MGB Bicol bares accomplishments for 2009

Patting themselves on the back for a job well done... putting mining over the environment

MGB Bicol may harp its checklist accomplishments but it could never shake off its image as Lafayette/RRMI handlers. Consider what they have done to Rapu-Rapu:

1. The MGB turned the much publicized 2006 test run (Angelo Reyes: "You fail it, I close it".) into a tutorial run, going out of the way to make sure the mining firm pass the so-called test.

2. The company "failed" in many respects during the much publicized 2006 test run. The volume of polluting mineral contents in bodies of water surrounding the mine was found to be off the charts. A fish kill happened in July 2007, in the middle of the test run. Yet MGB declared the company to have passed the test on the strength of a highly questionable "expert" opinion. An opinion that was roundly & soundly criticized by the expert's former mentor.

3. What Multipartite Monitoring Team is MGB talking about in Rapu-Rapu when credible stakeholders shun membership in the much-distrusted MMT?

4. We still could not forget how the MGB whitewashed the investigation as to the cause of the 2007 fish kill in Rapu-Rapu, how they suppressed evidence, how they would not explain their findings to the public. We never heard about the final repot of the investigation after their anomalous initial report that was made public via the Albay Provincial Board.

5. MGB's main task in Rapu-Rapu is to help ensure the continued operations of the mine. It trumpets its accomplishments at the expense of the environment.

6. Most likely MGB will include its endorsing RRMI's mining exploration of Poblacion and Morocborocan among their accomplishment for 2010. Can't you see it? It is already Poblacion we are talking about, the center of the island, where practically everybody resists the mine and where pro-mining politicians don't win in the elections.

We simply cannot buy your "we are just doing our job" line. There ought to be more to your being public servants than simply signing papers following a checklist.

MGB RO V, if you disagree with our conclusions, we would love to hear your side. But please do not use the perennial lame excuse: "We are just following orders from above."

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MGB Bicol bares accomplishments for 2009

Legazpi City (11 February) -- The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in Bicol has disclosed Monday (February 8) its major accomplishments for calendar year 2009 ensuring safety, health and environmental commitments of mining industry and measures to mitigate the implication of geologic hazards.

Engr. Reynulfo Juan, MGB Bicol regional director, told PIA News service that the agency has successful organized a total of 15 Capacity-Building Seminars of Geologic Hazard Awareness and Disaster Preparedness in the municipalities of Bulan, Sta. Magdalena, Matnog, Prieto Diaz and Castilla in Sorsogon; Pili, Ocampo and Tigaon in Camarines Sur; and Rapu-Rapu, Sto. Domingo, Bacacay, Malilipot, Tiwi, Tabaco City and Malinao in Albay.

During said seminars, local disaster manager and residents as well were briefed on the concept of geologic hazards, occurrence, areas prone to these hazards, reading and interpreting geo-hazard maps.

Juan said that the stakeholders were given information on how they could make use of the maps for preparedness planning, how to prepare and what to do during the occurrence of geologic hazards like flood and landslide.

MGB Bicol also distributed posters and flyers on flood and landslides hazards, geo-hazard maps with corresponding risk reduction, preparedness and mitigation measures

The bureau also turned over DVDs containing motion pictures on Living with Geologic Hazards and Community Based Flood Early Warning System.

A total of 408 barangays and 1,213 participants benefited from the capacity building seminar.

The bureau spearheaded Geo-hazard Identification Surveys to at least five subdivision/land development projects in Albay, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur.

The bureau also had detailed investigation of areas threatened by landslides and other geologic hazards in Casiguran, Magallanes and Bacon in Sorsogon and in Bato, Catanduanes.

On mining, MGB Bicol regularly monitored the safety, health and environmental commitments of three active large-scale mines in the region, namely Ibalong Resources and Development Corporation, Rapu-Rapu Minerals Incorporated and Filminera Resources Corporation.

It investigated and resolved a total of 12 complaints, cases and conflicts involving illegal treasure hunting in Mt. Isarog National Park and Pacol in Naga City, all in Camarines Sur; seizure of MV Tina by the Esperanza (Masbate) Municipal Bantay Dagat Task Force suspected to be loaded with sand materials; alleged illegal magnetite sand extraction in the municipalities of Bulusan, Magallanes and Gubat including the reported extraction in Matnog, all in Sorsogon; against mining operation of Uni-Dragon Mining Corporation in Camarines Norte; alleged illegal small-scale mining within the watershed area in Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte; alleged mining activities in Libmanan, Camarines Sur; alleged siltation caused by Konka-Fulim Mining and Development Corporation in Paracale, Camarines Norte; and alleged extraction of Ara-al (dimension stones) in Sangay, Albay.

At least 25 mining rights or permits holders, including Rapu-Rapu Minerals Incorporated, Trans-Asia, Masbate Phils. Incorporated, Filminera Resources Corporation, Johnson Gold Mining Corporation, United Paragon Mining Corporation, Uni-Dragon, OroPhil and Nena Pimentel were validated to ensure compliance to policies of activities undertaken within the area of their operation.

The bureau also monitored the compliance to safety, health, environment and social programs during exploration, development and operation stage of Ibalong Resources and Development Corporation in Camalig, Albay; Rapu-Rapu Minerals Incorporated in Rapu-Rapu, Albay; UBS Marketing Corporation in Legazpi City and Filminera Resources Corporation in Masbate.

Lastly, MGB Bicol implemented measures to strengthen the Multi-Partite Monitoring Teams (MMTs) for Ibalong Resources and Development Corporation (IRDC) in Palanog, Camalig, Albay; Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project in Rapu-Rapu, Albay and Filminera Resources Corporation in Masbate to monitor these mining companies' environmental and social commitments. (MGB V/PIA)