Rangasa Advertises LG Product Despite SARA Boycott Call

Another evidence of Mr. Rangasa's turnaround on the issue of Rapu-Rapu mining is this photograph showing that he does not support the SARA call for boycott of LG products. Notice the LG brand of the flat screen he is using. The same equipment was last seen in his CIRCA office. The reader can validate the authenticity of this photograph by turning to Page 9 of the booklet "Championing Climate Change Adaptation the Albay Experience," published by CIRCA and the Philippine Network of Environmental Journalists, Inc. after a program with the same title was held on August 5 to 8, 2010. While SARA does not recommend the destruction of LG products bought before the launching of the boycott, CIRCA’s (or Rangasa’s) subsequent use of the photograph serves to endorse or advertise now that the campaign is on. Inadvertence cannot be used as defense because Rangasa is supposed to be circumspect about the implications of his acts.

"We do not see sincerity in CIRCA!" - SARA and Sagip Isla Sagip Kapwa

Joint Press Release

November 4, 2010

“We do not see sincerity in CIRCA!”- SARA and Sagip Isla Sagip Kapwa

Groups challenge LGUs to be more responsive to the environment, decries overkill in security preparations for the summit.

At a picket protest at the La Piazza Convention Center, the venue of the LGU Summit +3i, a multi-sectoral group questioned the sincerity of the sponsoring organization, the Center for Initiative and Research on Climate Change Adaptation (CIRCA) and challenged the local government units to walk their talk. The groups also decried the security overkill on the summit considering that the topic is about climate change. Police barricades were set up near the venue as well as in the Legazpi City Airport, these measures only goes to show the anti-people and anti-environment character of the summit, which it seems, is afraid of criticisms.

According to Virgilio Perdigon Jr., spokesperson of the Save Rapu-Rapu Alliance (SARA), “Is CIRCA really doing this for the environment, for the funds of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) or for the big mining companies to gain pogi points in the public eye? CIRCA’s Executive Director Manuel C. Rangasa even suggested during the October 11 meeting in preparation for the summit that Filminera, Goodfound Cement and Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project participate in the exhibit for climate change.” As of this writing, the DENR reported that Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project would not join the exhibit during the summit. However, the other two companies have not indicated any sign of withdrawing. Nevertheless, the mere suggestion to invite them to the climate change summit is way out of bounds.

“It is not only ironic. It is downright insulting. These companies are involved in the most destructive mining practices in the region, open pit mining chief among them. Have CIRCA and Mr. Rangasa sold their principles? The best practice that these companies can exhibit to help alleviate climate change is the immediate and total closure of their mines,” said Perdigon.

Antonio Casitas, head servant of SAGIP ISLA, said, “While it is good that summits like these are conducted it would be better if non-governmental organizations (NGOs) both in the grassroots and environmental institutions had been invited to have a more holistic view of the environmental problem we are facing. It would also be better if LGUs not only talk about climate change and disaster risk reduction but actually do something concrete about them.”

“In the short term they can issue resolutions banning deforestation and open pit mining in their areas of responsibility like here in Albay. This summit will come to naught if companies like LG International, Korea Resources, Goodfound Cement and Filminera continue their operation and destructive practices. It will be a slap on the face of Albay Governor Joey Salceda if CIRCA and Mr. Nong Rangasa will legitimize their environmental assault,” ended Casitas. # # #

Save Rapu-Rapu Alliance is formally cutting ties with Nong Rangasa, CIRCA Executive Director

Press Statement

We from the Save Rapu-Rapu Alliance (SARA) are proud that we have remained true to our name and pledge since our inception. We therefore protect and uphold our honor by being upright in both word and deed. We consider it an affront not just on the alliance but on our environmental advocacy as well when people formerly associated with us are now working as advocates of big mining companies that have devastated the island of Rapu-Rapu and other parts of the region.

It is in this light we are now formally cutting our ties with Mr. Manuel “Nong” Rangasa, currently the Executive Director of the Center for Initiatives and Research on Climate Change Adaptation (CIRCA) who has time and again tried to project himself as an environmental crusader but all the while maneuvering to win the graces of big transnational mining companies.

An evidence of Mr. Rangasa’s advocacy for mining companies was his suggestion during the meeting on October 11, 2010 in preparation for the LGU Summit +3i that mining companies namely Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project, Filminera, and Goodfound Cement Corporation be invited to exhibit their best practices on disaster risk reduction. These companies violate Commandment Number 7 of the Ten Commandments on Climate Change proudly flaunted by the Albay Provincial Government:

Thou shall not resort to open pit mining . . . to avert climate change.

Allowing mining companies that operate open pit mines is a mockery of the Provincial Government’s advocacy against climate change. It would cast doubt on its sincerity. Mr. Rangasa’s suggestion is an indication that CIRCA wants to legitimize the violation of Commandment Number 7. We believe that the best practice which these mining companies can showcase is the total and immediate closure of their mines in order that they may contribute to our campaign against climate change.

Mr. Virgilio S. Perdigon, Jr. objected to the suggestion but when he received the copy of the minutes of the meeting, he noted that his statements were deleted. This is the second time that an omission was committed against Mr. Perdigon by Mr. Rangasa. In the 2007 National Conference on Climate Change Adaptation, the former rendered a presentation in Workshop 7 titled “The Impact of Climate Change on the Poor and the Role of the Academe in Adaptation.” It was appreciated by noted environmentalists like Dr. Helen Mendoza and Sr. Aida Velasquez who attended the workshop. However, when Mr. Perdigon received a copy of the final report, the presentation was omitted. But being Mr. Rangasa’s friend he did not mind it.

But this time, attention must be called to this second instance of omission lest Mr. Perdigon and the whole SARA be a party to a disservice to our local community residents who are major stakeholders in the climate change issue. # # #