ENVIRONMENT WATCH

Abra River Pollution
Lepanto Denies Dumping Cyanide, Other Mine Tailings into Historic River

BAGUIO CITY -­ It is puzzling how the Lepanto Consolidated Mining Corporation (LCMCo or Lepanto) can insult people’s common sense by saying that they are not dumping wastes in the Abra River ­as if 3,000 kilograms of cyanide everyday can simply evaporate into thin air and 1,300 tons of daily debris can miraculously disappear.

By Milena Roque
Northern Dispatch Weekly
Posted by Bulatlat.com

This is the enraged reaction of Sr. Emma Cupin of Missionary Sisters of Mary and of the Save the Abra River Movement (STARM) on the occasion of the National Minority Week celebration here a week ago.

STARM is a multi-sectoral network campaigning against the destruction of the Abra River by mining activities, allegedly largely by Lepanto.

“It is even more ridiculous for Lepanto to claim that their dam can withstand a 900-year flood when they have a consistent record of tailings dam collapses that have poisoned crops and destroyed the people’s livelihood,” adds Sister Cupin.

According to STARM, Lepanto has denied corporate responsibility to the study of the National Institute of Geological Studies that barangays (villages) Poblacion and Colalo in Mankayan are sinking to a magnitude comparable to the Cherry Hills disaster in Antipolo, Rizal in 1999. Scores of people were buried alive in that mudslide.

“Blinded by greed, the Lepanto can no longer see the pain of the national minorities and the communities surrounding the Abra River who have endured untold suffering as complaints and petitions pile up for two-thirds of a century,” Sister Cupin relates.

“Save the Abra River” and “Stop Lepanto expansion” among other placards were held up by the national minorities as they picketed in front of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Cordillera office here.

Clearing the issues

STARM and Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) representatives were met by Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Director Neoman dela Cruz as the latter heard the program going on in front of his office.

Dela Cruz commented that STARM barely concludes that river population can only be traced to corporate mining activities. With this, he said his office is determined to have further studies on the effects of mining to agricultural and aquatic life in Abra.

Dela Cruz said Lepanto funded a P1.5 million research study “to once and for all clear the issue.” The study, now on its first phase, is headed by the Mine Rehabilitation Fund Committee with multi-sectoral representatives, including those from Lepanto, participating.

In a press conference here last month, Lepanto corporate environmental manager Glenn Batilando welcomed the suggestion to include STARM in the research group, “as long as they would abide by the rules and regulations of the monitoring body.”

CPA chairperson Joan Carling asked dela Cruz why, despite the media-announced invitation, STARM was never formally notified of or invited into the research.

Dela Cruz in turn said he could not decide alone because it is a committee, and that they were waiting for STARM’s formal request.

“However, it’s not yet too late,” dela Cruz clarified.

CPA also asked dela Cruz that the affected communities be consulted and informed of the extent of the ongoing research study, and community representatives be accommodated in the research group.

Although hesitant at first, saying such work needs expertise, dela Cruz finally asked the names of the community representatives and promised to endorse STARM participation.

Not just Lepanto

Meanwhile, picketers outside the DENR building carried on with their speeches and pointed out who the “peoples’ enemies” are.

“With our minds clear, our whole humanity rages for justice to realize that we are facing not only the giant enemy Lepanto, but the bigger foe -­ our national government itself,” explained Sister Cupin.

Despite the damages to the lands and the people, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo now “intensifies foreign and destructive mining as a roadmap to so-called ‘development,’ ” she also said.

The Cordillera peoples are now faced with the impending passage of the National Minerals Policy, fearing their already massive sufferings will be multiplied, the sister further said. “The destruction of the national minorities’ land, life, and resources therefore thrives and proliferates in a policy environment of outright national oppression with our own government selling out our patrimony, which is treasonous even to our own Constitution,” she concluded. NORDIS/Posted by Bulatlat.com

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