That the Bikol bishops as a group have decided to publicly oppose the persistent and ongoing mining operations at Rapu-rapu Island in Albay, even to the extent of writing a letter of appeal for support from the Pope, underscores the gravity of the present evil they are battling. Our communities need to join in this campaign to stop mining at Rapu-rapu.
The bishops’ letter categorically condemned the “intransigence of the Philippine Government” in allowing the continued mining operations at Rapu-rapu, despite “[the] findings of many scientific investigations that declared the island unsuitable for mining because of the potential ecological damage it can bring into the island.”
The bishops also pointed out that opposition to the mining project intensified after “two mining tailings spillage of October 11, 2005 and October 31, 2005, caus[ed] massive fish kills in and around the island.” They lamented that, notwithstanding these tragic events, the call on the Arroyo Administration to permanently shut down the mines “have fallen on deaf ears.”
It is clear that the present government will not effect, by its own accord and after being presented conclusive scientific evidences by the fact finding group commissioned by Malacañang itself , the closure of the Rapu-rapu mining operations (whose management has changed hands: from an Australian-based firm to a Korean one). Threats to the environment, to peoples’ lives and welfare, are outweighed by the economic gains proceeding from the mine’s operations. Compounding this perverted calculative logic is the fact that those economic gains do not benefit the local communities of Rapu-rapu, or even the province of Albay. The continued mining of Rapu-rapu benefits the foreign firm LG Kores and the public officials who allowed and still allow mining at Rapu-rapu.
Always eschewing violence, the Bikol church hierarchy and the members of the varied communities in the region, nonetheless, must take more radical steps in addressing this present evil. Efforts which would halt the operations need to be immediately discerned and exerted.
The evil taking place at Rapu-rapu need to be stopped once and for all.