ITOGON, Benguet — This mining town may need to undergo the most drastic change in its decadeslong history, and give up its reputation as “El Dorado,” the lost city of gold, according to European myth. Dubbed as the “Land of Golden Opportunities,” Itogon is one of three Benguet towns with vast gold deposits, which have been mined by both corporate and small-scale miners for more than a century. ADVERTISEMENTToday, Itogon is host to two of the country’s oldest gold mining companies—Benguet Corp. (founded in 1903) and Philex Mining Corp. (founded in 1955). The Itogon “gold fever” has lured people from neighboring towns and provinces. Most migrant miners from Ifugao used to plant “tinawon,” a premium rice variety grown once a year, said Ifugao Gov.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer September 22, 2018 21:33 UTC