Text Messages from the Island

I received the following messages today, January 26, 2010 from someone attending the committee hearing of the Rapu-Rapu Municipal Council:

Today January 26, 2010 at 11 am concerned people of Poblacion and Morocborocan will be having a prayer rally/procession around Poblacion particularly in front of the Municipal Hall asking for the help of Our Lord not to let the mining (companies) operate in our (villages). Please help us pray.
09:20:15

I am here with Fr. Jay and people from the Social Action Center. Boring moment because the mining companies’ personnel are presenting . . . They are saying just one thing: they will mine the area. They say they will not mine yet but will only explore.
11:16:13

Somebody asked about the massive fishkill in November 2006 (sic). How would the companies explain it? The Mines and Geosciences Bureau responded in behalf of the miners.
12:10:18

The session is over. According to Councilor Galicia (Committee on Environment) and Councilor Baranda (Committee on Laws) they will follow the people’s will. They saw and know the previous impacts of mining. It’s election time. We hope they don’t sing a different tune afterwards. The people have only one clamor: no more exploration; no to mining!
12:47:00