Church people on reopening of Lafayette: A Disastrous Decision

June 16, 2006

A Disastrous Decision

The Stewards of Creation, a national network of church people for environmental protection, shares the disappointment of Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes over the government's decision allowing Lafayette Philippines Inc. (LPI), to do a test-run of its zinc and copper mining operation.

The Rapu-rapu Fact-finding Commission (RFFC) chaired by Bishop Bastes did a very thorough and credible study of the effects of the operations of Lafayette Philippines Inc. in Rapu-rapu and made sound recommendations based on its findings. The government admitted, albeit grudgingly that the Bastes Report had merit. The decision of DENR Sec. Angelo Reyes disregarded the hard work of the members of the Bastes Commission.

While the DENR decision is a setback for environmentalists, it is hardly surprising given the fact that even the RFFC cited in its report that the said agency has been noticeably consistent in allowing LPI to violate the environmental protection requirements of its approved Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program (EPEP) and Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC). Sec. Reyes' decision is also very consistent with the President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's Mining Revitalization Program. Given this propensity for siding with TNCs, it won't be a joke to call the DENR the Department for the Eradication of our Natural Resources.

This is a very unfortunate, considering our experiences with mining: that TNCs gain the profits while the people suffer the consequences. Moreover, as proven by Rapu-rapu, promised jobs were only for a few; the livelihoods of the people were not spared; health and safety were ignored; and, human rights violations were aggravated. Worse, the military paid by people's taxes was used to secure the interest of these TNCs.

We thus call on Sec. Reyes to reconsider his decision and heed the recommendations of the Bastes Commission. We also reiterate our challenge to the Arroyo government to immediately repeal the Mining Act of 1995 in favor of a more pro-people and environmentally sound policy, cancel all permits for large-scale mining and render justice to all victims of mining disasters.

Bishop Solito K. Toquero
Resident Bishop
United Methodist Church - Manila Episcopal Area (tel.523-02-97)
Convenor - Stewards of Creation (A National Network of Church People for Environmental Protection)

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NCCP Press Statement
June 16, 2006

Live Up To The Vision of Our National Heroes, Do Not Sell Our Patrimony
(On DENR's Decision to Re-open Mining in Rapu-rapu)

In her Independence Day speech, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo stated that the "choice is for us to make whether we continue to live up to the vision of our national heroes or continue to watch helplessly while our political system degenerates and our economy is trapped in the mire of uncertainty". The good President must have forgotten what our national heroes lived and died for. Their blood, sweat and tears were for a country free from plundering invaders�an economy that serves the best interests of the Filipinos. Our heroes would be turning in their graves if they had any knowledge about the infamous plans of the President through Charter Change.

President Arroyo and Sec. Angelo Reyes of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) have turned their backs on the vision of our heroes by deciding in favor of Lafayette Philippines Inc. to reopen their mining operation in Rapu-rapu Island. They have allowed the interests of a transnational corporation to prevail over the interests of the people and the environment. Defend Patrimony is right on track when it declares that the DENR decision is "environmental treason". It clearly shows where government priorities lie.

The recommendations of the Bastes Commission are crystal clear and are backed with evidences: an end to the operations of Lafayette, a moratorium on mining in Rapu-rapu and a review of the Philippine Mining Act of 1995. How can we sideline these recommendations when they resonate with the people's demands.

In the face of massive destruction, we will be remiss in our responsibility as stewards of God's gifts if we do not raise a strong voice against this travesty. We thus reiterate our call to uphold the recommendations of the Bastes Commission and to repeal the Mining Act of 1995.

Our national heroes deserve no less.

MS. SHARON ROSE JOY RUIZ-DUREMDES
General Secretary - NCCP