Metals production surged to P107B in ’09 but what do Rapu-Rapu residents get?

According to a Philippine Daily Inquirer business section article on December 30, 2009, “Metals production in the Philippines surged in 2009 as increase in metal prices coincided with expanded production of certain projects, according to officials at the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).”

Moreover, “MGB director Horacio Ramos said in an interview that metal production was valued at P107 billion, ‘which was 39 percent higher than last year,’ he said.”

“ ‘Among those who (sic) pushed production were Filminera and CGA Mining for the Masbate gold project, Atlas’ Carmen Copper Corp. in Cebu, Philsaga in Agusan, line 2 of Sumitomo’s Coral Bay project, Rapu-Rapu, and TVI’s copper production,’ Ramos said” (boldfacing supplied).

We ask: How much of that P107 billion went to people directly affected by mining operations? Particularly, how much did the people of Rapu-Rapu and surrounding areas suffering from severe fish catch decline get? Have the creeks of Rapu-Rapu become clean? Are the people of Rapu-Rapu and surrounding areas more prosperous because of higher metal production from the island?

The mining operation in Rapu-Rapu, as in other areas, was endorsed and approved by the government and some vested interests with the prospect that it would bring development. Peter Wallace, an Australian mining advocate, once asked in his column, “Where’s the pot of gold?” Good for him because now he can have his answer. We, in turn, ask: But where is the development?

Rapu-Rapu is one evidence of the grossly mistaken economic policies opening our country to mining companies with lip-service attention to environmental protection, attracting foreign investors instead of nurturing local entrepreneurs, favoring the production of goods which are not the basic needs of our people but are the luxuries of aliens, and promoting junior partnerships between politically powerful Filipinos and foreign big business interests at the expense of millions of poor and marginalized sectors.

Indeed, metal production rose by 39%, but what’s in it for the masses? For a tiny minority, maybe there are some windfall benefits. For the vast majority, however, there is nothing but more poverty.