The island of Rapu-Rapu in Albay, Philippines, is hostage to RRPP, formerly owned by Lafayette Mining Ltd of Australia, now taken over by LG & KORES of South Korea and MSC of Malaysia. Victim of compromised laws & corrupt government officials, the residents can only brace themselves for more ecological disasters & their effects: health problems, loss of land & livelihood, & uncertain future, UNLESS WE TAKE ACTION TO CLOSE THE RAPU-RAPU MINE.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Yes, Rapu-Rapu Mining is Responsible . . . for the extreme environmental damage and severe economic injustice in the island and surrounding areas
Lately, a couple of persons were seen roaming the city of Legazpi in T-shirts with the print We are for responsible mining and RRMI - Responsible mining at work. The title of this post is our curt reply.
Friday, September 24, 2010
BFAR V’s Amazing Ability to Contradict Itself
Being far from the truth seems not to be the sole expertise of BFAR V. That office is also capable of contradicting itself.
Remember that Regional Director Dennis V. Del Socorro declared to Bombo Radyo Legazpi that the sperm whale found near Carogcog, Rapu-Rapu died of old age. (See previous post.) Now comes a letter from the very same official stating, among others that:
“Due to the advance (sic) stage of decomposition, necropsy was not made to ascertain the cause of death.” (italics supplied)
This statement is the last sentence in paragraph 3 of the letter from Del Socorro dated September 6, 2010 addressed to Virgilio S. Perdigon, Jr., Secretary-General of Aquinas University of Legazpi, External Vice-President of Pangataman Bikol and Spokesperson of Save Rapu-Rapu Alliance. The letter is shown on the side bar.
How can a government official contradict himself through a public declaration and an official letter to a taxpayer? It is impossible to reconcile the two statements. The public must never be shortchanged by any government official who derives his salaries from taxpayer’s money.
The more important questions, however, remain: What is the actual condition of the waters around Rapu-Rapu? Could the sperm whale have died of heavy metal contamination? Is the mining operation on the island not the real cause of the death of the sperm whale and many other environmental damages ?
BFAR has the obligation to conduct an honest study and inform the people of Albay about the actual condition of the waters around Rapu-Rapu. If BFAR cannot do that, then its personnel do not earn their pay and, therefore, must resign their posts out of simple delicadeza.
Remember that Regional Director Dennis V. Del Socorro declared to Bombo Radyo Legazpi that the sperm whale found near Carogcog, Rapu-Rapu died of old age. (See previous post.) Now comes a letter from the very same official stating, among others that:
“Due to the advance (sic) stage of decomposition, necropsy was not made to ascertain the cause of death.” (italics supplied)
This statement is the last sentence in paragraph 3 of the letter from Del Socorro dated September 6, 2010 addressed to Virgilio S. Perdigon, Jr., Secretary-General of Aquinas University of Legazpi, External Vice-President of Pangataman Bikol and Spokesperson of Save Rapu-Rapu Alliance. The letter is shown on the side bar.
How can a government official contradict himself through a public declaration and an official letter to a taxpayer? It is impossible to reconcile the two statements. The public must never be shortchanged by any government official who derives his salaries from taxpayer’s money.
The more important questions, however, remain: What is the actual condition of the waters around Rapu-Rapu? Could the sperm whale have died of heavy metal contamination? Is the mining operation on the island not the real cause of the death of the sperm whale and many other environmental damages ?
BFAR has the obligation to conduct an honest study and inform the people of Albay about the actual condition of the waters around Rapu-Rapu. If BFAR cannot do that, then its personnel do not earn their pay and, therefore, must resign their posts out of simple delicadeza.