Bu-lat-lat (boo-lat-lat) verb: to search, probe, investigate, inquire; to unearth facts

Volume 3,  Number 20              June 22 - 28, 2003            Quezon City, Philippines


 





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Abra Governor Hits Pollution, Supports 'Save Abra River'

BANGUED, Abra – Abra Gov. Vicente P. Valera convened a multi-sectoral forum last June 11 at the provincial capitol in support of local actions to save the Abra River from pollution and siltation, allegedly caused by mining operations upstream.

BY ABIGAIL BENGWAYAN 
By Northern Dispatch (Nordis)

Reposted by Bulatlat.com

At the forum, representatives of the Save the Abra River Movement (STARM) presented the initial findings of the environmental investigation mission (EIM) – conducted since September last year – to members of local governments, non-government organizations (NGOs), church groups and other sectoral organizations.

Valera expressed support for the efforts to preserve the river and save the lives that depend on it. "I am elated to know that there are socially-responsible people who are concerned with the environment and are motivated to act in unison for the protection of our precious waters in Abra," he said.

The EIM report discussed the various biological, social, and agricultural impact on the river by industrial pollution in the area, mostly as a result of mining activities. Valera agreed with STARM in holding the Lepanto Consolidated Mining Corporation accountable for such ill effects.

Valera said "the destruction of the mighty Abra river would have disastrous effects on all Abreños," especially the fisherfolk. River pollution may be caused by the indiscriminate spilling or draining of mine tailings and other toxic wastes from the Lepanto mines out into the Abra river, he said.

"This is horrendous, extremely unacceptable and we consider it highly offensive against us," the governor added.

During the forum, NGO representatives disclosed that even in the past, cases of biodiversity loss occurred, which they attributed mainly to mining activities.

But Lepanto representatives dismissed the EIM results as "rehashed" and "baseless." The regional office of the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources also insisted that problems such as "sporadic cancers and loss of animals" were not for them to take on.

Community-based researches are ongoing to further support the initial findings of the EIM. Currently, the Abra provincial government through the governor's office, is taking part in the research endeavors for the EIM.

An official of the DENR's Mines and Geosciences Bureau had assured them that the bureau will issue a formal response to the EIM results. No such response was available as of presstime.  Bulatlat.com

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