Environmental degradation in Rapu-Rapu, alarming

Noel Sales Barcelona
CBCPNews


QUEZON CITY, May 16, 2009—Natural resources, particularly marine and soil sources, are now depleting in Rapu-Rapu as mining operations continue in the area.

“People are fast losing their livelihood and food sources in the island. The extensive pollution and degradation of the local marine ecosystem and water sources in the area resulted in the drastic decrease in people’s income and livelihood. We believe that the main factor in this environmental degradation and pollution is the continuing massive release of mine wastes to the rivers of Rapu-rapu and Albay Gulf,” said Clemente Bautista Jr., national coordinator of the Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan-PNE), one of the organizations involved in the recently fact-finding mission on May 11 to 13, in a statement.

He said Barangay Carogcog, Tinopan, Viga and Buenavista are now experiencing rapid loss of coral reefs because of mine tailing being dumped in the water sources, thus resulting to loss of fish and other marine life.

“Residents of Brgy. Buenavista have estimated that they have already lost almost 50 percent of their coral reefs after Lafayette’s large-scale mining operation started in the island,” Bautista furthered.

Fernando Hicap, chairperson of the Pambansang Lakas ng Mamamalakaya sa Pilipinas o Pamalakaya, one of the largest fisher-folk organizations in the country said, fishermen have experienced an estimated fish catch loss of 80-90% since the Lafayette started throwing their unwanted refuse in the sea.

Pamalakaya is also one of the organizations who participated in the mission.

Hicap reported that malasugi or blue marlin, a type of tuna, in Albay Gulf are believed to have transferred away from Rapu-rapu Island because of the pollution and blasting for mining.

It is also observed, said Hicap, that there is a decrease on the number of some species of seashells and small fishes, endemic in the area.

Already, in 2007, the independent think-tank Ibon Foundation, Inc. has reported in their study that Rapu-Rapu mining operations have a negative impact on the local communities in terms of livelihood and their health.

Ibon has reported that there was a 30 to 70 percent decrease in income of fisher-folks after two years of operation of Lafayette mining.

“We have noted several cases of dermatological problems such as itchy lesions among the residents in several Barangays in Rapu-rapu. The residents told us that these dermatological problems started to surface since the start of large-scale mining in the area. They also reported an unusual increase in the occurrence of respiratory problems such as cough and colds in their community,” said Dr. Geneve Rivera, secretary general of Health Alliance for Democracy, who headed the medical team of the Solidarity Mission.

“This was aggravated by the lack of medical services in the area, considering that most of the residents are living under poverty line and they cannot afford to travel to Legazpi City or avail the services of a private hospital there, in Rapu-Rapu,” the medic said.

“Our situation is becoming worse every year. In order to arrest this, the local government should urgently suspend the operation of Lafayette, investigate the marine degradation in the area and immediately provide financial and food assistance to the poor communities of Rapu-rapu. Once and for all, the Arroyo government should listen to the people and immediately stop the large-scale mining in our beloved island,” said Antonio Casitas, leader of the local organization Sagip Isla, Sagip Kapwa.

Aside from Kalikasan-PNE, the Center for Environmental Concerns (CEC-Phils), Health Alliance for Democracy (Head), Community Medicine Development Foundation (COMMED), Peace for Life, Philippine Collegian, Bulatlat, AGHAM, Redemptorist Baclaran, Takaki Citizen Science Foundation, Friends of the Earth – Japan, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan)-Bikol, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP)-Bikol, UMALPASKA-Bikol, UMALPASKA-Camarines Norte, Bayan-Camarines Sur, Pamalakaya-Masbate, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU)-Bikol, ABAKA Catanduanes, Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay)-Bikol, CSPO, Bikol Express Multimedia, AMLDM, Rural Missionary of the Philippines and Sagip Isla, Sagip Kapwa have joined the mission. (Noel Sales Barcelona)