Albay village put in state of calamity after fishkill

08 November 2007

LEGAZPI CITY—THE MUNICIPAL government of Rapu-Rapu in Albay placed Barangay Poblacion in a state of calamity on Wednesday after residents demanded immediate relief from the fishkill on Oct. 28.

Antimining groups immediately pointed fingers at the Lafayatte Mining Inc. as the one responsible for the fishkill, which they said took away the livelihood of thousands of villagers.

The mine firm operates an 18-hectare open pit copper and zinc mine in the island town east of Legazpi City.

Cleared

Five days after the reported fishkill, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources cleared the mine firm of any hand in the fishkill, saying the string of dead fish was found 10 kilometers away from the mine site.

The DENR, however, could not establish the cause of the fishkill. Neither could those pointing to the mining operations.

DENR sought the assistance of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in conducting tests.

Rapu-Rapu residents, who have been camping out in front of the municipal hall since Monday night, were not satisfied with what they called a “lukewarm response” of the municipal government.

Emotional

Fr. Andres Baliwas, Sta. Florentina parish priest of Rapu-Rapu, Albay said around 2,000 people, or 90 percent of the Poblacion populace, trooped to the municipal hall to wait for the outcome of the legislative session.

“The people had been very emotional. Some cried as they marched because the fishkill has made them poorer and left their children hungry. The fishermen still cannot fish,” Baliwas said in mobile phone interview.

He added that the 20 sacks of rice ordered released by the local government would not suffice for the long-term needs of the people, that was why they were calling for the closure of Lafayette so their livelihood would be protected.

Only 1 barangay

Rapu-Rapu Mayor Dick Galicia, in mobile phone interview, said the state of calamity was only confined to Barangay Poblacion because it was only where the fishkill reportedly occurred.

He said the municipal council first wanted to conduct its own, independent investigation before it passes a resolution urging the permanent stop of the mining operations.

On Saturday, the municipal council agreed to conduct its own fact-finding mission and to survey public opinion.

Similarly, the Albay provincial board also did not approve on Wednesday the resolution passed by Albay Vice Gov. Brando Sael urging the DENR to suspend the operations of the Lafayette Philippines Inc. while investigations on the fishkill were ongoing. Ephraim Aguilar, Inquirer Southern Luzon