SAVE RAPU-RAPU. SAVE OUR FUTURE.

OPPOSE THE CONTINUING ONSLAUGHT ON THE EARTH

“I brought you into a fertile land to eat its fruit and rich produce. But you came and defiled my land and you made my inheritance detestable.” (Jeremiah 2:7)

We, the Ecumenical Bishops Forum (EBF), express alarm over the wanton abuse of natural resources by the Transnational Mining Corporations (TNCs) with their local cohorts in South Luzon Region, especially in Bicol. The experience of the Bicolano people is no different from the plight of local communities in mining areas throughout the country: massive environmental destruction, shrinking economic base of the people, militarization of mining communities, displacement of communities due to land-grabbing and unjust land-conversion, gross human rights violations, destruction of flora and fauna, and further impoverishment of the country. The unresolved and ever continuing polymetallic mining operations in Rapu-Rapu Island, Albay, Labo, Paracale, and Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte, the aggressive mine expansion in Aroroy, Masbate by Filminera Resources Corp., the peculiar magnetite off-shore mining in Camarines Sur by Bogo Mining Resources Corp; the Palanog Cement Plant in Albay, Panganiban and San Andres, Catanduanes, and the deeper quagmire of maldevelopment of mining in Matnog, Sorsogon challenge us to rethink our role as responsible God’s stewards of creation ( Genesis 1: 26-31 ).

Destructive mining is blatantly unethical, unjust, and senseless for it exacerbates poverty, causes dislocation of livelihood of the people, and even threatens the base of life and life itself.

It is lamentable that the national government equates TNC mining with development, and is remiss in its duties in protecting the environment to the detriment of the people. It has been proven that the negative costs of mining operations far outweigh the gains.

Thus, to further liberalize the mining industry in favour of the mining corporations as being trumpeted by the Aquino administration will mean more suffering and death, dislocation, displacement and ruin of the environment.

Hence we call on the Filipino people:

1. To oppose all destructive mining operations, both locally or foreign-owned;

2. To scrap the Mining Act of 1995;

3. To demand immediate moratorium of large scale mining

4. To demand the demilitarization of mining communities

5. To fight for justice and integrity of creation;

6. To pass the HB 4315 or the Peoples’ Mining Bill

We urge our churches and faith-based groups and institutions to pursue organizing, awareness building, and other relevant activities, and be in full solidarity with the people’s movement against destructive mining operations.

With the liberating power of the Holy Spirit, we seek strength and wisdom to carry this task of asserting the right of the earth to survive and all that dwell therein.

Ecumenical Bishops Forum

October 6, 2011

DA Reports Rise in Fish Catch But Not in Albay Gulf

In the July 12-18, 2011 issue of Diario Veritas, the Department of Agriculture reported:

Nahilingan nin senyales nin pag-asenso an sector nin pagsisira sa paagi kan pagiging aktibo kan mga regional fishing ports sa primerong quarto kan taon.

Ipinahayag nin Rodolfo Paz, an general manager kan Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA), an mga dakop kan sira an nagtaas nin maabot sa 93 porsyento sa Navotas, Iloilo, asin Sual, Pangasinan.

Siring man an nanotaran sa Davao Fish Port Complex na nagkaigwa man na 40% na pagdakul nin dakop kumparadosa dakop kan mga parasira sa kaparehong peryodo kan nakaaging taon.

Katakod kaini, pinag-engganyar kan DA an gabos na local na gobyerno sa nasyon na pakusugon an industriya nina pagsisira partikular sa aspeto kan environmental protection asin pagbukod sa mga ilegal na mga parasira.

Nakaabot kaya an report sa DA na rampante an paggamit nin mga dinamitakan mga parasira sa nagkakapirang kostal na lugar kan nasyon kun saen saro kan naunambitan digdi iyo an rehiyon Bikol.

At least two points are implied in this report. First, there are rises in fish catch in several areas of the country but not in Albay Gulf. Second, the DA blames all declines in fish catch on environmental degradation “and” illegal fishing.

On the first implication: Why is there no report of any rise in fish catch in Albay Gulf? The answer is obvious: there is in fact a precipitous decline as attested to by fishermen. A 95% decline has been reported here since 2005 the same year when Lafayette went into full operation. Why is there such a decline? We have referred that question to the DA and its line bureau BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources) but no answer has ever been given. (They have not even reported any investigation conducted on the cause of death of a 15-meter sperm whale in 2010.)

We have ascribed the decline to mining in Rapu-Rapu from which flow several creeks that are discolored. Officials of Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project reply that fish catch decline is a global phenomenon (technical meeting on April 26, 2011 in EMB). Now, we have here a rebuttal to that defense - the DA report of fish catch rise in at least four areas. Fish catch decline is not a global phenomenon.

On the second implication: Since DA reports rises in fish catch in four areas of the country and calls for curtailment of illegal fishing, then it follows that after curtailing illegal fishing we can observe a rise in fish catch. In Albay Gulf, the Bantay Dagat, a local watch group against illegal fishing, has been very active in this campaign. However, the fish catch decline continues. Couple this observation with the fact that the DA confirms the presence of a fish sanctuary in Gaba Bay, Villahermosa, Rapu-Rapu . With a fish sanctuary and active campaign against illegal fishing, fish population should increase within one or two seasons but this does not happen. Hence, illegal fishing cannot be the cause. Again, we are led to the more obvious – the mining operation in Rapu-Rapu.

It should be pointed out that much of the fish catch in the past according to fishermen consisted of migratory fish from the Pacific Ocean – yellowfin tuna, kwaw, malasugi, tanguigue, sharks, etc. These species do not need the local breeding grounds in Albay Gulf to multiply. They spawn in the areas around Guam and come to Albay Gulf to feed seasonally. They pass through the gap between Rapu-Rapu and Prieto Diaz following the current. Since 2005, the catch of these species has consistently declined. Something is barring their path in that gap and that something is none other than the contamination of silt and heavy metals flowing from the mine site through the creeks and ultimately to the waters around Rapu-Rapu. The current carries the contaminants into the Albay Gulf and spreads them as the tide flows back out into the Philippine Sea.

Any way we look at the phenomenon in Albay Gulf, the glaring fact is that mining has adversely affected our food supply. Between fishing where we derive 100% of the benefits and Rapu-Rapu mining where were derive only 1/3 of 1% (according to the statement of Gov. Joey Salceda in the Philippine Daily Inquirer on March 28, 2011), we have to choose the former.

The same issue of Diario Veritas banners the headline “City secures fish trade.” It reports the plan of the Legazpi City Council “to beef up the local fishing industry through stern legislation . . . Councilor Carlos Ante had already invited the different leaders of the local fisher folk to lay out details of a proposed ordinance to secure their livelihood.” I laud the efforts of the good councilor. However, I suggest that a more comprehensive view of the problem be taken if it is ever intended to be solved. As management theory suggests, any solution should address the real cause of the problem. Limiting the analysis within the immediate vicinity of the city’s coastal waters will lead to a failure at solution.

Not too long ago, we learned that several city councilors led by then Mayor Noel Rosal visited the Rapu-Rapu mine. In the newsletter of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Foresight, he was quoted as follows: “The mine is full of promise for the province” (Pages 9 and 11). I wrote Hon. Rosal in November 2010 (by then he had become the City Administrator) attaching photographs of the creeks colored brown, red, yellow and orange. I asked if the tour guides brought his group to the creeks. It’s September 2011 and I still have to receive a reply. I also wrote to MGB V and EMB V. Both replied that the contamination in the creeks is within “tolerable levels.”

RRMI, RRPI, LG, Kores and MSC should not think that they have succeeded in convincing the local community in their claim that the mine is operated responsibly and that the benefits they have derived translate to sustainable development of the people. The condition of the creeks, the fish catch decline and the poverty prevailing in the island all speak eloquently of the truth. Environmental damage and economic injustice have worsened. Adding insult to injury, they have praised themselves through press releases about their environmental awards while the residents of Rapu-Rapu and the fishermen of Albay Gulf continue to suffer. The contamination in the creeks may be within “tolerable levels” in the standards of the DENR but the poverty of the island residents, the fish catch decline and the environmental damage are definitely intolerable in the standards of the local community.

The DA, BFAR, DENR, Legazpi City Council, other local government units and other authorities better look into Rapu-Rapu mining honestly if they really want to solve the problem of fish catch decline in Albay Gulf. Anything less than that would not be in keeping with the public trust reposed in them.

September 4, 2011

Mining Engineers’ Conference in Legazpi City blind to local residents’ plight!

On July 13 to 15, 2011 some 300 mining engineers converged in Legazpi City for their Bicol regional conference. This event is unfortunate because it projects the impression that mining engineers are blind to the plight of their fellow Filipinos suffering from the environmental damage and economic injustice wrought by mining companies.

We remind the Provincial Government of Albay about the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution 2011-020 issued on March 8, 2011 banning all future mining activities in the province. It should have shown consistency by expressing disfavor against the convention.

We rebuke the City Government of Legazpi for going against the sentiments of Albayanos against the continued destruction of our environment. The city has recently manifested its inability to walk the talk. In Mount Bariw, Barangay Estanza, a large swath of hillside is severely denuded yet it has done nothing. The silt from the denudation has flowed to Barangay Pinaric where it is several inches thick. In Embarcadero, large volumes of floating garbage greet the citizens whenever they go for a leisurely stroll along the boulevard. The city government has been so preoccupied with pleasing tourists but compromised the welfare of local residents who voted them into office and pay millions in taxes. Tourists bring in income but that income is just a means towards providing better living conditions for local residents. The means cannot be exchanged for the end. If the welfare of citizens is disadvantaged by the city government’s preoccupation with pleasing tourists, then it is time to withdraw the trust reposed in them during election.

The hosting of the mining engineers’ convention in Legazpi is a misstep of the city government. It betrays a failure to understand genuine environmental advocacy. While the city brags about its sanitary landfill, it fails to prove its pro-environment agenda by making a prominent endorsement of mining as a stimulant of progress. While we need products derived from mining, we insist that it should be done in the right place and the right manner. That is what responsible mining is all about. So far, however, all claims of responsible mining by many companies are nothing but hot air because of the evident damage wrought on their surroundings like what is happening in Rapu-Rapu, Aroroy, Palanog, Matnog, Paracale, Catanduanes, Caramoan, etc.

They say, if we do not want mining then we should not use the products of that industry. They are dead wrong. We want mining that does not destroy the environment. We want mining that reserves the natural resources of the Philippines for Filipinos. We want mining that spreads the fruits of development to the masses and not only to the foreign investors and their local junior partners.

We want mining that does not sacrifice our agriculture so that we protect our own food supply. Mining generally provides for non-basic needs while agriculture produces our most basic needs like food, clothing, shelter and livelihood. While mining generates a few temporary jobs, agriculture provides long-term sources of income thus genuinely assuring sustainable development.

We call on all mining engineers to support our notion of genuinely responsible mining. In view of the bad record of mining in Bicol, we ask them not to project the impression that they condone what is happening here contrary to declarations by the DENR, MGB, EMB and companies that all is well in Bicol mining. Bicol is severely suffering from the impacts of mining and the statements of the aforementioned entities are belied when we see the plight of the farmers and fishermen and the condition of our mountains, rivers, creeks and seas.

So in their visit to Rapu-Rapu today, they should make an objective assessment on the effects of mining in the island and its residents and not make it a mere field trip. They should talk to the people to know the real impact of RRPP on their lives. They tell us nothing but misery and deepening poverty. While the project heaps billions upon the foreign investors and their local junior partners, it brings “Lilliputian” benefits to the residents of the island and severe fish catch decline in Albay Gulf on which depend some 14,000 fishermen. Today, there is no more fish to catch in the gulf.

In 2010, the project earned P11.7 billion but according to Gov. Joey Salceda himself the province got a social fund of P41.71 million or a measly one-third (1/3) of 1%! If that is not enough, one can look at the creeks flowing from the mine site to the sea. They are colored yellow, orange, red and brown.

We ask the delegates to the mining conference to wake up to realities and not be deceived by the lies of those who support mining operations in Bicol.

July 19, 2011

RRPP’s Awards - Rubbing Salt on the People’s Injury

The DENR recently awarded the Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project with the Saringaya Award while the Pollution Control Association of the Philippines, Inc gave it the Mother Nature Award. RRPP also boasts of other “awards” for its alleged “safe and responsible mining” in the island. The project’s executives also claim that they have “raised” the living standards of the host communities.

As the cliché goes, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. One needs only to go to the island and talk to the people to know the real impact of RRPP on their lives. They tell nothing but misery and deepening poverty. While the project heaps billions upon the foreign investors and their local junior partners, it brings “Lilliputian” benefits to the residents of the island and severe fish catch decline in Albay Gulf on which depend some 14,000 fishermen. Today, there is no more fish to catch in the gulf.

In 2010, the project earned P11.7 billion but according to Gov. Joey Salceda himself the province got a social fund of P41.71 million or a measly one-third (1/3) of 1%! If that is not enough, one can look at the creeks flowing from the mine site to the sea. They are colored yellow, orange, red and brown. Challenged to prove his belief in the reports of the Multi-partite Monitoring Team by bathing in the creeks on schedules and sites set by SARA, Director Reynulfo Juan of MGB V, showed photos of people perching on rocks in the discolored creeks on dates and sites they themselves chose. Challenged by SARA to withdraw the armed CAFGUs and allow free access and surprise visits to the creeks, Engr. Rogelio Corpus, President of RRMI, replied that they cannot allow such because they “have to protect their interests.” Hence, the interests of the environment and those of RRPP are contradictory.

The executives of RRPP can go on deluding themselves with fantastic claims of “safe and responsible mining” in Rapu-Rapu but the truth is well-known to the people who suffer much from the environmental damage and economic injustice attendant to the project. The emperor’s new clothes are well-praised by the award-giving bodies. One day, the truth will prevail and the awards will instead shatter their credibility. There is time under heaven for everything, says the Bible. Today, in the island of Rapu-Rapu and villages dependent on Albay Gulf, the people are groaning in pain. The awards are salt rubbed on their wounds while RRPP’s supporters have their photo-ops and raise their toasts of wine in fine dining. We believe that the day will come when, after being denied for so long, the people shall claim justice and RRPP’s awards will go to the dustbin.

July 18, 2011

Noon at Ngayon, Walang Responsableng Dayuhang Pagmimina sa Kabikolan!

Ang nagaganap na 1st Bicol Mining Conference mula Hulyo 13-15, 2011 dito sa Bikol (La Piazza Hotel) sa pangunguna ng MGB-V/DENR-V at ng Phil. Society of Mining Engineers ay isa na namang masamang pangitain para sa mamamayang Bikolano. Pag-uusapan na naman ng ahensya ng MGB-5 at DENR-5 kasama ang mga dayuhang korporasyon sa pagmimina kung paano pa uubusin ang yamang mineral ng Kabikolan, wawasakin ang kabundukan, karagatan at kalupaan ng Bikol.

Kahiya-hiya at malakas pa ang loob na ang itinakdang tema ng kumperensyang magaganap ay: Towards Responsible Mining: “Against All Odds”. Responsable para kanino? - Para sa mga malalaki at dayuhang korporasyon sa pagmimina kasama ng mga malalaking lokal na negosyante at para sa mga matataas na opisyales ng gobyerno at ahensya na nakikipagsabwatan sa mga korporasyong ito.

Kalokohang sabihin na ang operasyon na Open Pit Mining sa Rapu-Rapu, Albay (Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project ng Lafayette/LG-Kollins) at sa Aroroy, Masbate (Masbate Gold Project ng Filminera Resources Corporation) ay responsable! Mayroon bang pagpapasabog (blasting) ng kabundukan at kalupaan na “safe and environmental friendly”? Samantalang winawasak nga at hinuhukay pailalim.

Hindi rin responsable ang Magnetite Offshore Mining ng Bogo Mining Resources Corp. sa limang bayan ng Calabanga, Sipocot, Tinambac, Cabusao at Siruma sa Camarines Sur kung saan hahalukayin ang kailaliman ng karagatan 15 kilometro mula sa baybayin nito.

Hindi kailanman naging responsable ang mga dayuhang korporasyon ng pagmimina sa mga naapektuhan ng kanilang mga operasyon. Simula ng operasyon ng RRPP sa Rapu-Rapu ay lalong lumala ang kahirapan at nagkagutom-gutom ang mga residente dito dahil sa pagbagsak ng kanilang kabuhayan sa pangingisda at pagsasaka dulot ng mga lason ng pagmimina dito. Kung mayroong nakinabang sa binayad ng RRPP na P10,862.85 (mine waste fee) para sa 217,257 tonelada na “mine waste” ay ang MGB-V. (mula sa ulat ng MGB-V,2010). Sampung libong piso! Katumbas ba ito ng isang buhay ng nanay na namatay dahil nakakain ng isda dahil sa fishkill doon o ng isang batang namatay doon dahil sa kagutuman?

Apektado na nga ang mga residente sa pagmimina sa Barangay Nakalaya, Jose Panganiban sa Camarines Norte ay naiipit pa sila ngayon sa kaguluhan at away ng Investwell Corporation at ng FMCGI ng pamilyang Fonacier na nag-aagawan ng yamang mineral ng kanilang lugar.

Kasinungalingang ipamaglaki pa sa ulat ng DENR-V/MGB-V na ang malakihang pagmimina sa Kabikolan ang nagpasigla ng ekonomiya ng rehiyon samantalang ayon sa ulat ay nasa ikalawa sa pinakamahirap na rehiyon ang Bikol sa buong bansa. Kung sinasabi na umunlad ang ekonomiya ng Bikol dahil sa malakihang pagmimina – hindi ito maramdaman ng mga mamamayang Bikolano lalo na ng mga apektado ng mapaminsala at dayuhang pagmimina.

Tanging ang mga malalaki at dayuhang korporasyon sa pagmimina kasama ng mga malalaking lokal na negosyante at mga matataas na opisyales ng gobyerno at ahensya na nakikipagsabwatan sa mga korporasyong ito ang nakikinabang sa mga produkto at kita ng pagmimina dito sa Bikol. Sa ulat ng MBG-V/DENR-V noong 2010, sa kabuuan ay may P4,654,818,424.31 at P57,483,032.45 na kita mula sa “metallic ” at “non-metallic production”dito sa Bikol ayon sa pagkasunod-sunod ngunit hindi naman inulat ang mga dambuhala at limpak na limpak na kita ng mga korporasyon na maluwag na inilalabas patungo sa kanilang bansa. Maluwag nang nailalabas ang kita, maluwag pa ang kanilang operasyon dahil sa mga iba’t-ibang insentibo tulad ng: 6 years income tax exemption, 10 years export tax exemption, and import tax exemption at marami pang iba.

Kaya nga parang parang kabuteng nagsulputan ang mga ito sa Bikol dahil sa pagiging sagana ng rehiyon sa yamang mineral at prayoridad pa ng nakaraang gobyerno ni GMA ito para sa malakihang proyektong pagmimina na ipinagpapatuloy lamang ng gobyerno ni Noynoy Aquino at pinasahol pa sa ilalim ng kanyang Public-Private Partnership Program. Gayundin, patuloy ang pag-iral ng Mining Act of 1995 kung saan ay lalong nagbuyangyang sa ating likas na yaman para dambungin at wasakin ang ating kalikasan.

“Towards Responsible Mining: Against All Odds” ? - Ang responsableng pagmimina ay mangyayari lamang sa ating bansa kung magkakaroon ng re-oryentasyon ang industriya ng pagmimina sa ating bansa. Kung saan, ang kita ng industriya ng pagmimina ay napapakinabangan at napapaunlad ang mamamayang Pilipino at hindi napupunta sa dayuhan at sa mga lokal na kasabwat nito. Kung saan, ang gobyerno ang may kontrol ng industriya at hindi ang mga dayuhan.

Hindi dayuhang pagmimina at malawakang kumbersyon ng lupa ang magpapaunlad sa Kabikolan. Hindi ito ang sagot sa kahirapan at kagutuman ng mamamayang Bikolano. Pagpapaunlad ng agrikultura, trabaho at sapat na sahod, tirahan, libreng serbisyo-sosyal ang tutugon sa kahirapan at kagutuman upang mabuhay ng maayos at marangal ang mamamayang Bikolano. Tunay na Reporma sa Lupa at Pambansang Industriyalisasyon lamang ang magpapaunlad sa bansa at rehiyon.

UMALPAS-KA

Hulyo 13, 2011

A Word of Caution

There is another blogsite posing as SAVE RAPU-RAPU with address http://saverapu-rapu.blogspot.com. (Note the DASH.) That site is a deception. Even our design is imitated. The obvious motive is to confuse our readers. Our address has NO DASH between the words "rapu" and "rapu." Our site was first posted on December 3, 2007; theirs, on April 14, 2008. Hence, we are first in going online with this URL and design. We learned about the other site only recently. The apologists of the mining operation in the island can go to this and other lengths just to sow confusion. Deceptive tactics are a disservice to readers and only reveal the desperation of the pro-Rapu-Rapu mining group. Our readers are, therefore, warned.

Matthew 7:16 - You will know them by what they do. Thorn bushes do not bear grapes, and briers do not bear figs.

Matthew 7:20 - So then, you will know the false prophets by what they do.

The creeks are crucial to the condition of fishing grounds

around Rapu-Rapu. They connect the mine site to Albay Gulf. The current severe decline in fish catch in the gulf is blamed on the mining operation in Rapu-Rapu. The decline started in 2005 as reported by fishermen; that's the same year when Lafayette began full operation. That is also the same year when the first two major fishkills started (October 11 and 31). The toxic spills came from the mine site and reached the surrounding body of water via the creeks. The contamination in those creeks will always damage the corral reefs in Albay Gulf. The effluent coming out of the mouths of the creeks prevents the entry of migratory fish from the Pacific Ocean into the gulf.

The joke is that there will no longer be any fishkill - because there are no more fish to kill.

The fish that allegedly died off the coasts of Linao and Binosawan during the fishkill reported by island residents and the parish on May 8, 2011 could be the migratory species from the Pacific Ocean attempting to enter Albay Gulf via the gap between Rapu-Rapu and Prieto Diaz. Linao is a village facing the ocean and Binosawan, the gap.

The MGB V Photographs and "Bathing" in the Creeks of Rapu-Rapu

MGB V Director Reynulfo A. Juan wrote to SARA Spokesperson Virgilio S. Perdigon, Jr. on April 15, 2011:

"With reference to your challenge to take a bath in the creeks, we have done just that. some members of the MMT and personnel of Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project (RRPP) went to a picnic and took a bath at Pagcolbon Creek on March 29 and April 3, 2011. We are attaching pictures for your reference. These pictures indicate the current status of the creeks."

In reply, Mr. Perdigon writes:

The good Director says he believes the contamination data but he is not among those “bathing.” Someone is shown sitting on the rocks (obviously not bathing) but the face is not recognizable (number 10).

While this Mayon creek is almost crystal clear, yellowish coloration is evident in the creeks emanating from the mine site in Rapu-Rapu photographed by MGB V. The MMT report is silent about results of sampling for heavy metals and freshwater organisms. Allowing us free access and surprise visits would have revealed if there are even snails in the creeks. The armed guards under the Special CAFGU Active Auxiliary (SCAA) base are very strong evidence that something is being hidden in the Rapu-Rapu creeks.

Then and Now: What Difference? What Improvement in the Creeks?

According to RRPP, the coloration of the creeks has improved. However, during the Technical Conference with the Environment Management Bureau Region V and Save Rapu-Rapu Alliance on April 26, Engr. Rogelio Corpus, President of RRMI, said that the difference between the pictures then and now is not significant. He requested the Presiding Officer, Engr. Henry Lopez of EMB V, for permission to present RRPP pictures taken on April 25. The RRPP pictures, however, cannot be verified independently because the mining companies do not want "free access and surprise visits" to the creeks. They do not want to withdraw the armed guards "to protect their interests." As an environmentalist organization, SARA wants to protect the environment. It follows that the interests of RRPP are contrary to those of the environment.

Below, we are presenting ALL pictures in the Annex to the EMB V Investigation Report dated March 8-10, 2011. Those on the left are the pictures we have been showing to authorities which were taken from 2006 to 2009; those on the right are alleged to have been taken in the same spots on March 8 to 10, 2011 by EMB V and the mining companies. You be the judge if there is any improvement.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Speak Out: We Support the Alternative Mining Bill

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Alternative Law Groups Inc.

WE, the Alternative Law Groups (ALG) Inc., a coalition of twenty (20) legal-resource non-government organizations, express our support for the passage into law of the Alternative Mining Bill.

We are alarmed at the worsening state of mining practices in the country and the scale though which the government pushes for the revitalization of the mining industry.

We have witnessed the destructive effects of mining on human and other life forms – violations of peoples’ rights, fish kill, environmental destruction, pollution, and effects on health including HIV and Aids – which are glaringly illustrated in the cases of Canatuan in Zamboanga del Norte, in the communities in Benguet and the wasted rivers of Marinduque.

We recognize that the destruction that mining causes do not only wreak havoc on our environment, but also across the concerns of the various basic sectors whom we work with: the farmers, the fisherfolk, indigenous peoples, women and children, labour and the local governments.

We believe that there is a need to challenge the government’s misrepresentations that mining is the solution to the economic and social woes of this country.

We believe that there is a need to challenge the government’s misrepresentations regarding the benefits of mining, as well as the law and policy framework on which these premises were based.

We condemn and call for the scrapping of the Mineral Action Plan of the current administration which seeks to facilitate the approval of all kinds of mining permit applications in the shortest time possible that threaten the human and resource tenure rights of the poor and marginalized sectors that have long been ignored by the government.

We commit to contribute, as a coalition, what we can to uphold the rights of the poor and the marginalized, and achieve a more ecologically sound, gender-fair, equitable system of resource management in the country.

The ALG members are: Albert Schweitzer Association Philippines, Inc. (Asap); Alternative Law Research and Development Center (Alterlaw); Ateneo Human Rights Center (AHRC); Balay Alternative Legal Advocates for Development in Mindanaw (Balaod Mindanaw), Children’s Legal Bureau (CLB); Environmental Legal Assistance Center (Elac); EngenderRights Inc. (Engenderights); Free Rehabilitation, Economic, Education and Legal Assistance Volunteer Association Inc. (Freelava); Kaisahan Tungo sa Kaunlaran ng Kanayunan at Repormang Pansakahan (Kaisahan); Kanlungan Center Foundation Inc. (Kanlungan); Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center Inc.-Kasama sa kalikasan – Friends of the Earth Philippines (LRC-ksk-FOE); Tanggapang Panligal ng Katutubong Pilipino (Panlipi); Panglilingkod Batas Pangkapatiran Foundation (PBPF); Pilipina Legal Resources Center (PLRC); Participatory Research Organization of Communities and Education Towards Struggle for Self-Reliance-Panay (Process-Panay); Sentro ng Alternatibong Lingap Panligal (Saligan); Tanggol Kalikasan (TK); Tebtebba Indigenous Peoples’ International Center for Policy Research and Education (Tebtebba); Women’s Legal Bureau (WLB); Women’s Legal Education, Advocacy and Defense Foundation Inc. (Womenlead).

(ALG may be reached at balaodmindanaw@gmail.com)

Time for a New Mining Law, Stop the Rape and Plunder of our Natural Resources

13 May 2009

Today, the Alternative Mining Bill will be filed in Congress to replace the existing anti-Filipino and foreign friendly Mining Act of 1995.

It is high time the Mining Act of 1995 (R.A. 7942) be scrapped that has become so disadvantageous to the the welfare of Philippine economy and the Filipino people.

Mining revitalisation program – a land grabbing tool

The government’s mining revitalisation programme, sadly became a land grabbing tool by mining companies, encroaching and displacing indigenous peoples and rural poor in the countryside. Mining has brought more problems in the already impoverished rural communities; fertile agricultural lands were bulldozed and wasted just to extract the minerals that will only be exported for the huge profit of transnational mining corporations.

FTAA and MPSA – a badge to commit Human Rights Violations

The Financial and Technical Assistance Agreements (FTAA’s) and Mineral Production Sharing Agreements (MPSA’s) given by the government to mining companies became like a badge of a ‘scallywag’ police. Displacing indigenous peoples and rural communities – demolishing their houses as in the case of the Ifugao and Hinaki tribes in Didipio, Nueva Viscaya and Tubay, Agusan de Sur; harassment and killings of anti-mining activists done by goons and private armies of mining companies, and with strong suggestions that the military are condoning these acts. A strong accusation with credibility considering that the government initiated the creation of the ‘investment defence force’ to provide security to mining investments against the opposition of the people.

Rape and plunder

The negative impacts of mining are proven to destroy not just the environment but the livelihood and welfare of the people as well. Marinduque island province suffered the worst ever mining disaster done by Marcopper mining. Marcopper destroyed the two major rivers in the island that until now contains the toxic mine tailings that no living organisms were able to survive up to this day.

Mining has been done for more than 40 years in the island province of Marinduque but it remained a fourth class municipality and one of the poorest province in the country. Marcopper left the people in misery with their toxic wastes and unpaid billions of pesos in taxes due to the local government of Marinduque.

A New and Nationalist oriented mining law

The Alternative Mining Bill should be passed into law to protect our remaining natural resources. The Alternative Mining Bill recognises the importance of utilising our mineral resource and to use the same in building our own basic industries – our export oriented and import dependent economy has driven the Philippine economy to more debts and poverty.

The time is now to end the rape and plunder of our country.

ENACT THE ALTERNATIVE MINING BILL!

STOP THE PLUNDER OF OUR NATURAL RESOURCES; SCRAP THE MINING ACT OF 1995!

For more information please contact us: Ronald A. Gregorio (Campaigns Officer, Legal Rights & Natural Resources Centre); 926-4409; 434 4079, 41-B Mapagsangguni St. , Sikatuna Village , Quezon City

Civil society challenges government promotion of mining with filing of new mining bill

Legal Rights Natural Resources Centre

May 13, 2009

Quezon City, Philippines–Indigenous peoples representatives, environmentalists and Church leaders will bring their struggle against government’s pro-mining policies to the legislative arena today as they file a proposal for a new mining law to replace the Mining Law of 1995 (R.A.7942).

“We must put an end to the continued plunder of our country’s wealth under R.A. 7942 and the Arroyo government’s aggressive promotion of mining. We are here today to show our all-out support for the Alternative Mining Bill (AMB),” Rovik Obanil of the Legal Rights and Natural Resources (LRC) said.

Obanil revealed that the proposed legislation was the result of extensive consultations among mining-affected communities as well as with experts on economics, governance, social sciences and geosciences.

“The Mining Law of 1995 was practically written by the mining industry. During legislative deliberations prior to it’s passage, the legitimate concerns of the people with respect to environmental protection, human rights, ancestral domain and food security were brushed aside. It is no surprise therefore that in 14 years of implementation of this law, we have seen a pattern of abuse from Luzon all the way to Mindanao ,” Obanil argued.

“Minerals are a strategic resource which should be utilized in a judicious manner. If we are going to allow the mining of our mineral wealth, it should be done as part of a clear national development strategy which promotes the creation of downstream industries to maximize benefits for our people,” Obanil said.

The current Mining Law according to LRC, merely promotes extraction of minerals for ex-port which means very few jobs are created and very little income is generated beyond the taxes mining companies pay.

“The time has come to say, ‘Enough!’ to government’s pro-mining policies that result in human rights violations and only endanger our food security. After two decades of the Mining Law, it is clear that it does not serve the interests of the country and results in continued marginalization of poor communities and indigenous peoples like us,” Peter Duyapat, leader of the Didipio Earthsavers Movement (DESAMA) OF Nueva Vizcaya.

“We want to democratize decision-making with regard to the entry of mining in our areas. If any mining is to be done at all, it is people like us who will be affected who should make the decisions, not Malacañang,” Timuay Lucenio Manda, of the Piksalabukan Gukom de Bayog (PGB) of Zambaonga del Sur said.

Supporters of the AMB staged a motorcade from the Quezon City Memorial Circle to the Sandiganbayan. They then marched to the House of Representatives to join the bills authors, representatives Risa Hontiveros of Akbayan of the Liberal Party, Lorenzo Tañada III, Walden Bello, Carlos Padilla and Rufus Rodriguez.

Reference: Rovik Santiago Obanil

Legal Rights and Natural Resources Centre

Kasama sa Kalikasan/Friends of the Earth, Philippines

Telefax: 928-1372

Mobile: 0916-2539622

Email: rovik.obanil@lrcksk.org

The Mining Situation in the Philippines: Like Digging Our Own Grave

We are posting this, & the next articles, to catch up on important developments in our country's mining industry. One very important development was the filing of the Alternative Mining Bill (HB 6342) last May 13, 2009. This and the next posts are devoted to the AMB. we support the Alternative Mining Bill. Pass HB 6342 as soon as possible.

...

Office of Rep. Lorenzo Tañada III

Chairperson, Committee on Human Rights

Northwing 409, House of Representatives, Quezon City

Telefax: 9316478 or 9315001 loc 7368

email: erin_tanada@yahoo.com

13 May 2009

Reference: Rep. Erin Tañada - 09193688555

Media Officer: Laurice Ramos - 09228433311

It is with great pride and renewed hope that I sponsor the proposed Alternative Mining Bill. In the nearly 15 years since the Mining Act was passed, it has become increasingly clear that our determined search for minerals has meant digging ourselves deeper and deeper into our own grave.

For all its purported benefits, the mining industry has cost us far more than its weight in gold: the human rights violations, the alienation of indigenous people and the environmental damage has poisoned our society and economy in much the same way as toxic mine tailings have seeped into our land and waters. Its measly 1.2% contribution to our GDP from 2001 to 2008, and an employment generation rate of only 0.5% last year, hardly make up for the $80 M cost for rehabilitating Marinduque alone. In our bid to attract investors in the industry, we have given tax breaks and various other incentives to multinational companies that have failed to translate into any real profit for either the national government or local communities. We have only allowed these companies to eat at our table without ever having to pay for it, or for that matter, give thanks.

While the present and past administrations have treated those losses as dirt off their shoulders our people continue to bear the brunt of years of faulty policy. 16 mining activists were reported killed last year by the Kalikasan People's Network. The Commission on Human Rights has observed that mining activities are considered legitimate cause for the internal displacement of persons. Further, the current policy that lays out 23 priority projects in mining will eat into 60% of our protected areas and 53% of the indigenous people's ancestral domain.

Unfortunately, the dismal human rights record can be directly attributed to the Mining Act, which does not include violations of human rights as ground for cancellation of permits or shutting down of operations. This allows them to operate with impunity, giving regard to none of the havoc they wreak on the land in which they operate or the community which so generously hosts their business at invaluable cost.

I think it is high time for us to correct the many unforgivable oversights in the present mining law. This in turn requires a drastic reassessment of the social, environmental and economic costs of mining. The proposed measure, which we call the Alternative Mining Bill, is a product of just such an endeavour. It puts human rights and the rights of indigenous people at the fore of its considerations. The interests of the people will come before the interests of the corporation. Any violation by mining companies will be held as legitimate cause for us to throw them out and hold them accountable. Its provisions on the "Free Prior Informed Consent" by the community will finally provide adequate standards for it to be truly called 'Consent', while the prohibition on hiring armed contingents to protect the companies' interests will be disallowed. They will also be required to give a bond, money that will ensure that in the event they pull an escape act, we will have something to fall back on. These are just a few examples of the socially and environmentally conscious provisions that have been written into the bill. On close perusal, you will find that the proposed measure is nothing short of a revolutionary overhaul of what has long been accepted as a defective law.

Creating a better policy on mining is going to take more than just passing a new law, it requires a realization on the part of government that the so-called profits from the industry are at best, an illusion and at worst, a lie. We need to stop glossing over the truth about mining and stop dreaming of its promises of profit.

Only a better law that faces up to the cold realities of the industry and sizes up the costs and benefits with a hard eye and a heavy hand will get us out of this self-imposed tomb. It will be slow and painful, but I am confident this proposed mining bill - a product of four years of hard work and research - will give us the breath of life we need to claw our way out.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Groups say environmental degradation worsening in Rapu-Rapu

Floro Taguinod, GMANews.TV
05/15/2009 | 03:23 PM

MANILA, Philippines – Irresponsible large scale mining continue to wreak havoc not only on the environment but have severely affected the health of residents from host communities in the country.

A Solidarity Mission held recently in Albay province by anti-mining advocates, showed that there are continuing and worsening negative impacts of large-scale mining on the communities in Rapu-rapu Island.

The mission, organized by Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE) and Sagip Isla Sagip Kapwa, were participated by 37 people from 28 organizations including representatives from Japan, local fisher folks, environmental activists, health professionals, and the Church.

In a statement, Clemente Bautista, national coordinator of Kalikasan PNE said: “People are fast losing their livelihood and food sources on the island. The extensive pollution and degradation of the local marine ecosystem and water sources in the area resulted in the drastic decrease in people’s income and livelihood."

Clemente also concluded that they believe the main factor in the environmental degradation and pollution on the island is the continuing massive release of mine wastes to the rivers of Rapu-rapu and Albay Gulf.

Based on the report of the Solidarity Mission, areas adjacent and surrounding the open-pit mining operation of Lafayette such as the villages of Carogcog, Tinopan and Viga, have experienced rapid loss of coral covers because of pollution. Residents from Buenavista, another affected village, estimated that they have already lost almost 50 percent of their coral reefs after Lafayette’s large-scale mining operation started on the island.

Fernando Hicap, chairman of the militant fisher folk group Pamalakaya said: “There is alarming reduction of fish catch reported by the fishermen in the island. Our collated data points that the people experienced an estimated fish catch loss of 80-90% since the mining operation of Lafayette mining started to dispose mine wastes into the sea."

Information shared during one of the forums revealed that fishermen are forced to fish to as far as Catanduanes province, this new practice have unduly increased their working time and fishing costs.

In 2007, Ibon Foundation, a research NGO, conducted a study on the economic impact of Lafayette mining to the local communities and reported that there was a 30-70% decrease in income of fisherfolk after two years of operation of Lafayette mining.

The major source of livelihood in the area is catching Malasugi or Blue Marlin, a type of tuna, in Albay Gulf. Malasugi and other tuna species are believed to transfer farther away from Rapu-rapu Island because of the marine pollution, degradation of the local marine habitat and blast explosions at the mine operation.

Also, some of the communities have observed decreasing population and loss of marine species such as seashells and small fishes that they usually catch for food.

Health professionals have likewise noticed an unusual increase in the occurrence of respiratory problems such as cough and colds in their community.

“We have noted several cases of dermatological problems such as itchy lesions among the residents in several Barangays in Rapu-rapu. The residents told us that these dermatological problems started to surface since the start of large-scale mining in the area," said Dr. Geneve Rivera, head of the mission’s medical team and secretary general of Health Alliance for Democracy.

“What aggravates the situation is the lack of medical services in the area. Majority of the residents are very poor and cannot afford to go to medical facilities in Rapu-rapu or Legazpi City. This situation leads to several deaths, particularly among children, from simple illnesses such as diarrhea and vomiting," she added.
A local organization lamented that the adverse effects of Lafayette’s mining operation have caused the “poisoning of the fishing grounds."

“Foreign mining companies have grabbed our lands, poisoned our seas and destroyed our environment. Worse, the Arroyo government (not only) abandoned us (but) forced us to accept the destructive operation of Lafayette mining," protested Antonio Casitas, leader of the Albay based Sagip Isla, Sagip Kapwa.
Casitas reported that the situation in the area is becoming worse every year.

“We call on the government to immediately stop the large-scale mining and to the local government to suspend the operation of Lafayette, investigate the marine degradation in the area and immediately provide financial and food assistance to the (affected) poor communities," Casitas demanded.

Previously owned by an Australian company Lafayette started large-scale mining in the area in 2005 but went bankrupt and was later sold in April 2008 to Korean and Malaysian mining companies.

The SolidarityMission was joined by members and leaders of Kalikasan PNE, Center for Environmental Concerns (CEC Phils), Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD), Commed, Pamalakaya, Peace for Life, Philippine Collegian, Bulatlat, Agham, Redemptorist Baclaran, Takaki Citizen Science Foundation, Friends of the Earth – Japan, Bayan Bikol, KMP Bikol, Umalpaska Bikol, Umalpaska Camarines Norte, Bayan Camarines Sur, Pamalakaya Masbate, KMU Bikol, Abaka Catanduanes, Kadamay Bikol, CSPO, Bikol Express Multimedia, AMLDM, Rural Missionary of the Philippines and Sagip Isla, Sagip Kapwa.

Alternative mining bill may give industry new life

Business Mirror
Regions
Written by Bong D. Fabe / Correspondent
Wednesday, 13 May 2009 18:53

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—Liberal party Rep. Lorenzo Tañada III of Quezon and Akbayan party-list Rep. Riza Hontiveros on Wednesday filed The Alternative Mining Bill (AMB) in the House of Representatives.

This city’s second district representative, Rep. Rufus Rodriguez and Rep. Teofisto Guingona III of Bukidnon said they would support the AMB—a product of years of consultations between the Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center-Kasama sa Kalikasan/Friends of the Earth Philippines and its partners in the Alternative law Groups (ALG) and the different sectors of society in response to the damages posed and wrought by The Mining Act of 1995 or Republic Act (RA) 7942.

Rev. Fr. Jose Cabantan, director of the Social Action Center of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, called on the House of Representatives to support the passage of the AMB, saying “it is now time to scrap the RA 7942.”

“The AMB aims to bring back the exploration, development and utilization of mineral resources within the framework of national development, the right of peoples to self determination, and respect for human rights and the environment,” Cabantan said.

Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, S.J., D.D., stressed that 14 years after the Mining Act of 1995, there is no real evidence, or solid proof, of progress especially in the sites of struggles (SOS). SOS is a term that refers to communities in mining areas.

“Fourteen years of the implementation of the Mining Act of 1995 had brought about the physical and economic dislocation of many indigenous peoples and other upland rural communities, as well as aggravated the already dire situation of our environment by handing over our lands and mineral resources for corporate exploitation. All these, in exchange for a grossly disadvantageous amount from mining revenues,” Ledesma said.

“The Alternative Mining Bill is dedicated to countless women and men who have risked, and those continuing to risk, their lives for genuine freedoms,” said Carl Cesar Rebuta, team leader of LRC’s regional office here.

According to Rebuta, “the time for change has come” and that the 1995 Mining Act must be repealed because of its many flaws. He argued that the old law promoted the exportation of raw minerals without maximizing the benefits of such resources for the Filipino people and failed to take into consideration the negative impact of mining on the social and natural environment, while placing priority on exploration, development and use of resources over and above food security and environmental conservation.

He also cited that it grants too much power for decision-making to the President, when resources are the only heritage of the Filipino people, and disempowers local communities through lack of participatory mechanisms.

IN PHOTO -- AN aerial view of Lafayette Mining Ltd.’s Rapu Rapu copper, gold and silver mine on the island of Rapu Rapu, southeast of Manila, shows how mining strips the land of forest cover . The Alternative Mining Bill has been filed at the House of Representatives on Wednesday, and its proponents believe the proposed bill could resucitate the industry. BLOOMBERG

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Lafayette No Show in Debate

Lafayette/RRMI-RRPI backed down in an anticipated public debate on the merits of their mining operation in Rapu-Rapu. Instead, it sent a mindless letter, with the usual double-speak, & then let its minions send the radio station equally mindless text messages to make up for its absence. So much for "wanting very much to see a continuing communication process."

Meanwhile, RRMI-RRPI continue/s to operate with the blessings of the present dispensation. So much for debates.

From the ATM email service
Thursday, 30 April, 2009 10:53 AM

The Lafayette mining company in Rapu-Rapu, Albay backed out from the debate organized by the Bicol Consortium for Development Initiatives, Inc. (BCDI) hosted by Radio Veritas Legazpi. Earlier, Ms. Meg Alcanatara, Program Director of “Basta Bicolano Aprubado,” informed Virgilio S. Perdigon, Jr., Spokes person of Save Rapu-Rapu-Alliance and External Vice-President of Pangataman Bikol, that Ms. Cecille Calleja, Vice-President for Corporate Affairs of the mining company, had accepted the invitation to the debate. Ms. Calleja asked for one condition, namely to make the mechanics clear to Mr. Perdigon, and everything was presumed ready for April 29, 2009 the date of the debate.

However, when Mr. Perdigon arrived at the venue minutes before the schedule, he was informed that Lafayette had backed out the day before through a letter which did not even contain the reason for the change of mind by the mining company. It stated in part:

We very much want to see a continuing communication process that will give an accurate and in-depth understanding of the mining industry. Unfortunately we will not be able to participate in the program. Rest assured, however, that we remain interested in opportunities that will promote genuine dialogue and effectively share factual information particularly about Rapu-Rapu polymetallic project since its resumption of operation last October 2008.

The letter was signed by Engr. Rogelio E. Corpus, President of Rapu-Rapu Minerals, Inc. (RRMI) and dated April 27, 2009 .

The debate would have been precisely the occasion when the mining company could prove what it is saying: give an accurate and in-depth understanding of the mining industry and promote genuine dialogue and effectively share factual information particularly about Rapu-Rapu polymetallic project.

In lieu of the debate, the radio program went on with an interview with Mr. Perdigon who cited the reasons why his group does not oppose mining per se but only mining which is done in the wrong manner in the wrong place. Rapu-Rapu mining is one such case hence their opposition. He even informed the listeners that his group supports the alternative People’s Mining Policy being crafted by party list congressmen.

Text messages were sent to the program, both pro and con. Some text messages favoring the mining company dwelt on personal issues and off-topic matters, contrary to the guidelines set for the debate.

Mr. Perdigon closed the interview with a standing offer to the mining company for a debate anytime, provided it is organized by a third party.

In a subsequent letter to Ms. Alcantara, Mr. Perdigon stated, “So much about their remaining interest. They did not even accord you the courtesy of citing any reason for their last-minute back-out after initially accepting the invitation. Next time they say anything, virtually anything, we do not have to believe. This development only confirms our observation that they have neither the heart nor the mind to defend what they claim to believe in.”

Filipino bishops seek papal help in mine battle

CathNews
Published: April 29, 2009

Bishops from the Philippines province of Bicol have written to Pope Benedict asking for his assistance in their battle against mining operations including a formerly Australian owned mine on Rapu-Rapu island.

Environment advocacy groups backed the call for the intervention of Pope Benedict in urging President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to revoke the permit of a foreign company conducting open pit mining on Rapu-Rapu island in Albay province, The Inquirer reports.

The Pangataman-Bikol (Bicol Centre for Environmental Protection) and the Social Action Centre of this city have started their new campaign in order to dramatise their sentiments against the mining activities in Rapu-Rapu.

In a roundtable discussion over the weekend, the Bicol bishops' anti-mining letter to the Pope was read by Bishop Lucilo Quiambao, administrator of Legazpi Diocese.

The letter said: "Your Holiness: We are writing you on a problem that may very well be beyond your immediate and urgent concerns, perhaps even too parochial as to reach your most august office. But our sense of hopelessness, after having tried our best to no effect, to deal with this problem within our means through proper channels, has pushed us to come to you for consolation."

The letter further mentioned the "intransigence of the Philippine Government in allowing a multinational company to continue an open pit mining operation on a small island (Rapu-Rapu in Albay) in the Diocese of Legazpi, within our ecclesiastical province, in spite of our appeals to have it stopped because of its destructive consequences on the island and its surroundings."

It cited the warning of scientists that the mine could have direct and long term environmental impact on the island through acid rock drainage and toxic discharges.

"Opposition to the project grew all the more after two mining tailings spillage of October 11, 2005 and October 31, 2005, causing massive fish kills in and around the island...All of these, however, Your Holiness, have fallen on deaf ears," the letter added.

The letter was signed by Quiambao; Most Rev Leonardo Legaspi, Metropolitan Archbishop of Caceres; Most Rev. Arturo Bastes, Bishop of Sorsogon; Most Rev. Manolo de los Santos, Bishop of Virac; Most Rev. Joel Baylon, Bishop of Masbate; Most Rev. Gilbert Garcera, Bishop of Daet; Most Rev. Jose Rojas Jr., Bishop of Libmanan.

Bishops seek Pope’s help on Albay mining

By Rey M. Nasol
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Southern Luzon Bureau
First Posted 04/26/2009

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines--Environment advocacy groups here have expressed support to the call for the intervention of Pope Benedict XVI in urging President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to revoke the permit of a foreign company conducting open-pit mining in Rapu-Rapu island in Albay.

The move was made in support also of the worldwide celebration of the Earth Day, the advocates said.

The Pangataman-Bikol (Bicol Centre for Environmental Protection) and the Social Action Centre of this city have started their new campaign in order to dramatize their sentiments against the mining activities in Rapu-Rapu.

In a roundtable discussion over the weekend, the Bicol bishops' anti-mining letter to the Pope was read by Most Rev. Lucilo Quiambao, administrator of Legazpi Diocese.

The letter said: "Your Holiness: We are writing you on a problem that may very well be beyond your immediate and urgent concerns, perhaps even too parochial as to reach your most august office. But our sense of hopelessness, after having tried our best to no effect, to deal with this problem within our means through proper channels, has pushed us to come to you for consolation."

According to engineer Virgilio Perdigon, the external vice-president of Pangataman-Bikol Board of Trustees, they welcome and support the letter to the Pope as it is a way to highlight the environmental degradation being experienced not only by the island of Rapu-Rapu , but also by the whole region.

"It is also good now that the different provinces of Bicol are represented here to know the updates on the destructive mining activities in their respective areas and to formulate a way to stop them," Pedigon said.

The letter further mentioned the "intransigence of the Philippine Government in allowing a multinational company to continue an open-pit mining operation on a small island (Rapu-Rapu in Albay) in the Diocese of Legazpi, within our ecclesiastical province, in spite of our appeals to have it stopped because of its destructive consequences on the island and its surroundings."

It cited the warning of scientists that the mine could have direct and long-term environmental impact on the island through acid rock drainage and toxic discharges.

"Opposition to the project grew all the more after two mining tailings spillage of October 11, 2005 and October 31, 2005, causing massive fish kills in and around the island...All of these, however, Your Holiness, have fallen on deaf ears," the letter added.

The letter was signed by Quiambao; Most Rev. Leonardo Legaspi, Metropolitan Archbishop of Caceres; Most Rev. Arturo Bastes, Bishop of Sorsogon; Most Rev. Manolo de los Santos, Bishop of Virac; Most Rev. Joel Baylon, Bishop of Masbate; Most Rev. Gilbert Garcera, Bishop of Daet; Most Rev. Jose Rojas Jr., Bishop of Libmanan.

Bishops express environmental concerns

Bicol prelates initiate discussion on sentiments against government as world celebrates Earth Day

Manila Times
Thursday, April 23, 2009
By Rhaydz Barcia, Correspondent

LEGAZPI CITY: As the world commemorates the 39th International Earth Day Wednesday, the six prelates of Bicol region shared their pains with Pope Benedict XVI—the ordeal they’re going through over the resumption of an open pit mining operation in Rapu-Rapu, Albay.

The Archdiocese of Legazpi led by Bishop Lucilo Quiambao, apostolic administrator, initiated a round table discussion with the academe, civic group organizations and other stakeholders expressing their sentiments against the government as the world celebrates the 39th World Earth Day.

“It is a cry of a children to a father. We, the Bicol bishops sent a letter to his holiness Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican to bring out our sentiments. We’re referring to the intransigence of the Philippine government in allowing a multinational company to continue an open-pit mining operation on a small island [Rapu-Rapu, Albay] in the Diocese of Legazpi, within our ecclesiastical province, in spite of our appeals to have it stopped because of its destructive consequences on the island and its surroundings,” Bishop Lucilo Quiambao said during the Earth Day 2009 round table discussion on the mining situation in the Bicol region held at the Bishop House on Wednesday morning here.

“We did not send the letter to Malacañang because we’re fed up. The powers that be, they’re not doing anything about the Rapu-Rapu mining operation of LG Kores, instead all pakitang tao. The poor people of Rapu-Rapu are being manipulated and bribed by the new management, the LG Kores, just to get an endorsement and approval from the people,” Quiambao lamented.

The six Bicol prelates, Most Rev. Leonardo Legaspi of Metropolitan Archbishop of Caceres, Most Rev. Lucilo Quiambao of Legazpi, Most Rev. Joel Baylon of Masbate, Most Rev. Arturo Bastes of Sorsogon, Most Rev. Manolo de los Santos of Virac, Most Rev. Gilbert Garcera of Daet and Most Rev. Jose Rojas Jr., of Ligmanan said in a letter to Pope Benedict XVI that they’re disgusted with President Gloria Arroyo’s action.

In a two-page letter to the Pope, the prelates said that even prior to the start of mining operations, various environmental groups have already opposed the project based on findings of many scientific investigations that declared the Rapu-Rapu Island unsuitable for mining because of the potential ecological damage it can bring to the island.

“Indeed, the island is geographically situated in such a way that it is constantly vulnerable to typhoons and heavy rain. Considering further that the island is made up of such hilly terrain, scientists warned that the mine could have direct and long term environmental impact on the island through acid rock drainage and toxic discharges,” it said.

According to them, opposition to the project grew even more after two mining tailings spillage in October 11 and October 30, 2005, causing massive fish kills in the island.

Most affected by these incidents were the Diocese of Legazpi and the Diocese of Sorsogon, the prelates said.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines in its general assembly on January 2006 said the Rapu-Rapu mining case was brought to the attention of the bishops.

The bishops decided to issue a pastoral letter appealing to the Philippine government to impose moratorium on mining activities. They even went as far as recommend the repeal of the Mining Act of l995.

“As if listening to the recommendations of the bishops, President Gloria Arroyo appointed Bishop Arturo Bastes of Sorsogon to head a fact-finding commission to investigate the Rapu-Rapu mining accidents of 2005. Composed of scientists and mining experts, the commission soundly recommended the closure of the facility on the basis of its natural unsuitability for mining and after the commission found the mining facility and actual operations there not measuring up to safety standards. The commission’s recommendations, however, was swiftly cast aside,” the prelates said.

Following the resumption of mining operations in Rapu-Rapu last year, protest action mounted. Due to this, the Catholic Church has come to the forefront.

Quiambao, besides issuing a pastoral letter calling for a stop to mining in Rapu-Rapu Island , joined public protests.

In 2007, the Bicol bishops lent their support and issued a statement supporting the resolution passed by the municipal council of Rapu-Rapu declaring a state of calamity on Rapu-Rapu Island .

The council and the prelates appealed to the local and national government agencies to heed the voice and clamour for help of the people of Rapu-Rapu calling on them to act in the best interest of the people.

“All of these, however, your Holiness, have fallen on deaf ears. We dare not seek your intercession for obvious reasons, particularly the sensitive political protocol it would involve. We’re aware that we should be guided by your words that building a just social and civil order as a political task cannot be the church’s immediate responsibility. The Church as you further said, cannot and must not take upon herself the political battle to bring about the most just society possible.

“Yet again, since it is also a most important human responsibility, the Church is duty-bound to offer, through the purification of reason and through ethical formation, her own specific contribution towards understanding the requirements of justice and achieving them politically,” the prelates pointed out.

Engr. Virgilio Perdigon, Jr., external vice president, Pangataman-Bicol Board of Trustees and other environmental group, lauded and supported the Bicol bishops’ anti-Rapu-Rapu mining letter to the Pope.

“We welcome and support this letter to the Pope by the bishops because it is a way to highlight the environmental degradation being experienced by the island of Rapu-Rapu but the whole region as well,” Perdigon said.

Perdigon, who is also a professor of Aquinas University of Legazpi, said they’re hoping the Philippine and local governments would act positively on their plea to permanently close the Rapu-Rapu mining operation.

“We just hope now that the Philippine and local governments would act positively on our plea and not just pay lip service to the protection of our environment,” Perdigon said.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Open Letter to the Pope on the Mining Situation in Rapu-Rapu

METROPOLITAN ARCHDIOCESE OF CACERES
Elias Angeles St., Naga City
Philippines

25 December 2008

His Holiness
Pope Benedict XVI
Vatican City

Your Holiness:

We are writing to you on a problem that may very well be beyond your immediate and urgent concerns, perhaps even too parochial as to reach your most august office. But our sense of hopelessness, after having tried our best to no affect, to deal with this problem within our means through proper channels, has pushed us to come to you for consolation.

We are referring to the intransigence of the Philippine Government in allowing a multinational company to continue an open pit operation on a small island (Rapu-Rapu, Albay, Philippines ) in the Diocese of Legazpi, within our ecclesiastical province, in spite of our appeals to have it stopped because of its destructive consequences on the island and its surroundings.

Even prior to the commencement of operations, various environmental groups have already opposed the project based on findings of many scientific investigations that declared the island unsuitable for mining because of the potential ecological damage it can bring into the island. Indeed, the island is geographically situated in such a way that it is constantly vulnerable to typhoons and heavy rain. Considering further that the island is made up of such hilly terrain of steep slopes scientists warned that the mine could have direct and long term environmental impact on the island through acid rock drainage and toxic discharges.

Opposition to the project grew all the more after two mining tailings spillage of October 11, 2005 and October 31. 2005, causing massive fish kills in and around the island. Most affected by these incidents were the Diocese of Legazpi and the Diocese of Sorsogon. During the General Assembly of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines January 2006, the Rapu-Rapu mining case, along with other mining projects in the country causing environmental problems, were brought to the attention of the bishops. The bishops swiftly decided to issue a pastoral letter appealing to the Philippine Government to impose a moratorium on mining activities. They even went as far as recommending the repeal of the country’s Mining Act of 1995.

As if listening to the recommendations of the bishops, the Philippine President, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, appointed Bishop Arturo Bastes of Sorsogon to head a "Fact-Finding Commission" to investigate on the Rapu-Rapu mining accidents of 2005. Composed of scientists and mining experts, the Commission soundly recommended the closure of the mining facility on the island, again on the basis of its natural unsuitability for mining, and after the Commission found the mining facility and actual operations there not measuring up to safety standards. The Commission’s recommendations, however, have been swiftly cast aside

Following resumption of mining operations on the island, protest actions mounted. This time, the Catholic Church has come to the forefront. In particular Bishop Lucilo Quiambao of the Diocese of Legazpi, who, aside from issuing a pastoral bulletin calling for a stop to mining on Rapu-Rapu, joined public protest rallies making the same demand. The Bicol Bishops lent their support and issued a statement in November 2007, supporting the resolution of Rapu-Rapu Sangguniang Bayan (Municipal Council), declaring a state of calamity on Rapu-Rapu Island . They appealed to the local and national government agencies to heed the voice and clamour for help of the people of Rapu-Rapu, calling on them to act in the best interest of the people and to adopt measures that would address their needs as a result of the environmental damage mining has caused on their poor island.

All of these however, Your Holiness, have fallen on deaf ears. We dare not seek your intercession for obvious reasons, particular1y the sensitive political protocol it would involve. We are aware that we should be guided by your words that "Building a just social and civil order…as a political task….cannot be the Church’s immediate responsibility." (Deus caritas est, #28). "The Church," as you further said, "cannot and must not take upon herself the political battle to bring about the most just society possible." (ibid.) Yet again, "...since it is also a most important human responsibility, the Church is duty-bound to offer, through the purification of reason and through ethical formation, her own specific contribution towards understanding the requirements of justice and achieving them politically."(ibid.)

In writing this letter to your Holiness, we your brother Bishops of this far-away land, simply wish to share our pains with our Father, in the conviction that in this we would somehow find a sure source of hope, seeing this pain as a one rich variety of ways by which God makes His presence known to us.

With profound gratitude we remain

Very respectfully yours in Christ,

MOST REV. LEONARDO Z. LEGASPI, OP, D.D.
Metropolitan Archbishop of Caceres

MOST REV. ARTURO M. BASTES, SVD, D.D.
Bishop of Sorsogon

MOST REV. MANOLO A. DE LOS SANTOS, D.D.
Bishop of Virac

MOST REV. GILBERT A. GARCERA, D.D.
Bishop of Daet

MOST REV. LUCILO B. QUIAMBAO, D.D.
Administrator of Legazpi

MOST REV. JOEL Z. BAYLON, D.D.
Bishop of Masbate

MOST REV. JOSE R. ROJAS, JR, D.D.
Bishop of Libmanan

Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do

a siete palabras reflection for Good Friday 2009, solicited by Parokya sa Web...

The seven last words of Jesus start on the theme of forgiveness. He is crucified on the cross, severely bruised and in terrible pain, mocked and shamed by his tormentors, and the first words ascribed to him are “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do”.

They are words that do not fail to inspire and perplex. Even in the worst of suffering, Jesus still preached and embodied the Father’s mercy. The magnanimity of His expression is even made more manifest if we reflect on our own response to situations of unjust suffering. Would we be so similarly instantaneous – Christ-like – in our dispensing of forgiveness? Or would we view such response as an expression of giving-up too early, of resignation to the futility of our quest for justice?

I remember Rapu-Rapu and the sufferings of its people. The Diocese of Legazpi and many concerned groups and individuals, fought alongside them in resisting the large-scale mining operations of Lafayette (now they project themselves as RRMI and RRPI) on their island since 1999. I remember the series of fish kills in 2005, 2006 (while undergoing a DENR mandated test-run) and 2007. I remember the arrogance and callousness of many government and mining company officials. I remember the suffering of the people – dwindling fish catch, hunger, harassment, health problems, uncertain future, the pain of hearing hard facts and their sentiments misrepresented on national media.

Should the residents of Rapu-Rapu, and we who have been helping them, need also to be so willing to dispense forgiveness as Jesus did? How would such act benefit our cause?

“Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do” seems so out of touch with our situation. Or is it really? There is an admittedly strange attractive power, a sense of liberation even, when a victim utters the line.

To forgive doesn’t necessarily mean to give-up. To forgive may also mean to let go, or more precisely, to let God. To forgive is to acknowledge that though we seek justice and resist oppression, we can still go beyond our human claims and dispositions and seek affinity with the divine. To forgive is to trust that the power and providence of God is greater than the evil that resides in the hearts of our oppressors.

To say that they do not know what they do does not necessarily mean being co-opted to our oppressors’ web of lies or dismissing their acts as mere human failings. For indeed they are still responsible for their actions. It is an acknowledgment rather that, despite their skills in manipulating truth and morally dubious negotiations, they are still practically ignorant of the great power of God working in all things. In short, it is an acknowledgment that there is hope for them still.

Am I just fooling myself when I say this? Am I in a state of wishful thinking? Let me tell you what is clear and present to me about the current mining situation in our country. It is the DENR that identifies sites as suitable for mining. It is the DENR that advertises those sites for mining investors, conveniently downgrading environmental harm. It is the DENR that grants MPSAs without consulting local residents and ECCs even without social acceptability. It is the same DENR that admits it cannot sufficiently monitor production and operation of mining companies. It is the DENR that connives with mining officials to cover-up incidents of mishaps and fish kills. When a company like Lafayette fails, it is the DENR that scurries to look for other investors to “save” the project. And should we seek legal action, it is the DENR who will first receive our complaints and judge their merits before any court could hear our case.

Could we actually dream of receiving a fair hearing from our current DENR? Maybe not yet in the present nor in the near future, but I am still filled with hope that the situation can and will change for the better. Otherwise, the options left would either be indeed giving-up, or going over less enlightened paths.

Lastly, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do” are words spoken to victims and their advocates as well. It is a gentle reminder that even as we fight for justice we cannot lose the best parts of our humanity. It is a solemn promise that just as Jesus Christ transcended hate and injustice, and then triumphed over sin and death, so too we will find our victory in the end.

WE'RE BACK!

After a long hiatus - 10 months - we're back with a renewed spirit and with a more committed administrator. Kaya sa aming masusugid na taga-suporta & mga makamina (Lafayette, RRMI, RRPI), makakaasa po kayo sa mas pinaigting pang pangangalampag para sa kalikasan at para sa kalayaan ng Rapu-Rapu sa kuko ng mapaminsalang pagminina.

We usher our return with a bad news reflecting the sorry state of environmental protection laws in this country. tsk-tsk.

Business Lafayette can proceed with Rapu-Rapu project

By Edu Punay

Philippine Star

Updated March 23, 2009

MANILA, Philippines - The Court of Appeals (CA) has allowed Australian firm Lafayette Inc. and its subsidiaries to continue their mining operations on Rapu-Rapu Island in Albay.

This after the second division of the appellate court junked a petition filed by groups of fishermen, farmers and students seeking to enjoin the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to allowing Lafayette Philippines Inc. (LPI) to continue its operations in the area due to alleged non-compliance with mining laws causing environmental destruction.

In a 21-page decision penned by Associate Justice Portia Aliño-Hormachuelos, the CA junked the petition on the ground that petitioners represented by Quentin Emmanuel Calleja have failed to exhaust all administrative remedies before bringing the case to the court.

“Petitioners, in bypassing the DENR secretary, prematurely invoked the court’s intervention, thus, depriving the herein complaint of a cause of action,” the CA said, affirming an earlier decision of the Regional Trial Court of Makati City issued on Sept. 6, 2006 that dismissed the class suit filed by the residents for a writ of preliminary injunction and/or permanent injunction against (LPI).

The CA agreed with the DENR that the petitioners should have first brought their complaint before the agency’s Pollution Adjudication Board before proceeding to the filing of the complaint before the court.

The appellate court believed that the petitioners ignored R.A.7942 (Philippine Mining Act of 1995), which gives the DENR, through the PAB, the authority to hear pollution-related complaints against mining firms.

It also noted that a water pollution and abatement case is now pending before the PAB for alleged contamination of bodies of water surrounding the mining area.

Although the CA recognized efforts to protect the environment, it stressed that it has a duty to implement established procedural rules.

“Until the matter is adjudicated, there is nothing for this court to act upon, much more, enjoin. The proper remedy is to allow the PAB to decide the abatement case. If there are grounds to contest the decision, petitioners may elevate the matter to the DENR secretary,” the appellate court explained.

Based on the records, LPI was given environmental compliance certificate to proceed with its Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project in the area on July 21, 2001.

In November 2005, LPI was found liable for the recurrence of cyanide spills, mine tailings and fish kills in the island, causing environmental destruction, community displacements, human rights violation, and livelihood loss to the local people.

In January 2006, the government suspended LPI’s operations on account of the toxic spills and ordered a fact-finding commission to investigate the effects of the mining operations of LPI in the municipalities of Rapu-Rapu in Albay and Prieto Diaz, Gubat, Barcelona , Bulusan and Bacon in Sorsogon.

The commission later recommended the cancellation of LPI’s ECC and the closure of its mining area.

However, in June 2006, then DENR Secretary Angelo Reyes allowed LPI to test-run its zinc and copper mine in Rapu-Rapu for 30 days to give the mining firms a chance to prove that it could operate the facility in compliance with environmental standards.

On July 9, 2006, the PAB issued a resolution ordering the Environment Management Bureau to issue a wastewater discharge permit to LPI and to lift the suspension of the firm’s chemical control order registration certificates to allow it to acquire cyanide operations.

What can we do? Our grandfathers shed their blood in the Korean War of the 1950's to save South Korea from Kim Il Sung. Today, South Koreans are taking part in the destruction of Rapu-Rapu. Kores is owned by the South Korean government. We can petition them to withdraw from Rapu-Rapu. LGI is a South Korean company. The Save Rapu-Rapu Alliance is calling on everyone to boycott LGI products - cellphones, aircons, flat screens, washing machines, etc. and strike a blow for justice. Make them feel how it is to lose income the way the fishermen around Albay Gulf have lost theirs. We still do not know how to strike back at MSC. Perhaps, we can call on all Malaysian environmentalists to support us. The people of Rapu-Rapu are calling for help to save their island!

Damaged pump on board the Lady Jacqueline

Greenspeak Advisory - Aug 4 2008

Upon the advice of our partners and concerned collaborators, we are closing the Greenspeak / Web messages section of this blog. Recently, instead of sensible discussions, we have observed a surge in vitriolic reactions and hate comments, mainly from pro-mining advocates and Lafayette employees. Anti-mining advocates have also responded in kind. So, much as we would like to keep the free flow of ideas - from both sides of the mining question - on how best we can help Rapu-Rapu, the partners feel that the Greenspeak section no longer serves its purpose. Thus, the decision to close it. We apologize, especially to our avid (and rabid) posters, both pro & anti-mining, for whatever feelings of disappointment or loss our decision may have caused them. Comments and reactions may still be posted at the comments section of the blog posts.

Book on Mining in Rapu-Rapu

To set the black propaganda straight, Dr. Emelina G. Regis never applied for any position at Lafayette, RRMI, RRPI, RRPP, or any of their subsidiaries. This book contains damning scientific research on the adverse impacts of mining to the island ecosystem of Rapu-Rapu. To date neither the DENR nor RRMI-RRPI responded to the evidence and conclusions of Dr. Regis' studies. The mining company opts instead to float the bogus claim that Dr. Regis is a disgruntled applicant at Lafayette. The book is published by Ateneo de Naga University (2008).

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The Final Verdict

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RRPP Income in 2012

AND NOW THE END IS NEAR . . .

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RRPP Income and Taxes in 2011

RRPP Income and Taxes in 2010