Bishop, gov back test run of mines in Rapu-Rapu
First posted 11:49pm (Mla time) July 07, 2006
By Bobby LabalanInquirer
http://news.inq7.net/archive_article/index.php?ver=1&index=1&story_id=8713
Editor's Note: Published on Page A17 of the July 8, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
SORSOGON CITY—Two ranking and influential leaders of the province had expressed support for the scheduled test run of the mining operation at the island of Rapu-Rapu in Albay province.
Gov. Raul Lee and Bishop Emeritus Jesus Varela both endorsed the test run, saying it would determine whether or not the installed systems and other steps taken by the firm to make up for two spills last year would pass tests.
Environment Secretary Angelo Reyes was in the mining site yesterday to personally oversee the start of the 30-day test run.
It was the first time ever that Bishop Varela, the predecessor of antimining Bishop Arturo Bastes, came out in public with a statement about the mining issue in Rapu-Rapu.
Bastes was appointed head of a body that investigated the waste spills.
Varela said he sees nothing wrong in mining operations for as long as they comply with ethical concerns such as safety of the environment, community and those involved in the mining operation themselves.
Mining
He said mining is one important industry that must be given a chance to grow as it would greatly help in economic development.
Bishop Varela’s stand was directly opposed to the stand of his successor, Bishop Bastes, who headed the Rapu-Rapu Fact-finding Commission which recommended the total closure of the mining operation on the island.
Bishop Bastes was in Manila for the regular assembly of the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines and sent a text message to the Inquirer saying that he was “dismayed” over the scheduled test-run of Lafayette.
Lee, meanwhile, said that a thorough test run must be conducted to “once and for all determine the viability of Lafayette’s operation and to determine whether it’s environmentally safe.”
In a text message sent to the Inquirer, Fr. Lino Bugaoisan, Rapu-Rapu parish priest and a staunch anti-Lafayette advocate, expressed apprehension that incidents similar to the spill last year could again occur anytime once the mining operation is allowed to resume.
Bugaoisan said Rapu-Rapu could be the next Marinduque, Diwalwal, or Guinsaugon which were all hit by environmental disasters.
The local government of Rapu-Rapu and the barangay councils around the mining area all supported the resumption of Lafayette’s operation.
By Bobby LabalanInquirer
http://news.inq7.net/archive_article/index.php?ver=1&index=1&story_id=8713
Editor's Note: Published on Page A17 of the July 8, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
SORSOGON CITY—Two ranking and influential leaders of the province had expressed support for the scheduled test run of the mining operation at the island of Rapu-Rapu in Albay province.
Gov. Raul Lee and Bishop Emeritus Jesus Varela both endorsed the test run, saying it would determine whether or not the installed systems and other steps taken by the firm to make up for two spills last year would pass tests.
Environment Secretary Angelo Reyes was in the mining site yesterday to personally oversee the start of the 30-day test run.
It was the first time ever that Bishop Varela, the predecessor of antimining Bishop Arturo Bastes, came out in public with a statement about the mining issue in Rapu-Rapu.
Bastes was appointed head of a body that investigated the waste spills.
Varela said he sees nothing wrong in mining operations for as long as they comply with ethical concerns such as safety of the environment, community and those involved in the mining operation themselves.
Mining
He said mining is one important industry that must be given a chance to grow as it would greatly help in economic development.
Bishop Varela’s stand was directly opposed to the stand of his successor, Bishop Bastes, who headed the Rapu-Rapu Fact-finding Commission which recommended the total closure of the mining operation on the island.
Bishop Bastes was in Manila for the regular assembly of the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines and sent a text message to the Inquirer saying that he was “dismayed” over the scheduled test-run of Lafayette.
Lee, meanwhile, said that a thorough test run must be conducted to “once and for all determine the viability of Lafayette’s operation and to determine whether it’s environmentally safe.”
In a text message sent to the Inquirer, Fr. Lino Bugaoisan, Rapu-Rapu parish priest and a staunch anti-Lafayette advocate, expressed apprehension that incidents similar to the spill last year could again occur anytime once the mining operation is allowed to resume.
Bugaoisan said Rapu-Rapu could be the next Marinduque, Diwalwal, or Guinsaugon which were all hit by environmental disasters.
The local government of Rapu-Rapu and the barangay councils around the mining area all supported the resumption of Lafayette’s operation.
posted by lrcluzonblog at
12:14 AM
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