Diving for Gold

Pinutan barangay in the Philippines is dubbed the underwater Klondike for the massive deposits of gold ore on the bottom of the ocean Since the 18th century companies tried to establish mining operations there but none succeeded they were driven away by typhoons landslides or lowprofit margins Ultimately the site was left for the locals Though mining needs a licence not having one doesnt stop gold divers from doing their job Nor do the immense risks diving poses to their health and the environment Many divers suffer from decompression sickness which sometimes leads to death In the meantime multiple tunnels they dig in the ocean floor in search of gold nuggets cause landslides Still it is the only way for the locals to earn enough for a daily serving of rice