http://www.mb.com.ph/OPED2006071969608.html
By Fr. Bel R. San Luis, SVD

DURING the 1980s, someone quipped that the government was engaged in mining industry — “this is mine, that’s mine, all is mine.”

Today, mining has been revived in the country, and the first mining company that was put up after over 30 years is the Lafayette Mining Limited.

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At this stage, however, a head-on collision is happening between Lafayette Mining Ltd.-Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the fact-finding committee, headed by Bishop Arturo Bastes of Sorsogon Diocese.

Based on the complaints of the local folks affected, there were two cyanide spills in 2005 at the Rapu-Rapu mine in Sorsogon province which polluted the rivers.

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Consequently, Lafayette Mining was ordered to stop operation and fined for R10.4 million. In addition, the mining company was ordered to install remedial environmental measures to avert a repeat of said pollution.

After the DENR had verified the installation of the safety measures, Lafayette Mining was permitted to operate on a 30-day trial.

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But here is the rub. According to Bishop Arturo Bastes, whom we interviewed in our Sunday radio program Salitang Buhay on DZMM, ABS-CBN at 8:30 p.m., the members of the fact-finding committee headed by himself remain adamant on their decision that the mining company should be closed.

Even with the remedial environmental measures, they believe that the people and the environment will always be under the grave threat of chemical pollution.

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Viewing it from the company’s side, if the fact-finding committee’s call for the permanent closure of the mining company has to be followed, it will mean a huge loss for the company which has invested millions of dollars in the project.

Obviously, the local officials and residents are against the closure since that would deprive them of the much-needed income and employment.

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In such an impasse, what should be a Solomonic solution to the issue? Could a compromise or a win-win solution be reached?

My personal opinion is: Why not give a chance to Lafayette Mining to correct its mistake. A permanent closure would be a big loss, premature and drastic.

If the remedial measures won’t work, then that’s the time the recommendation of the fact-finding committee should be followed.

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Come to think of it, giving a chance to Lafayette is also in keeping with Jesus’ teaching about the unproductive fig tree. The landowner wanted to have the tree cut down because it wasn’t bearing fruit. The caretaker, however, begged the owner to give it another chance while he would apply fertilizer.

Bishop Bastes, who’s a Scripture scholar and my classmate in Exegesis in the Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay, should know that.

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The mining industry is not only a big boost to our economy but it is also from mining that the bishops’ pectoral cross, the staff, and chalices are made.

Finally, the Lafayette Mining issue has its value. It is an eye opener and warning for mining companies on the safety requirements of their operations.

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BY THE WAY…when asked about the “envelopes” or gifts being distributed to the prelates after the CBCP meeting, Bishop Bastes said: “They were free to accept or turn them down.”
He added that the bishops are given them by the government to help them in their social action projects that benefit the poor.

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On the reception to the bishops after the CBCP assembly which was misconstrued by some sector as a “victory party,” Bishop Bastes said the purpose of the President in inviting the bishops is to have a dialogue with them about problems in their respective dioceses. “It’s more practical and convenient, meeting them as a group,” he went on, “rather than one by one in their respective dioceses.

“When certain problems are aired, the President orders the Cabinet official concerned to act right then and there. So, it’s much faster. Action agad!”

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On Bishop Deogracias Yñiguez filing an impeachment complaint against the President, Bishop Bastes said, “That’s personal and political. The majority of the bishops don’t share his sentiment.”