SYDNEY - Australian-listed Lafayette Mining Ltd. said on Thursday it had asked key stakeholders for short-term financial support to ensure the sustainability of its Rapu Rapu mine in the Philippines.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Lafayette Mining seeking short-term financing for Rapu-Rapu
GDP grows 7.5% in 2nd quarter, highest in 20 years
http://www.mb.com.ph/BSNS20070831101650.html
By EDU LOPEZ
The Philippine economy, as measured by the gross domestic product (GDP), posted an impressive growth of 7.5 percent in the second quarter of the year, fuelled by industry and services sectors, the highest quarterly growth rate in 20 years.
"It is heartening to note the sustained strong performance of the economy in the second quarter, exceeding the forecasts by both NEDA and private firms," said Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Augusto Santos.
Palay production rose by 4.4 percent which remained healthy on account of increases in area harvested due to better irrigation and policy interventions such as the GMA rice program of the agriculture department. High value crops, fishery and forestry also supported the sector’s growth.
Quarrying also got a boost from the surge in construction on account of the property market boom and strong growth in public construction (39.6 percent).
On the external front, the continued weakness of the US economy and volatile oil prices continue to pose downside risks.
However, the steady economic expansion in Europe and Japan , as well as the fairly strong performance of other Asian economies, are positive developments, Santos said.
"All these seem to say that the macroeconomic reforms implemented have been effective so far. With this positive development, we cannot afford to be complacent. We have to continually raise the bar to ensure the economy’s solid growth, so that economic gains increasingly benefit the Filipino people," said Santos.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Asian stocks rally with Wall Street; Malaysia, Philippines enjoy GDP boost
In Sydney, the S&P/ASX 200 rose 1.2 percent, and the All Ordinaries index rose by the same amount.
Index leader BHP Billiton was up 1.8 percent at 37.72 dollars and Rio Tinto rose 0.8 percent to 90.86 dollars, helped by stronger commodity prices.
Betting companies were the main losers due to concerns about revenue losses because of an outbreak of equine influenza that has shut down horse racing in Australia.
Data boost
The South Korean Kospi added one percent. The Kospi outperformed during Wednesday's rout after data showing factory output grew much more than expected in July.
More domestic data are on tap with the service sector output due out Thursday and current account balance scheduled for release on Friday.
Posco was up 2.4 percent at 587,000 won. The world's fourth-largest steelmaker confirmed that it's planning a steel processing plant in Japan with Nissan Trading Co, a unit of Japan's Nissan Motor Co.
Investika says production ramp-up at Philippines nickel project continues
Of the comparative profit, about 3.05 mln aud related to a gain arising from the dilution of its interest in Belitung Zinc Corp PLC from 100 pct to 42.5 pct, the company said.
Lafayette Mining says seeking short-term financing
Australian-listed Lafayette Mining Ltd said on Thursday it had asked key stakeholders for short-term financial support to ensure the sustainability of its Rapu Rapu mine in the Philippines.
In requesting a temporary halt in the trading of its shares, Lafayette said it was awaiting a response from the stakeholders.
"This support is considered critical to allow the company time to explore its previously announced need to restructure its project debt and hedging obligations with the aim of ensuring the financial sustainability of the Rapu Rapu project," Lafayette said in a statement.
Rapu Rapu, located 350 kilometres (222 miles) southeast of the Philippine capital Manila, was the first foreign-owned mine to open in the country after the Supreme Court in December 2004 upheld a law allowing full foreign ownership of local mining projects.
However, it has been beset by problems, having been forced to close after cyanide spills in October 2005, and was further delayed by typhoon damage in late 2006.
(Reuters August 30)
Army bares NPA threat to attack mine firm
By Ephraim Aguilar
Southern Luzon Bureau
Last updated 05:41pm (Mla time) 08/30/2007
LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines -- The Philippine Army in Bicol on Thursday said the New People's Army's (NPA) is planning to launch an attack on the Lafayette Philippines Inc. to stop the controversial mining firm’s operations in Rapu-Rapu town.
Colonel Muhammad Nur Askalani, 902nd Infantry Brigade commander based in Villahermosa, Daraga, Albay, said military officers received the information on the alleged attack from civilian sources and other intelligence units on the island where Lafayette operates an open-pit copper and zinc mine.
Earlier, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CCP) criticized President Macapagal-Arroyo's family for its alleged control of the lucrative mining industry and ordered NPA rebels to attack and stop mining operations in the country.
Communist spokesman Gregorio “Ka Roger” Rosal announced a directive from the CPP to stop the operations of mining firms, mostly foreign corporations, in various parts of the country.
Askalani said despite the security threats, authorities are confident the military has enough forces on Rapu-Rapu to prevent any sabotage of the mining firm’s operations.
Lafayette officials expressed alarm over the intelligence report about the supposed attack, saying that it shouldn’t be ignored.
"The rebels could attack anytime," said one official who asked that he not be identified for lack of authority to speak on the matter.
Lafayette representatives snubbed the invitation to a forum organized by the multi-sectoral Save Rapu-Rapu Alliance (Sara) in cooperation with the Albay provincial government on Tuesday.
The forum was designed to discuss the environmental and socio-economic impact of the mining activity in Rapu-Rapu.
Atienza defuses tension in Vizcaya mining site
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Nation&p=49&type=2&sec=28&aid=20070830109
By KATHERINE ADRANEDA
The Philippine Star
Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza suspended Thursday the transport of the equipment of an Australian-owned mining company in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya amid opposition from tribal folk.
In a verbal order, Atienza barred the transport of drilling tools for Oxiana’s mining exploration in Kasibu town to prevent further hostilities between the anti-mining villagers and the company.
Atienza said he talked to Oxiana officials early Thursday and issued a “formal call” for a status quo or moratorium on the firm’s mining exploration.
“We have to move fast, so we had to call them,” the newly installed DENR chief said. “I told them ‘Let’s not rush into things… let’s talk it out first.’”
Atienza said the moratorium on the transport of Oxiana’s equipment could not be considered as indefinite, but a suspension “until we have ironed out things.”
“To develop an industry that is meant to benefit all... the local government unit and community members should always be part of the whole process,” he said.
Earlier, a local court issued an injunction against the anti-mining villagers, allowing the transport of Oxiana’s equipment to eastern parts of mountainous Kasibu town.
But despite the court injunction, the locals have stood their ground. With Charlie Lagasca
Aussie firm told to stop mining exploration in Vizcaya
Last updated 09:55pm (Mla time) 08/30/2007
The paramilitary forces were employed by Oxiana.
The secretary also called the Oxiana executives to a dialogue Friday to discuss the tribal folks’ concerns against the mining project, and draw up ways to address these.
“I’m happy because the governor is calling for a meeting. She’s mediating, that’s good,” he said. TJ Burgonio
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Scores hurt as residents, militiamen clash at mine site
Updated 19:15:01 (Mla time)
Melvin Gascon
Northern Luzon Bureau
http://services.inquirer.net/express/07/08/29/html_output/xmlhtml/20070829-85417-xml.html
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya -- Scores of tribal men and women were injured as paramilitary forces clashed with villagers in upland Kasibu town who were manning a barricade to prevent the entry of a mining company in the area Wednesday afternoon.
In a phone interview from the site, Sister Maria Eden Orlino, directress of the church-based Diocesan Social Action Commission here, said the victims, many of them women, sustained bruises and sprains as they were dragged by workers of Oxiana Philippines and members of the Citizens’ Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) from the path of a bulldozer that was trying to breach the barricade at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday.
The commotion, Orlino said, was triggered by the refusal of the picketers to clear the muddy mountain road for the passage of the bulldozer, which was to be used to clear the land at OPI's exploration site in Pao village.
The violence was quelled, Orlino said, due to the timely intervention of about 120 policemen deployed to the area for Thursday's implementation of a court order prohibiting the villagers from blocking OPI's equipment.
"It was such a sorry sight to see the protesters, especially the women, ending up with cuts and bruises, and torn clothes. Is this what government really wants to happen to our country?" she said.
An estimated 1,000 residents from six adjoining villages in Kasibu have been guarding the barricade in Paquet village to show their opposition to OPI's planned mining exploration.
The DSAC directress called on provincial officials to immediately intervene and mediate a dialogue among parties involved in the dispute to prevent the possible loss of lives due to the mining controversy.
©2007 www.inquirer.net all rights reserved
Monday, August 27, 2007
Bishop calls for dialogue over Nueva Vizcaya’s mining row
Updated 22:21:45 (Mla time)
TJ Burgonio
Inquirer
http://services.inquirer.net/express/07/08/28/html_output/xmlhtml/20070827-85017-xml.html
MANILA, Philippines -- Catholic Bishop Ramon Villena has appealed to indigenous people, a mining firm and environment officials to sit down for a dialogue to break the impasse over a mining project in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya.
Tension has been building up in the upland town after the tribal folk barricaded the road leading to the Oxiana Philippines Inc.'s exploration site in Pao Village.
There are fears a clash could break out once the police serves a local court order prohibiting the villagers from further barricading the road.
“I strongly call on the people concerned, the Oxiana Philippines, the MGB (Mines and Geosciences Bureau) and DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources), the provincial government and the Kired members to come to a dialogue and listen to one another respecting each other's inherent rights, responsibilities and accountabilities,'' Villena said.
Kired or the Kasibu Inter-tribal Response Toward Ecological Development is composed of residents opposed to the project.
The bishop of the diocese of Bayombong said that Oxiana Philippines has revived exploration activities in Pao without prior consultation, a prerequisite in the Indigenous People's Rights Act.
“The people are against the exploration activities of Oxiana Philippines in the area,'' he said in a statement.
The bishop said that while Oxiana claimed to possess “legal instruments'' that would legitimize their entry to Pao, the indigenous' people's rights could not be ignored.
“But what about the voice of the people? Will we close our ears to their cry and continue with the mining activities in utter disregard of their voice? This is the land of the indigenous peoples,'' he said.
“This land is their life, that's why it is called 'ancestral domain'. This is the land of their forefathers that will be handed down to their children's children.''
Villena said that the land did not belong to the Australian mining firm and accused it of “using investors money to extract minerals until they reach the bottom of the pit.''
“They will just leave the place and the land is gone, green has turned brown and gray, rivers have been silted heavily and worst of all, we are left with divided families, culture is gone, compounded social problems, and a groaning environment,'' he said.
The tribal leaders have vowed to continue blocking the road since it straddles a private land owned by one of those opposing the mining project.
The number of protesters, mostly tribal villagers from Pao, Paquet, Kakidugen, Biyoy, Cataraoan, Camamasi and Dine, has been growing for the past several days, especially in the aftermath of the issuance of the court order.
The villagers, composed of Bugkalot, Kalanguya and Ifugao, have been vocal about their opposition to the mining project, citing hazards to the environment and the population.
They questioned Oxiana's exploration permit issued in 2000.
©2007 www.inquirer.net all rights reserved
Saturday, August 25, 2007
1,000 villagers turn back mining firm
| By Melvin Gascon BAYOMBONG, NUEVA VIZCAYA—For the second time in six weeks, villagers in upland Kasibu town succeeded on Friday in repulsing a foreign mining firm which was trying to enter the area and conduct exploration activities. About 1,000 villagers forced a company truck to back off, stopping this from moving forward as it reached the barricade site in Paquet village, according to Benito Cudiam, a tribal leader. “It was a hair-raising experience. The people sat in the middle of the road, just waiting for the truck to reach them. They showed the company how determined they were in preventing its entry,” Cudiam said. At about midnight Friday, workers of Oxiana Philippines Inc., (OPI) an Australian firm, decided to turn back instead, when Kasibu Mayor Romeo Tayaban intervened. A rented bulldozer that company workers placed on standby and was supposed to be used for the opening of a new road leading to the exploration site, was never used, the villagers said. As the day’s events unfolded, representatives from Church groups and nongovernment organizations held vigil at the site. “For hours, tension was high in the area. We were so worried about what would happen after negotiations failed,” said Sister Maria Eden Orlino, directress of the Diocesan Social Action Commission. The Inquirer on Saturday sought Joey Nelson Ayson, OPI country director, and Jerrysal Mangaoang, director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau in Cagayan Valley, but they declined to give any comment. Members of Bugkalot, Ifugao and Kalanguya tribes from Pao, Paquet, Dine, Kakidugen and Cataraoan villages have been preventing the entry of OPI equipment to show their opposition to the company’s planned mining exploration. |
|
|
Church, NGO leaders move to prevent mining bloodshed
Updated 01:27:50 (Mla time)
Melvin Gascon
Inquirer
http://services.inquirer.net/express/07/08/25/html_output/xmlhtml/20070825-84596-xml.html
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—Leaders of the Catholic Church and non-government organizations have stepped into a broiling mining controversy in upland Kasibu town here involving tribal folk who have been blocking the entry of a foreign mining firm into the village.
They have raised concerns over a possible face-off between 1,000 villagers and 50 policemen involving the implementation of a court order that allows the entry of equipment to be used by Oxiana Philippines Inc., an Australian firm.
On Friday, provincial sheriff Voltaire Garcia and Senior Supt. Segundo Duran, provincial police director, travelled to the site to implement the injunction order, which prohibits villagers from further barricading the road leading to the exploration site in Pao Village.
Hear no evil
In a statement, Bishop Ramon Villena assailed Oxiana for refusing to listen to the sentiments of the oppositors who have been barricading the road since July 12.
“Yes, Oxiana claims they have in their possession legal instruments that would legitimize their entry to Pao. But what about the voice of the people? Will we close our ears to their cry and continue with the mining activities in utter disregard of their voice?” Villena said in a statement.
From 300 in the last few days, the number of protesters has grown to about 1,000, mostly tribal villagers from Pao, Paquet, Kakidugen, Biyoy, Cataraoan, Camamasi and Dine who continued to guard the barricade after learning of the court’s issuance of an injunction order.
Their leaders, who asked not to be named for fear of being cited in contempt of the court, said they would continue to block the road because it traverses a private land, the owner of which was opposed to mining.
Contempt fear
“If it becomes necessary that we will go back to our headhunting practices, then so be it,” a Bugkalot chieftain said in the dialect.
The villagers, composed of Bugkalot, Kalanguya and Ifugao, have been opposing the entry of Oxiana, citing possible hazards that its operations would bring to their environment.
They have also been questioning Oxiana’s exploration permit issued in 2000, the period of which was extended without consultation with the affected local communities.
The Inquirer tried but failed to reach for comment Joey Nelson Ayson, Oxiana country manager, and Lourdes Dolinen, liaison officer. They did not respond to requests for interview sent through their mobile phones.
Environment NGOs, including Alyansa Tigil Mina and Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (PNE), also joined the bishop’s call for government agencies to pave the way for a peaceful settlement of the standoff in Pao.
Tribal rights
“We call on government to heed the call of indigenous communities living in the area to respect their beliefs, culture and way of life,” said Merly Calubaquib, provincial manager of the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement.
“Oxiana is riding roughshod over the residents because government is turning a blind eye on the IP’s legitimate grievances,” she said.
But as the company, with the help of government, showed determination to enter the area through force, villagers continued to fortify their positions, sources said.
Lucas Buay, an Ifugao and chair of the Council of Leaders of the Kasibu Inter-tribal Response Towards Ecological Development (Kired), said two barricades have been set up in Paquet Village.
©2007 www.inquirer.net all rights reserved
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Puerto Princesa rejects mining projects
Last updated 03:59am (Mla time) 08/23/2007
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=84166
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY – The ongoing nickel ore rush in southern Palawan may have attracted all sorts of mining investors big and small, dubious and legit.
But the roads leading to the reddish brown soil that Palawan’s landscape is famous for just ended at the entrance to Puerto Princesa City, the province’s capital and host to wide areas of high grade nickel ore.
On Aug. 21, Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn declared that he will not approve any of the pending mining applications in the city at least during the remainder of his three-year term.
At the same time, he called for the filing of a resolution in the city council that will declare a 25-year moratorium on mining in Puerto Princesa City.
“If the mining companies can show me a place with intact forest cover and where people have become wealthy and healthy after a massive mining operation, I might change my mind,” Hagedorn told the Inquirer.
Hagedorn was reacting to questions on how the city government will respond to reported offers for assistance of major mining companies eyeing to put up nickel ore mining operations in Puerto Princesa City.“The ugly sight of the denuded forests of Sta. Lourdes and the mercury mine tailings that were dumped along Honda Bay only strengthens my resolve to oppose mining operations here in Puerto Princesa,” he added.
Hagedorn explained that the recent conversion of Puerto Princesa City into a highly urbanized charter city allowed it to be administratively independent of the provincial government and gave them the power to deny with finality all small-scale permit applications previously approved by the Provincial Mining and Regulatory Board (PMRB).
Small-scale mining permits are awarded by the PMRB.
In the case of Palawan, it is being utilized by big mining companies to start up large-scale mining operations, ostensibly because it is easier to acquire compared to large-scale permits given by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Hagedorn’s announcement effectively turned down reported overtures from several major mining companies, including Atlas Consolidated Nickel Mining Corp., whose subsidiary, Berong Nickel Mining Corp., is eyeing to set up operations near Ulugan Bay overlooking the St. Paul’s Subterranean River National Park.
Nickel deposits are located on the western coast of the city.
Individuals have also been granted by the PMRB mining claims over nickel areas around Barangays Napsan and Bacungan.
Tourism and agriculture
Instead of jumping into the southern Palawan bandwagon where all municipalities embraced mining investors with open arms, Hagedorn said they have mapped out “a strategic plan to boost our tourism and agriculture sectors.”
“In line with our sustainable development vision, we can only promote two major industries—tourism and agriculture. That is why we are allocating more funds to enhance our tourism program,” Hagedorn said.
City tourism officer Melinda San Juan Mohammad said they were investing on a plan designed with the assistance of the Asian Institute of Management to boost the city’s tourism receipts by at least 30 percent over the next three years “as a short term goal.”
“Our target is to develop ecotourism as a major economic activity. We aim to increase tourism receipts by at least 30 percent and yet maintain a low volume of tourist traffic,” Mohammad said.
From an annual tourist arrival average of 150,000, Mohammad said they were conducting promotional activities to attract 650,000 tourists in the next three years.
She explained that their plan will be boosted by the ongoing upgrading of the Puerto Princesa City Airport into a full-fledged international airport.
Mohammad also noted the potential of newly discovered attractions in the city, including whale shark and dolphin-watching tours.
“Our whale sharks and dolphins are getting very good media attention. We expect this attraction to really get lots of visitors,” she added.
City agriculturist Melissa Macasaet also said their development plans have focused on increasing the current productivity of the sector and the promotion of export crops such as cacao and cashew.
“Our main goal is to address poverty and reduce its incidence,” Macasaet said.
She said they were also promoting the planting of oil palm in open areas of Puerto Princesa City to popularize the industry.
Copyright 2007 Southern Luzon Bureau. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Mining firm's injunction bid granted
http://www.mb
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – A regional trial court (RTC) here granted last Thursday a petition for preliminary injunction sought by a mining firm conducting exploration activities at mineralrich villages in upland Kasibu town, this province.
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Nueva Vizcaya villagers keep up fight vs mining firms
Inquirer
Last updated 09:58pm (Mla time) 08/08/2007
KASIBU, Nueva Vizcaya—Officials and residents of this upland town decried the unabated intrusion of foreign companies trying to conduct large-scale mining explorations in remote villages here.
Mayor Romeo Tayaban said two Australian mining firms continued to explore mining prospects in their villages despite the stiff opposition from residents, composed of various tribal communities.
“Our town used to be peaceful and quiet, despite the economic difficulties. Look at what is happening to us now. It is all because of these mining companies,” he said.
Tayaban said his villagers were struggling to fight off three mining projects by Oxiana Philippines Inc. (OPI) and OceanaGold Philippines Inc.
Since July 12, tribal men have been guarding a barricade on a mountain road that leads to Barangay Pao to prevent OPI’s entry.
Twenty-two men, three of whom are Bugkalot and Ifugao village chiefs, are facing cases filed by OPI representatives at the regional trial court in Bayombong town for setting up the road block.
In Papaya Village, residents were protesting the entry of equipment to be used by OceanaGold for its exploration, fearing possible destruction of the watershed forest there. Water from the watershed irrigates the vegetable gardens and citrus plantations in the area.
In Didipio Village, eight farmers were charged by environment officials with illegal occupancy of forest lands after they rejected OceanaGold’s offer to pay for their occupational rights.
Didipio Village is the site of OceanaGold’s proposed gold-copper project, with about 90 hectares of its 375-hectare production area occupied by Kalanguya, Ibaloi and Ifugao farmers.
Tayaban said the people of Kasibu have long been aware of the economic gains that the mining project is expected to generate for them, but insist on planting fruit trees and vegetables.
Kasibu is considered the citrus capital of the country, with an annual output of about 10 million kilograms of oranges from an estimated 20,000 hectares of citrus plantations.
Ramoncito Gozar, Oceana-Gold’s associate director for communications and external affairs, said mining projects in the town would benefit the country.
“[The mayor] should realize that [the Didipio venture] is a government project for the good of the majority,” he said.
“He doesn’t like mining, but (OceanaGold) is a contractor of the Philippine government,” Gozar said.
Lourdes Dolinen, an official of the OPI, could not be reached for comment.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Piñol urges gov't to go slow on mining
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/gen/2007/08/07/bus/pi.ol.urges.gov.t.to.go.slow.on.mining.html
A PROMINENT government official in Central Mindanao, a region hosting various mining ventures, has called on the National Government to temper its aggressive promotion of the country's mineral resources, especially to foreigners.
Former North Cotabato governor and now the province's Vice Gov. Emmanuel Piñol chided Malacanang's attitude of pushing for more mining operations in the country, fearing "it will only aggravate the real threat of global warming."
"For the National Government to talk of starting efforts to arrest global warming but at the same time push for massive mining operations in many parts of the country is simply ironic," Piñol said in a recent statement.
Piñol instead suggested that the Philippine government give more focus to a well-planned and environmentally friendly agriculture to ensure the country's sustainable growth and at the same time contribute to the worldwide effort to combat global warming.
He asserted that history has proven that mining operations have greatly damaged the environment and have very little impact on rural development since rich multinational companies are the main beneficiaries.
"To talk of mining as the seeming hope for national economic salvation of the Philippines is to ignore the fact that nowhere is there a mining area in the country where people ended up prosperous after the mining operations," Piñol said.
In his nine-year term as governor of North Cotabato, Piñol has maintained the "No Mining" policy in the province emphasizing that "I am not willing to see my province's mountains ripped apart in search of a few kilos of gold or copper."
Instead, he said these mountains would be more useful for the people if these were planted to crops like rubber, oil palm or coconut.
Central Mindanao plays host to mining ventures, among them the copper and gold project of Sagittarius Mines, Inc. based in Tampakan, South Cotabato.
Piñol, who decided to slide down to vice governor to give way to his former vice governor, Jesus N. Sacdalan, who was elected governor last May, presided over the rapid transformation of North Cotabato from being one of the poorest provinces of the Philippines in 1998 to its current 29th rank among the top 30 provinces, according to the National Statistics Coordination Board (NSCB).
The economic turn-around of North Cotabato, which was once a battlefield for communist and secessionist groups and government troops, is attributed to what Piñol called "sustainable and market-oriented agriculture."
Under his leadership, areas for rubber, oil palm, coconut and bananas expanded through the province's Plant Now Pay Later program where farmers are given seedling loans payable upon the start of harvest.
Monday, August 06, 2007
Alan Cayetano elected head of Senate blue ribbon committee
INQUIRER.net
Last updated 07:48pm (Mla time) 08/06/2007
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view_article.php?article_id=80922
MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE 2) Opposition Senator Alan Peter Cayetano has been elected chairman of the Senate blue-ribbon committee as 22 other members of the majority bloc got the chairmanships of important committees in the upper chamber.
The Senate majority, which includes the nine administration and six opposition senators, got the chairmanships of 23 of the 36 Senate committees.
Senate President Pro Tempore Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada was chosen to head the Senate committee on labor, employment, and human resources development.Senate Majority Leader Francis Pangilinan, who by his position automatically chairs the committee on rules, was also elected chairman of the committee on accounts. Senator Juan Ponce-Enrile heads the committee on finance, which oversees the hearings on budget. The chairmanships of the committees on agriculture and food; banks, financial institutions, and currencies; and science and technology went to Senator Edgardo Angara.
Senator Richard Gordon chairs the committees on constitutional amendments, revision of codes and laws; government corporations and public enterprises; and tourism.
Senator Miguel Zubiri will head the committees on cooperatives; and urban planning, housing, and resettlement.
Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago got the chairmanship of energy; and foreign relations committees; Senator Gregorio Honasan, head public order and Senator Manuel Lapid, games, amusement, and sports.
Senator Pia Cayetano: environment and natural resources; and health and demography; Senator Francis Escudero: justice and human rights; and ways and means; Senator Ramon Revilla Jr.: public works and public information.
Detained Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, meanwhile, got the chairmanship of the Senate committee on civil service and government reorganization.
The minority bloc got only nine committees.
Senator Benigno Aquino III: local government; Senator Rodolfo Biazon: national defense and security; Senator Manuel Roxas: trade and commerce; Senator Ana Consuelo Madrigal: cultural communities; peace, unification, and reconciliation; and youth, women, and family relations; Senator Loren Legarda got economic affairs; and social justice, welfare, and rural development.
Only three committees are without chairpersons: agrarian reform, public services, and ethics and privileges. Administration Senator Joker Arroyo, who was chairman of the Senate blue-ribbon committee in the 13th Congress, and opposition Senator Panfilo Lacson, preferred not to get any chairmanship.
In Malacañang, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Sergio Apostol said he hopes Cayetano will act like a true statesman.
"He is already a senator, we hope he will totally act like a gentleman and a senator," he said in a telephone interview.
Asked anew if Malacañang foresees more investigation coming following Cayetano’s election to the blue ribbon committee, Apostol said, "There are no anomalies in Malacañang. We have nothing to hide."
During his stint as member of the House of Representatives, Cayetano accused President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s family of maintaining a multi-million dollar account in Germany.
The Arroyos denied the allegation and Hypo Vereinsbank issued a certification that the Arroyo family had no account with them.
With a report from Lira Dalangin-Fernandez
Originally posted at 06:14 pm
Ore-rich town decries mining exploration
| By Melvin Gascon KASIBU, Nueva Vizcaya -- Officials and residents of this upland town decried the unabated intrusion of foreign companies seeking to undertake large-scale mining exploration in remote villages. Mayor Romeo Tayaban said two Australian mining firms continue to explore mining prospects in their villages despite stiff opposition from residents who come from various tribal communities. "Our town used to be peaceful and quiet, despite the economic difficulties. Look at what is happening to us now. It is all because of these mining companies," he said. Tayaban said he was concerned about the hardships the villagers have been going through fighting off three mining projects being pushed by Oxiana Philippines Inc. (OPI) and OceanaGold Philippines Inc. Since July 12, groups of indigenous people have been guarding a barricade along the mountain road that leads to Barangay (village) Pao to prevent OPI from exploring there. Twenty-two men, three of them Bugkalot and Ifugao village chiefs, are facing cases filed by OPI representatives before the regional trial court in Bayombong town for setting up the road block. In Papaya village, residents are protesting the entry of equipment to be used by OceanaGold for its exploration, fearing possible destruction of the watershed forests there. Water from the watershed irrigates the vegetable gardens and citrus plantations in the area. In Didipio village, eight farmers were charged by environment officials with illegal occupancy of forest lands after they rejected OceanaGold's offer to pay for their occupational rights. Didipio village is the site of OceanaGold's proposed gold-copper project, with about 90 hectares of its 375-hectare production area occupied by Kalanguya, Ibaloi and Ifugao farmers. Tayaban said the people of Kasibu have long been aware of the economic gains the mining project is expected to generate for them. Despite this, he said, they insist on planting fruit trees and vegetables. Farmers here also produce vegetables that are sold in various parts of Cagayan Valley, Cordillera, Central Luzon and Metro Manila. Ramoncito Gozar, OceanaGold's associate director for communications and external affairs, said mining projects in the town would benefit the country. "[The mayor] should realize that [the Didipio venture] is a government project for the good of the majority. We, including all concerned, should follow laws and national government priorities," he said. "He doesn't like mining, but [OceanaGold] is a contractor of the Philippine government to do exploration on the FTAA [financial and technical assistance agreement] area, and development and mining on the area granted by the Philippine government," Gozar said. Lourdes Dolinen, an official of OPI, could not be reached for comment on Monday. She did not respond to text messages sent to her mobile phone. "Our people know what they want, and as their leader, I have to fight for their rights. I hope this government and the mining companies would respect the people's will," Tayaban said. He also aired his frustration over what he called "lonely battle" against mining, and called on Catholic Bishop Ramon Villena to help them. "[Church officials] used to tell us before to always [sustain] this fight. But where are they now? Even the bishop seems to have kept quiet while we are being besieged by these giant mining companies," Tayaban said. "Having the bishop on our side would be a great advantage because with his closeness to [President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo], he can just ask her to order these companies to leave Kasibu," he said. |
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Friday, August 03, 2007
Reds target mining firms
Friday, August 3, 2007
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20070802169
Communist guerrillas warned yesterday that they will mount attacks against mining operations in the Philippines, accusing foreign companies of leading the “plunder” of the country’s natural resources.
Rebel forces have “standing orders to carry out all necessary action and assistance to the people in preventing foreign big mining companies and their local big comprador and bureaucrat collaborators from carrying out the all-out plunder of our natural resources,” said their spokesman Gregorio Rosal.
He said the 7,000-member New People’s Army (NPA) would carry out “revolutionary action, people’s protests and other means to stop the plunder of the Philippine environment and natural wealth.”
The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, which has been waging a decades-old Maoist armed campaign.
President Arroyo has aggressively promoted the Philippines’ underdeveloped minerals sector as a key development path out of poverty for the nearly 40 percent of Filipinos who live on two dollars a day or less.
A mining law that took effect two years ago after prolonged legal challenges opened up the sector to foreign investment.
Last month Mrs. Arroyo also put the mining sector under the direct supervision of the presidential palace. – AFP
