Tatad acts on residents' protest vs mining firms

Sen. Francisco S. Tatad warned the Department of Environment and Natural Resources yesterday that massive protest actions could derail an important mining project in Rapu Rapu, Albay unless the government conducts a sincere and extensive dialogue with the local population opposed to the project.

Through Bishop Jose Sorra, bishop of Legazpi, the people of Rapu Rapu have expressed concern that 4,486 hectares out of the island's total land area of 5,589 hectares have been assigned to two foreign mining firms, Lafayette Mining Corp., and Miracle Mile Mining Corp., for their exploration activities.

This means that only 19 percent of the land area, only two out of the 13 barangays,would be left untouched, said Msgr. Sorra in his letter of complaint, coursed through Tatad.

Residents are also worried about the effect on the environment, particularly marine life around the island, by the firms' reported use of cyanide and mercury in their activities.

Some diseases afflicting some residents are already being blamed on the exploration activities, Tatad said.

Tatad asked Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Antonio Cerilles and Health Secretary Alberto Romualdez to dispatch a team to Rapu Rapu to assess the situation and dialog with the population so as to assure them that enough safeguards would be instituted to protect them from any ill-effects of the mining activities.