Mining remainders - Reinvention, worries and fear-mongering
THE former copper mining town of Sta. Cruz in Marinduque is trying to reinvent itself as a tourism destination.
Blessed by pristine beaches, scenic nature spots, and historical landmarks, the former mining site of Marinduque Copper Mining Corp. (Marcopper) is 150 km south of Manila, which makes it more accessible to tourists than Boracay, Cebu or Palawan.
Groups fear destruction of watershed, sanctuaries
Tubay, Agusan del Norte — Environmentalist and religious groups expressed grave concern anew for destruction of watershed areas, fish and bird sanctuaries if government agencies continue to approve mining claims in this town.
The issue was raised by the group Tigom Batok Mina (Forum Against Mining), a multi-sectoral environmentalist watchdog based here.
They wrote letters to Roman Catholic Church Bishop of the Diocese of Butuan-Agusan, Monsignor Juan De Dios M. Pueblos and DENR Secretary Angelo Reyes to stop mining exploration and operation of three construction firms.
Left using antimining fronts, NBI told
The National Bureau of Investigations Bicol district office is looking at all angles in its investigation of the fish scare hoax in Sorsogon, including the possible role of some politicians and militant groups in using antimining fronts to block mining in the countryside to keep the rural population poor and susceptible to recruitment.
Lawyer Tomas Enrile, head of NBIs team that is looking into the hoax upon the request of Albays Sangguniang Panlalawigan, said the NBI is taking this issue seriously because if proven true, it would concern national security.
The economy must be protected against any destructive efforts by any vested interests or groups, including the militant because if they are allowed to succeed, then the peace and order situation will never improve, he said.
Enriles team is now trying to identify the people who started the fish scare hoax in Sorsogon. An unidentified group submitted fish samples contaminated with mercury for testing and used the results to scare the people from eating fish. About 5,000 Sorsogon fishermen were affected.
There’s nothing quite like re-assigning blame is there? The group(s) that submitted the samples in question are different from the groups who released the information on the mercury. This was clarified - under oath - during the Rapu Rapu Commission’s hearings. One of these parties is a government body. Let the NBI continue with its “investigating.”
