Back Bastes Commission; put forward an alternative mining policy

May 23. 2006
Defend Patrimony
Press Release

Legislators, Church and environmental groups back Bastes Commission; put forward an alternative mining policy

Environmental groups, Church people and legislators held a press conference today to show support to the Rapu-rapu Fact Finding Commission (RFFC) headed by Bishop Arturo Bastes and press for the implementation of the Commission's recommendations.

"The recommendation to permanently close Lafayette mining, rehabilitate the local ecosystem, compensate mining victims, and impose moratorium in Rapu-rapu is a significant gain for the people's struggle against mining plunder. For almost a decade now, we have been campaigning to assert these concerns," says Trixie Concepcion spokesperson of Defend Patrimony (DP). DP is a broad multisectoral alliance campaigning against mining liberalization.

"The Commission report further strengthened our call to scrap the pro-foreign transnational mining corporations (mining TNCs) and anti-environment Mining Act of 1995. It resounded our call to stop all the destructive large-scale mining projects of mining TNCs in the country. There is a great possibility that the mining tragedy happening now in in Rapu-rapu will occur in other government priority mining projects, but they will not have as much projection as the Rapu-rapu case, added Concepcion."

"President Gloria Arroyo and DENR Secretary Angelo Reyes should immediately implement the Commission's recommendations. The government should stop its dillydallying because the delay of its implementation further endangers the health and lives of the local communities," Ms. Concepcion demanded.

Repeal the Mining Act

Minority Floor Leader and Representative of 1st District of Sorsogon Francis Escudero and Bayan Muna Partylist Representative Joel Virador also voiced their support to the recommendations of Rapu-rapu Commission. Congressman Francis Escudero reiterated his call for the pull-out of Lafayette in Rapu-rapu and the call to Malacanang to listen to the Commission.

"We will use the findings of the RFFC in the on-going review of Mining Act. The RFFC has shown us more reasons to push for its repeal," says Bayan Muna Congressman Joel Virador. "With the mining liberalization framework of the Mining Act, and its intense pursuit by the Arroyo government, Lafayette has been allowed to hastily and unsafely operate on the mines in Rapu-rapu. Not only did they violate environmental laws but also tried to cheat the government of additional income and taxes, this in spite of several economic incentives and privileges given to them. If Lafayette is the government mining showcase, how then is the performance of its other priority projects?"

Alternative Mining Policy

The DP is also lobbying for an alternative mining policy framework to replace the "mining revitalization" of the Mining Act. The group earlier submitted their "People's Mining Policy" to the Lower House. This was said to be a result of a series of national and regional consultations conferences, involving indigenous peoples, mining-affected communities, mine workers, church people, scientists and environmentalists. "We are forwarding an alternative mining policy framework to replace the current mining liberalization. We believe this will ensure the protection of the environment and will surely lead to economic development. This alternative policy framework will not ban foreign investments but their operations will be strictly regulated and made to conform with a strategic plan of the government to industrialize the nation. Mining and National Industrialization will be primarily oriented towards meeting domestic needs and economic development instead of the needs of the international market," explained Clemente Bautista, national coordinator of environmental activist group Kalikasan-PNE.

Local livelihood and mining campaign

The groups also belie the claim of Lafayette that there will be a big economic backlash on the local communities when the company totally shuts down.

"There is no truth that Lafayette now is employing 1,000 people. Currently there is less than 700 people that were hired by the company and most of them are contractual and construction workers. After the construction, only 280 people will be hired by the company. Fishing and farming are still the primary livelihood and source of income of the local populace," says by Antonio Casetas, Chairman of Sagip Isla, local organization in Rapu-rapu islands opposing the operation of Lafayette.

"Mas maginhawa ang aming kabuhayan noong wala pa ang Lafayette at siguradong kaya naming maghanapbuhay kung sila ay mapapalayas, kasama na ang pagkawala lasong kanilang ikinalat. Nagpapasalamat kami sa Commission sa kanilang pakikinig sa amin at paglalabas ng katotohanan hinggil sa pagmimina ng Lafayette. Hindi kami uurong sa aming pakikibaka. Palalakasin pa namin ang aming kampanya hanggang tuluyan mapaalis ang Lafayette at sagipin ang aming isla sa pagkawasak, (Life was better before Lafayette came to the island. Surely, we can survive without them and the pollution they created. We are thankful to the Commission in exposing the truth about Lafayette entry and operation in our island. We will not waver in our struggle. We will further intensify our campaign to realize the pull-out of Lafayette and save our island and communities from destruction.) " concluded Mr. Casetas.###