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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