Big Three Cars Emit 230 Million Tons of Greenhouse Gas
June 29, 2006 — By Deborah Zabarenko, Reuters
WASHINGTON — Cars built by the Big Three automakers gave off 230 million metric tons of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide in the United States in a year, more than the biggest U.S. electric utility, environmental researchers said Wednesday.
General Motors, Ford and DaimlerChrysler cars and light trucks emitted nearly three-fourths of all carbon dioxide from vehicles on U.S. roads in 2004, the year for which statistics were available, according to the watchdog group Environmental Defense.
Nine other car manufacturers with vehicles on the U.S. market accounted for an additional 84 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, bringing the total for all cars and light trucks in operation in 2004 to 314 million metric tons, the report found.
General Motors vehicles gave off 99 million metric tons or 31 percent of the total; Ford vehicles emitted 80 million metric tons or 25 percent and DaimlerChrysler vehicles emitted 51 million metric tons or 16 percent, according to the report.
By comparison, the largest U.S. electric utility, American Electric Power, had emissions of 41 million metric tons.
Greenhouse gases, notably carbon dioxide, contribute to global warming, which in turn has been blamed for more severe hurricanes, rising seas and other environmental ills. Though greenhouse gas emissions have most frequently been associated with coal-fired power plants, the new report aims to point up comparable emissions from automobiles.
"The image of the power plant, with a smokestack and stuff billowing out of it, creates that sense of a lot of pollution in one place," John DeCicco, co-author of the report, said by telephone. "People don't necessarily understand that the millions of vehicles are part of the problem that is a really comparable scale."
He stressed a shared responsibility among consumers, auto manufacturers and policy makers.
"It's hard to pin just on General Motors the responsibility for that 20-year-old Chevy that's putting carbon up into the air," DeCicco said.
With just 5 percent of the world's population, the United States has 30 percent of the world's automobiles and produces 45 percent of the world's automotive carbon dioxide emissions, the report said. U.S. cars are driven more and burn more fuel per mile than the international average.
Source: Reuters
Monday, July 24, 2006
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Bicolanos, Environmental activists file case against Lafayette, DENR
July 20, 2006
Bicolanos, Environmental activists file case against Lafayette, DENR
In a new bid to stop the polymetallic mining project in Rapurapu, residents of the island, Sorsogon and Albay, environmental activist groups, fisher folk organizations, church people, militant organizations and television personalities filed a class suit against Lafayette Philippines, Inc., an Australian mining firm, and DENR Secretary Angelo Reyes today at the Makati Regional Trial Court today.
The suit sought to halt the 30-day test run granted by the DENR Secretary to Lafayette, on June 13, 2006. It similarly petitioned for the permanent injunction of the Lafayette mining operation, as it demanded compensation for the damages the company has done to the environment and the surrounding communities.
"We filed a case because we want to stop the destruction La Fayette is causing in our island, in our environment, our future and our children's future. (Sumama po kami sa pagasampa ng kaso upang mapigilan ang ginagawang pagsira ng Lafayette di lamang sa aming kapaligiran kundi sa aming kinabukasan at ng aming mga anak)," says Nenita Cotorno, a 60-year old grandmother of 7 and a local resident of Rapu-rapu.
Another Bicolana and international Beauty Queen Miriam Quiambao also signed as a petitioner. "It is a shame that people's lives and the environment are being put at risk for the sake of the mining operation. I hope that people in the government will make decisions that will be beneficial to more people than a few. Lives, especially
people's lives, are too precious.
Television personalities, musicians and environmentalists like Chin-chin Gutierrez, Gary Granada, Chickoy Pura and Roy Alvarez are also petitioners of the suit.
"We are not against mining. We are against how mining is being done in this country, without regard for our people, our environment, and our country's future. The cannot guarantee Rapurapu Island's preservation and barely provides enough for the economic, social or cultural sustainability of the present generation. Why should people and
the environment always have to pay the cost to benefit the few?" averred Chin-chin Gutierrez.
"The petitioners, who are both residents and non-residents of Rapurapu, share a common concern for the environmental, economic and health-related problems caused by the mining operations in the island. They are invoking their constitutionally guaranteed right to a balanced and healthful ecology as well as their right to health," explains Atty. Howard Calleja, one of the lawyers who filed the case.
"The most compelling reason to restrain Lafayette's mining operation is the occurrence of acid mine drainage (AMD). This environmental concern is something that even the DENR admits Lafayette could not control," added Calleja.
"Rapurapu should be immediately rehabilitated. The acid mine drainage and its effects in the island should be addressed, not exacerbated by allowing the island to be mined further by Lafayette," said Frances Quimpo of the Center for Environmental Concerns-Philippines.
"It is very difficult to understand how the government can allow Lafayette to continue mining when it has already seen how Lafayette violated our laws, cheated the government of taxes, undermined the safety of the communities, and caused irreversible damages to our environment," pointed out Antonio Casetas, Head Servant of Sagip Isla, Sagip Kapwa, an island-wide environmental organization in Rapurapu.
"We have remained vigilant and have continued to protest in the streets, in spite the fact that the island is now being militarized, because this is the only way we can express our position. Our once peaceful island is not only being destroyed, it is now wrapped in apprehension and fear. We hope Lafayette and the government will let us be, " averred Ariel Arieto, leader of Lambat-Bicol, a fisherfok federation in the Bicol region.
Meanwhile, Defend Patrimony Spokesperson Trixie Concepcion asserted that Lafayette's operations in Rapu-rapu are still rife with irregularities, including under-declared revenues and falsification of public documents. "We are asking the Court to stop what DENR itself further affirmed as a grossly unfavorable mining project to the government," adds Concepcion.
"The mining issue in Rapu-Rapu is a matter of public interest in view of the environmental hazards and adverse health impacts that Lafayette mining operation poses. The people of Sorsogon are supporting the class suit, and we hope we can get justice," says Bishop Aruturo Bastes who headed the defunct Rapu-rapu Fact-Finding Commission.
"We do not trust that the Arroyo Administration, including the DENR, will heed our demands. She has after all already demonstrated her bias for the Australian mining firm and has intransigently clung to her mining liberalization policy to protect the interest of foreign transnational mining," said Clemente Bautista, national coordinator of the environmental activist group Kalikasan-PNE.
"This class suit is a fight not only against Lafayette but also a fight in defense of our patrimony," added Bautista. ###
Bicolanos, Environmental activists file case against Lafayette, DENR
In a new bid to stop the polymetallic mining project in Rapurapu, residents of the island, Sorsogon and Albay, environmental activist groups, fisher folk organizations, church people, militant organizations and television personalities filed a class suit against Lafayette Philippines, Inc., an Australian mining firm, and DENR Secretary Angelo Reyes today at the Makati Regional Trial Court today.
The suit sought to halt the 30-day test run granted by the DENR Secretary to Lafayette, on June 13, 2006. It similarly petitioned for the permanent injunction of the Lafayette mining operation, as it demanded compensation for the damages the company has done to the environment and the surrounding communities.
"We filed a case because we want to stop the destruction La Fayette is causing in our island, in our environment, our future and our children's future. (Sumama po kami sa pagasampa ng kaso upang mapigilan ang ginagawang pagsira ng Lafayette di lamang sa aming kapaligiran kundi sa aming kinabukasan at ng aming mga anak)," says Nenita Cotorno, a 60-year old grandmother of 7 and a local resident of Rapu-rapu.
Another Bicolana and international Beauty Queen Miriam Quiambao also signed as a petitioner. "It is a shame that people's lives and the environment are being put at risk for the sake of the mining operation. I hope that people in the government will make decisions that will be beneficial to more people than a few. Lives, especially
people's lives, are too precious.
Television personalities, musicians and environmentalists like Chin-chin Gutierrez, Gary Granada, Chickoy Pura and Roy Alvarez are also petitioners of the suit.
"We are not against mining. We are against how mining is being done in this country, without regard for our people, our environment, and our country's future. The cannot guarantee Rapurapu Island's preservation and barely provides enough for the economic, social or cultural sustainability of the present generation. Why should people and
the environment always have to pay the cost to benefit the few?" averred Chin-chin Gutierrez.
"The petitioners, who are both residents and non-residents of Rapurapu, share a common concern for the environmental, economic and health-related problems caused by the mining operations in the island. They are invoking their constitutionally guaranteed right to a balanced and healthful ecology as well as their right to health," explains Atty. Howard Calleja, one of the lawyers who filed the case.
"The most compelling reason to restrain Lafayette's mining operation is the occurrence of acid mine drainage (AMD). This environmental concern is something that even the DENR admits Lafayette could not control," added Calleja.
"Rapurapu should be immediately rehabilitated. The acid mine drainage and its effects in the island should be addressed, not exacerbated by allowing the island to be mined further by Lafayette," said Frances Quimpo of the Center for Environmental Concerns-Philippines.
"It is very difficult to understand how the government can allow Lafayette to continue mining when it has already seen how Lafayette violated our laws, cheated the government of taxes, undermined the safety of the communities, and caused irreversible damages to our environment," pointed out Antonio Casetas, Head Servant of Sagip Isla, Sagip Kapwa, an island-wide environmental organization in Rapurapu.
"We have remained vigilant and have continued to protest in the streets, in spite the fact that the island is now being militarized, because this is the only way we can express our position. Our once peaceful island is not only being destroyed, it is now wrapped in apprehension and fear. We hope Lafayette and the government will let us be, " averred Ariel Arieto, leader of Lambat-Bicol, a fisherfok federation in the Bicol region.
Meanwhile, Defend Patrimony Spokesperson Trixie Concepcion asserted that Lafayette's operations in Rapu-rapu are still rife with irregularities, including under-declared revenues and falsification of public documents. "We are asking the Court to stop what DENR itself further affirmed as a grossly unfavorable mining project to the government," adds Concepcion.
"The mining issue in Rapu-Rapu is a matter of public interest in view of the environmental hazards and adverse health impacts that Lafayette mining operation poses. The people of Sorsogon are supporting the class suit, and we hope we can get justice," says Bishop Aruturo Bastes who headed the defunct Rapu-rapu Fact-Finding Commission.
"We do not trust that the Arroyo Administration, including the DENR, will heed our demands. She has after all already demonstrated her bias for the Australian mining firm and has intransigently clung to her mining liberalization policy to protect the interest of foreign transnational mining," said Clemente Bautista, national coordinator of the environmental activist group Kalikasan-PNE.
"This class suit is a fight not only against Lafayette but also a fight in defense of our patrimony," added Bautista. ###
Saturday, June 17, 2006
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)
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
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)
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
Friday, June 16, 2006
SCIENTISTS ON DENR DECISION TO RE-OPEN LAFAYETTE: UNSCIENTIFIC, UNSOUND AND ILLOGICAL
June 16, 2006
SCIENTISTS ON DENR DECISION TO RE-OPEN LAFAYETTE: UNSCIENTIFIC, UNSOUND AND ILLOGICAL
According to its very own summary of findings, the DENR found that:
a) The mine spills in Rapu-rapu were preventable;
b) Lafayette was guilty of lapses;
c) Lafayette does not measure up to standards of a responsible miner;
d) The DENR failed to adequately monitor the Rapu-Rapu operations; and
e) The sharing of benefits from the mining operations is grossly unfavorable to the Philippine government
Despite such negative findings, the DENR makes the illogical decision of allowing a 30-day test-run of mining in Rapu-rapu Island.
”It is a brazen example of how unscientific and illogical our government can be” according to activists scientists from AGHAM.
”How can Malacañang and Secretary Angelo Reyes reach a decision to allow Lafayette to operate when they themselves, from their very own findings, have pointed out long-term and substantial defects in LPI's operation?”, asks Dr. Giovanni Tapang, National Chairperson of AGHAM.
”Clearly the decision to allow the resumption of mining was not based on the technical findings of the Bastes Commission which was concurred to by many experts from different scientific disciplines.The decision to allow the resumption of mining in the Island was a result of political kowtowing to foreign interests and ignoring the clear and comprehensive scientific evidence from the Commission”, adds Dr. Tapang.
”If the decision-making process in government was trully scientific and democratic, Lafayette Philippines Inc., would not be allowed to operate”, says Ricarido Saturay, Jr. geologist at the UP National Institute of Geological Sciences and AGHAM member. ”This kind of unscientific policy making is what lowers the morale of scientists who are frustrated over unsound decision making process of the national government which often ignore scientific evidences that do not conform with its political agenda.
”Given the Marinduque mine spill of ten years ago, it is our conclusion that when it is the interest of the many versus the interest of a few foreign corporations like Lafayette or Marcopper, the government almost always sides with the foreign plunderers”, conlcudes Saturay.
”For us, the decision to allow Lafayette Philippines to operate is a lose-lose solution for the people. This unscientific, unsound and illogical reasoning allows for the continued destruction and plunder of our environment to the detriment of local peoples and the entire country”, declared Dr. Tapang###
SCIENTISTS ON DENR DECISION TO RE-OPEN LAFAYETTE: UNSCIENTIFIC, UNSOUND AND ILLOGICAL
According to its very own summary of findings, the DENR found that:
a) The mine spills in Rapu-rapu were preventable;
b) Lafayette was guilty of lapses;
c) Lafayette does not measure up to standards of a responsible miner;
d) The DENR failed to adequately monitor the Rapu-Rapu operations; and
e) The sharing of benefits from the mining operations is grossly unfavorable to the Philippine government
Despite such negative findings, the DENR makes the illogical decision of allowing a 30-day test-run of mining in Rapu-rapu Island.
”It is a brazen example of how unscientific and illogical our government can be” according to activists scientists from AGHAM.
”How can Malacañang and Secretary Angelo Reyes reach a decision to allow Lafayette to operate when they themselves, from their very own findings, have pointed out long-term and substantial defects in LPI's operation?”, asks Dr. Giovanni Tapang, National Chairperson of AGHAM.
”Clearly the decision to allow the resumption of mining was not based on the technical findings of the Bastes Commission which was concurred to by many experts from different scientific disciplines.The decision to allow the resumption of mining in the Island was a result of political kowtowing to foreign interests and ignoring the clear and comprehensive scientific evidence from the Commission”, adds Dr. Tapang.
”If the decision-making process in government was trully scientific and democratic, Lafayette Philippines Inc., would not be allowed to operate”, says Ricarido Saturay, Jr. geologist at the UP National Institute of Geological Sciences and AGHAM member. ”This kind of unscientific policy making is what lowers the morale of scientists who are frustrated over unsound decision making process of the national government which often ignore scientific evidences that do not conform with its political agenda.
”Given the Marinduque mine spill of ten years ago, it is our conclusion that when it is the interest of the many versus the interest of a few foreign corporations like Lafayette or Marcopper, the government almost always sides with the foreign plunderers”, conlcudes Saturay.
”For us, the decision to allow Lafayette Philippines to operate is a lose-lose solution for the people. This unscientific, unsound and illogical reasoning allows for the continued destruction and plunder of our environment to the detriment of local peoples and the entire country”, declared Dr. Tapang###
Environmental activists' slay linked to ODA review
http://www.malaya.com.ph/jun16/metro3.htm
June 16, 2006
MALAYA
Environmental activists' slay linked to ODA review
INTERNATIONAL environmental groups are set to raise the issue of environmental activists' slaying during the quarterly meeting in Tokyo on June 19 between the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and non-government organizations.
The environmentalists said they will bring up the issue with Japanese authorities when the latter review their support and funding for projects under the Official Development Assistance (ODA), especially in areas where such killings have taken place.
Hozue Hatae, Friends of the Earth-Japan campaigner, said environmental compliance and social acceptability are requirements in reviewing such projects. Hatae noted that 61 percent of the ODA loans to the Philippines come from Japan.
Clemente Bautista, national coordinator of the environmental group Kalikasan-PNE said 15 of the almost 700 victims of killings since President Arroyo came to power in 2001 are environmental activists. "They actively campaigned against environmentally destructive projects such as large-scale mining, commercial logging and mega dam project," he said.
Bautista said the most recent victims were environmental activist Marcus Bangit of the Cordillera People's Alliance who campaigned against large-scale mining in Kalinga Province; and peasant leader Jose Doton who opposed the San Roque multi-purpose dam project and the Agno River integrated irrigation project at the boundary of Pangasinan-Benguet.
The International Rivers Network, a US-based NGO that opposes destructive dam projects, said the international community of NGOs is very concerned with the rise on human rights violations against political activists, media people and environmental workers in the Philippines. – Reinir Padua
June 16, 2006
MALAYA
Environmental activists' slay linked to ODA review
INTERNATIONAL environmental groups are set to raise the issue of environmental activists' slaying during the quarterly meeting in Tokyo on June 19 between the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and non-government organizations.
The environmentalists said they will bring up the issue with Japanese authorities when the latter review their support and funding for projects under the Official Development Assistance (ODA), especially in areas where such killings have taken place.
Hozue Hatae, Friends of the Earth-Japan campaigner, said environmental compliance and social acceptability are requirements in reviewing such projects. Hatae noted that 61 percent of the ODA loans to the Philippines come from Japan.
Clemente Bautista, national coordinator of the environmental group Kalikasan-PNE said 15 of the almost 700 victims of killings since President Arroyo came to power in 2001 are environmental activists. "They actively campaigned against environmentally destructive projects such as large-scale mining, commercial logging and mega dam project," he said.
Bautista said the most recent victims were environmental activist Marcus Bangit of the Cordillera People's Alliance who campaigned against large-scale mining in Kalinga Province; and peasant leader Jose Doton who opposed the San Roque multi-purpose dam project and the Agno River integrated irrigation project at the boundary of Pangasinan-Benguet.
The International Rivers Network, a US-based NGO that opposes destructive dam projects, said the international community of NGOs is very concerned with the rise on human rights violations against political activists, media people and environmental workers in the Philippines. – Reinir Padua
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Bayan Muna condemns DENR order to resume large-scale mining in Rapu-rapu
June 14, 2006
Bayan Muna condemns DENR order to resume large-scale mining in Rapu-rapu
Bayan Muna Rep. Joel Virador condemned the recent government decision to allow Australian-backed Lafayette Philippines to resume large scale mining operations in Rapu-rapu island in Albay province.
"The decision of Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Angelo Reyes allowing Lafayette Phils Inc. (LPI) to resume large-scale mining operations in Rapu-rapu Island is a high crime against the environment. This decision sacrifices the people�s health and welfare in favor of foreign mining companies," Rep. Virador said.
"The DENR decision signals President Arroyo's bias toward foreign companies that will plunder our resources, destroy our rivers and seas, and violate national and international environmental laws," he added.
DENR Sec. Reyes announced yesterday the decision to allow LPI to resume open pit mining operations "with stringent monitoring by the DENR" in Rapu-rapu Island, Albay.
LPI was suspended in November 2005 due to the two spill incidents that resulted to cyanide contamination and fish kills.
Sec. Reyes issued a 30-day temporary lifting of its suspension order though it validated that Lafayette is guilty of technical, management and operational lapses that violate "responsible mining" standards.
"The Arroyo government has totally ignored the recommendations of the Rapu-rapu Fact-Finding Commission (RFFC). In fact, the Commission cited the DENR has been consistent in allowing LPI to violate the environmental protection requirements of its approved Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program (EPEP) and Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC). This shows that the decision actually favors Lafayette," Virador said.
The RFFC found out that the government stands to receive a two 2 percent (2%) production share in Lafayette�s large-scale mining operation in the form of excise tax.
"The RFFC revealed that government only received P2.086 million in excise tax collections out of Lafayette�s gross revenues of P134.4 million in 2005. Government also greatly reduced its total expected tax revenues from Lafayette from US$20.48 million to US$8.68 million due to the tax incentives and economic privileges that it granted to the Australian company under the 1995 Mining Act and the Philippine Export Zone Authority. Essentially, government and Lafayette are deceiving the public that billions of investments will be lost if mining is stopped. Rapu-rapu is expected to produce copper, gold, silver and zinc valued at only US$350 million over six years," Virador said.
"We continue to support the RFFC recommendation to cancel Lafayette's ECC, a moratorium on mining in Rapu-rapu and even work for the immediate repeal of the 1995 Mining Act," he added.
The militant solon is principal author of House Bill 3846 repealing the 1995 Mining Act as a "definitive first step to stop the far-reaching consequences of foreign exploitation of the nation�s natural resources."
The Catholic Bishops� Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), environment groups, people�s organizations and lawmakers have been calling for the scrapping of the Mining Act of 1995 and cancellation of all pending applications for mining permits.
"Foreign corporations in large-scale mining operations will never help the economy progress nor will they accede to our spotty justice system. The 1995 Mining Act will only bring a fleeting upsurge in a few indicators, unstable seasonal jobs and the massive degradation of the environment," Virador ended. #
Bayan Muna condemns DENR order to resume large-scale mining in Rapu-rapu
Bayan Muna Rep. Joel Virador condemned the recent government decision to allow Australian-backed Lafayette Philippines to resume large scale mining operations in Rapu-rapu island in Albay province.
"The decision of Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Angelo Reyes allowing Lafayette Phils Inc. (LPI) to resume large-scale mining operations in Rapu-rapu Island is a high crime against the environment. This decision sacrifices the people�s health and welfare in favor of foreign mining companies," Rep. Virador said.
"The DENR decision signals President Arroyo's bias toward foreign companies that will plunder our resources, destroy our rivers and seas, and violate national and international environmental laws," he added.
DENR Sec. Reyes announced yesterday the decision to allow LPI to resume open pit mining operations "with stringent monitoring by the DENR" in Rapu-rapu Island, Albay.
LPI was suspended in November 2005 due to the two spill incidents that resulted to cyanide contamination and fish kills.
Sec. Reyes issued a 30-day temporary lifting of its suspension order though it validated that Lafayette is guilty of technical, management and operational lapses that violate "responsible mining" standards.
"The Arroyo government has totally ignored the recommendations of the Rapu-rapu Fact-Finding Commission (RFFC). In fact, the Commission cited the DENR has been consistent in allowing LPI to violate the environmental protection requirements of its approved Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program (EPEP) and Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC). This shows that the decision actually favors Lafayette," Virador said.
The RFFC found out that the government stands to receive a two 2 percent (2%) production share in Lafayette�s large-scale mining operation in the form of excise tax.
"The RFFC revealed that government only received P2.086 million in excise tax collections out of Lafayette�s gross revenues of P134.4 million in 2005. Government also greatly reduced its total expected tax revenues from Lafayette from US$20.48 million to US$8.68 million due to the tax incentives and economic privileges that it granted to the Australian company under the 1995 Mining Act and the Philippine Export Zone Authority. Essentially, government and Lafayette are deceiving the public that billions of investments will be lost if mining is stopped. Rapu-rapu is expected to produce copper, gold, silver and zinc valued at only US$350 million over six years," Virador said.
"We continue to support the RFFC recommendation to cancel Lafayette's ECC, a moratorium on mining in Rapu-rapu and even work for the immediate repeal of the 1995 Mining Act," he added.
The militant solon is principal author of House Bill 3846 repealing the 1995 Mining Act as a "definitive first step to stop the far-reaching consequences of foreign exploitation of the nation�s natural resources."
The Catholic Bishops� Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), environment groups, people�s organizations and lawmakers have been calling for the scrapping of the Mining Act of 1995 and cancellation of all pending applications for mining permits.
"Foreign corporations in large-scale mining operations will never help the economy progress nor will they accede to our spotty justice system. The 1995 Mining Act will only bring a fleeting upsurge in a few indicators, unstable seasonal jobs and the massive degradation of the environment," Virador ended. #
International Environmental Groups echo calls for RP government to stop HRVs and summary executions
June 15, 2006
International Environmental Groups echo calls for RP government to stop HRVs and summary executions
"We, from the international community of non-government organizations are very concerned with the alarming rise of human rights violations and the spate of killings of political activists, media people, and, lately, of environmental workers in the Philippines," says Aviva Imhof, Campaign Director of International Rivers Network (IRN), in a press conference along with representatives from international environmental organization from Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. IRN is a US-based international non-government organization (NGO) that opposes destructive dam projects in the world.
"Of the almost 700 activist-victims of political killings since President Arroyo came to power in 2001, _15 are known environmental activists. They have actively campaigned against environmentally destructive projects such as large-scale mining, commercial logging and mega dam projects," reports Clemente Bautista, national coordinator of environmental activist group Kalikasan-PNE (People's Network for the Environment)
The most recent environmental activist killed is Marcus Bangit of Cordillera People's Alliance (CPA), who at the time of his death was campaigning against the entry of large-scale mining project in Kalinga province, and Jose Doton, a peasant leader who opposed to the San Roque Multipurpose Dam Project (SRMDP) and the Agno River Integrated Irrigation Project in the boundary of Pangasinan-Benguet. The two were assassinated by unidentified armed men last June 8 and May 16, 2006, respectively.
"As a representative of IRN which actively supports the campaign of people's organizations for the protection of rivers in the Philippines and the rights
of riverine communities, we share the grief of losing fellow environmental workers, some of whom I have personally met in the past. We extend our solidarity in the quest for justice of those they have left behind. We are asking President Arroyo and the Philippine government to decisively act on the issue of human rights violations and extend support to the victims' families. We regret that the human rights situation has deteriorated badly in this country which threatens its international image as a champion of people power and democracy," Ms. Imhof adds.
Ms. Hozue Hatae a campaigner of Friends of the Earth – Japan (FoE-Japan) which is currently monitoring the environmental compliance and social acceptability of Japanese funded projects in the Philippines said that the human rights situation in the Philippines is very volatile and serious. "In spite of the promises of the Philippine government to solve the human rights violations and the formation of many task forces to investigate these, killings continue unabated. We fear that these human rights violations could undermine the affected communities to freely express their position which is a necessay for the social acceptability of any Japanese-funded project."
"In projects funded by the Japanese government and financial institutions, our organization has continuously paid attention on HRVs at the local level. We have documented, that the local communities point to the military, police, and private security forces tasked or employed to secure these projects, as the perpetrators of harassments and other form of human rights violations. The people who opposed these projects are often vilified as leftists and communist terrorists by the authorities. One particular case is Mr. Jose Doton, whose local organization has closely worked with Japanese NGOs on the issue of San Roque Multipurpose Dam project. Before he was assassinated, his organization TIMMAWA was identified by the authorities as front of communist terrorists in the area," Ms Hatae recounts.
"The death of Mr. Doton, gave a great shock to the Japanese public and made them aware of the spate of killings happening now in the country. We are now raising the issue of human rights to the responsible Japanese government agencies and institutions as basis for reviewing their support and funding to identified mega dam, energy and mining projects."
The FoE-Japan documented several HRV incidences, based on testimonies of local communities, in Bohol Irrigation Project Phase II (Bohol), Northern Negros Geo-thermal Power Plant Project (Negros Occidental), San Roque Multi-purpose Dam Project (Pangasinan), Mindanao Coal-fired Power Plant Project (Misamis Oriental), and Coral Bay Nickel Process Plant Project (Palawan).
"There is an increasing trend of killings of environmental activists. Based on our documentation, most of the killings of environmental workers (11 of the 15 victims) are related to mining issues or occurred in areas where there is strong opposition to the priority mining projects of the government. These are in Mindoro Oriental, Palawan, Samar Provinces, Cordillera Region and Sultan Kudarat. We suspect that these killings, harassments or human rights violations are part of the Arroyo government policy to silence opposition to its implementation of the 'Mining Revitalization Program' or its so-called 'developmental projects" such as mega dams and coal power plants," Mr. Bautista explains.
"The Arroyo administration deserves the strongest condemnation possible from all sectors of our society. We will expose and oppose her anti-environment and fascist policy here and abroad. We will continue to campaign for international support to denounce here as the most fascist and worst human rights violator president of the Philippines" stated by Santos Mero of Cordillera People's Alliance.
Representatives from Korean-Asian NGO Center and Yon Ghe Community University of Taiwan also expressed their condemnation on the human rights violations and killings of activists in the Philippines.###
International Environmental Groups echo calls for RP government to stop HRVs and summary executions
"We, from the international community of non-government organizations are very concerned with the alarming rise of human rights violations and the spate of killings of political activists, media people, and, lately, of environmental workers in the Philippines," says Aviva Imhof, Campaign Director of International Rivers Network (IRN), in a press conference along with representatives from international environmental organization from Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. IRN is a US-based international non-government organization (NGO) that opposes destructive dam projects in the world.
"Of the almost 700 activist-victims of political killings since President Arroyo came to power in 2001, _15 are known environmental activists. They have actively campaigned against environmentally destructive projects such as large-scale mining, commercial logging and mega dam projects," reports Clemente Bautista, national coordinator of environmental activist group Kalikasan-PNE (People's Network for the Environment)
The most recent environmental activist killed is Marcus Bangit of Cordillera People's Alliance (CPA), who at the time of his death was campaigning against the entry of large-scale mining project in Kalinga province, and Jose Doton, a peasant leader who opposed to the San Roque Multipurpose Dam Project (SRMDP) and the Agno River Integrated Irrigation Project in the boundary of Pangasinan-Benguet. The two were assassinated by unidentified armed men last June 8 and May 16, 2006, respectively.
"As a representative of IRN which actively supports the campaign of people's organizations for the protection of rivers in the Philippines and the rights
of riverine communities, we share the grief of losing fellow environmental workers, some of whom I have personally met in the past. We extend our solidarity in the quest for justice of those they have left behind. We are asking President Arroyo and the Philippine government to decisively act on the issue of human rights violations and extend support to the victims' families. We regret that the human rights situation has deteriorated badly in this country which threatens its international image as a champion of people power and democracy," Ms. Imhof adds.
Ms. Hozue Hatae a campaigner of Friends of the Earth – Japan (FoE-Japan) which is currently monitoring the environmental compliance and social acceptability of Japanese funded projects in the Philippines said that the human rights situation in the Philippines is very volatile and serious. "In spite of the promises of the Philippine government to solve the human rights violations and the formation of many task forces to investigate these, killings continue unabated. We fear that these human rights violations could undermine the affected communities to freely express their position which is a necessay for the social acceptability of any Japanese-funded project."
"In projects funded by the Japanese government and financial institutions, our organization has continuously paid attention on HRVs at the local level. We have documented, that the local communities point to the military, police, and private security forces tasked or employed to secure these projects, as the perpetrators of harassments and other form of human rights violations. The people who opposed these projects are often vilified as leftists and communist terrorists by the authorities. One particular case is Mr. Jose Doton, whose local organization has closely worked with Japanese NGOs on the issue of San Roque Multipurpose Dam project. Before he was assassinated, his organization TIMMAWA was identified by the authorities as front of communist terrorists in the area," Ms Hatae recounts.
"The death of Mr. Doton, gave a great shock to the Japanese public and made them aware of the spate of killings happening now in the country. We are now raising the issue of human rights to the responsible Japanese government agencies and institutions as basis for reviewing their support and funding to identified mega dam, energy and mining projects."
The FoE-Japan documented several HRV incidences, based on testimonies of local communities, in Bohol Irrigation Project Phase II (Bohol), Northern Negros Geo-thermal Power Plant Project (Negros Occidental), San Roque Multi-purpose Dam Project (Pangasinan), Mindanao Coal-fired Power Plant Project (Misamis Oriental), and Coral Bay Nickel Process Plant Project (Palawan).
"There is an increasing trend of killings of environmental activists. Based on our documentation, most of the killings of environmental workers (11 of the 15 victims) are related to mining issues or occurred in areas where there is strong opposition to the priority mining projects of the government. These are in Mindoro Oriental, Palawan, Samar Provinces, Cordillera Region and Sultan Kudarat. We suspect that these killings, harassments or human rights violations are part of the Arroyo government policy to silence opposition to its implementation of the 'Mining Revitalization Program' or its so-called 'developmental projects" such as mega dams and coal power plants," Mr. Bautista explains.
"The Arroyo administration deserves the strongest condemnation possible from all sectors of our society. We will expose and oppose her anti-environment and fascist policy here and abroad. We will continue to campaign for international support to denounce here as the most fascist and worst human rights violator president of the Philippines" stated by Santos Mero of Cordillera People's Alliance.
Representatives from Korean-Asian NGO Center and Yon Ghe Community University of Taiwan also expressed their condemnation on the human rights violations and killings of activists in the Philippines.###
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