Farmers and fishers of Leyte cry freedom from mining

Groups demand national intervention over Chinese mineral extraction

Press Release
June 12, 2012

MACARTHUR, Leyte  –  Due to threat to food sufficiency and security, villagers from MacArthur town in the province of Leyte urged the national government to act on the continuous conversion of rice fields to mining areas.

‘Since 2010, day and night, silence has become alien to our ears as loud machines continuously extract magnetite from a once rice producing irrigated lands,’ a farmer from Pongon village said, who wished not to be identified due to fears of harassment.

Landowners either sold or leased their lands to the mining company leaving their tenant-farmers jobless and eventually forced to work for Nicua Mining Corporation which exports magnetite sand to China.

A barricade has been installed by both the farmers and fisherfolk from the nearby Villa Imelda and Liwayway villages to prevent further damages to Lake Bito where tilapia fish is grown.

“A series of fish mortalities this year is enough and scientific studies from government agencies have proven that among others, oil and grease from mining have contributed to the recent fish kills in the lake,” said Jesus Cabias, president of Unahin Lagi Natin ang Diyos – Bito Lake Fisherfolks Association (UNLAD-BLFA)

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) stressed that three factors led to the fish kills in the lake.

“Domestic pollution, irresponsible aquaculture practice and contamination from oil and grease from the mining operations are factors that should be dealt with equally and comprehensively,” said Dr. Nancy Dayap, an environmental scientist from BFAR.

The study of BFAR complements the studies of the Visayas State University conducted by a team led by Dr. Humberto R. Montes, Jr., Director of the Institute of Tropical Ecology and Environmental Management.

“The elevation of the lake is lower than that of the mining site and naturally the turbid water coming from the mines will backflow through the lake’s outlet and eventually intrude the lake – the recent settling pond water backflow has proven this,” said Montes.

Montes further stressed that a study conducted in 2010 predicted that the water level of the lake may decrease if large excavations are conducted in nearby areas.

In a Solidarity Mission conducted by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines – National Secretariat for Social Action, Justice and Peace (CBCP-NASSA) and Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) together with the Social Action Centers of the Archdiocese of Palo and Dioceses of Cabayog and Borongan, the villagers in the barricade lamented the gradual drying up of Lake Bito.

“This is the first time in the history of the lake that it dried up and the water level has gone down, the theory of VSU experts are becoming true. We’re afraid, very much afraid – our freedom is suppressed and our economic, social and cultural rights are violated. Ganun na lang ba ‘yun? (Is that it?),” said Cabias.

Fr. Edu Gariguez, executive secretary of CBCP-NASSA and recipient of the international Goldman Environmental Award 2012, who led the Solidarity Mission said that the series of unfortunate events are gross negligence and plunder, violation of human rights and disrespect for the integrity of creation.

“What is the national government doing? We demand national intervention. For the villagers, there is imminent danger – their lives and livelihoods are at stake, sacrificed over Chinese demands. Can we eat magnetite sand? Why are we prioritizing mining over rice and fish production?” said Gariguez.

“We are calling the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ramon Paje to visit MacArthur and all other national officials to visit MacArthur to see for themselves how the Chinese suck our magnetite sand and transport it with ease to China. We are fighting for our sovereignty over Scarborough Shoal, but here in front of us – face to face – they are gradually claiming our lands,” Gariguez concluded.

DILG highlights disaster preparedness in Tapatan Roadshow

By MYLES JOSEPH E. COLASITO
June 11, 2012

TACLOBAN CITY  –  Secretary Jesse M. Robredo of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) led in the regional launching of the Seal of Disaster Preparedness during the Tapatan roadshow on Disaster Preparedness on Monday, June 11, 2012 held at DPWH Mutli-Purpose Hall, Government Center, Palo Leyte.

During his speech introducing the Seal of Disaster Preparedness and interfacing with local chief executives and their respective LGU DRRM officers; member agencies of the Regional DRRM Council; media; and civil society groups underscored the need for local governments to be both “mahusay at matapat”.

He expressed hope that the system of instilling good governance by providing incentives for performance while providing guidance on standards would be felt by the community.

Aside from leading in the signing of the pledge of commitment to Disaster Preparedness during the Tapatan roadshow, Secretary Robredo also distributed checks to seven (7) municipalities who were awarded in the 2nd round of the Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH) last 2011.

He also signed a Memorandum of Agreement with 20 LGUs who are recipients of the Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig (SALINTUBIG) 2012 program.

Likewise he signed a Usufruct contract with the provincial government of Leyte led by Governor Carlos Jericho L. Petilla on the use of the lot where the regional office and Leyte provincial offices are located.

Earlier, Secretary Robredo awarded medals of merit to several deserving police officers during the Flag Raising Ceremonies at the Police Regional Office-8 in Palo, Leyte. A press conference was likewise held by Secretary Robredo at the PNP regional office.

The regional forum, with the tagline, "Magtapatan tayo: handa na ba kayo?" is a nationwide initiative of the department acting as Vice Chair of the National DRRM Council for Disaster Preparedness. The series of regional forums aims to harness commitment of LGUs to formulate and implement DRRM Plans; ensure establishment of DRRMOs and to clarify the roles and issues regarding disaster preparedness.

Samar province taps various agencies to support former rebels

By DPAO, 8ID PA
June 9, 2012

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan Samar  –  The 8th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division, Philippine Army participated in the Resource Mapping Activity as part of the Local Integration Program (LIP) of the Provincial Government of Samar on June 8, 2012 at the Governor’s Office, Provincial Capitol, Catbalogan City.

The resource mapping intends to tap government and private agencies in identifying available services within their respective organizations to be included in the LIP package for former rebels.

Part of the activity is the drafting of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the Local Social Integration Plan of Samar with LtCol. Cerilo C Balaoro Jr, Commander, 87IB heading the 8ID delegation. The activity was also attended by representatives from PSWDO, PPO PNP, Department of Health, Office of the Governor, TESDA, DEPED, DILG, CSO of Samar and Ms Emy Bantillo of OPAPP.

Recently, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Samar had passed a resolution adopting the Comprehensive Local Integration Program as the Local Social Integration Framework of the Province and created/functionalized the Joint Validation and Authentication Committee under Executive Order No. 02, Series of 2012 as a sub-committee of the Samar Provincial Peace and Order council. 28 April 2012, Adoption of Comprehensive Integrated Program.

“The 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army will fully support the Local Integration Program of the Provincial Government of Samar in order to attain a genuine peace in the Province” BGen Gerardo T Layug, Commander, 8ID, PA said. “We also call on the rebels who want to join the peace and development efforts of the government to avail of the Provincial Government’s Program” for former rebels,” added Layug.

In Northern Samar, the Provincial Government also passed an Ordinance 05 series of 2011, granting monetary rewards to facilitators of voluntary surrender of any CT member last May 2011. The ordinance is part of the Local Integration Program of the Province.

DILG highlights disaster preparedness in Tapatan forum

Press Release
June 9, 2012

TACLOBAN CITY  –  In order to highlight the need for local government units and all stakeholders to be prepared for any disaster, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 8 will conduct its own edition of the Tapatan roadshow on Disaster Preparedness on Monday, June 11, 2012.

According to DILG-8 RD Pedro A. Noval Jr. the activity at 9:00 AM - 12 noon at DPWH Multi Purpose Hall, in Palo, Leyte to be headed by DILG Secretary Jesse M. Robredo will see the regional launching of the Seal of Disaster Preparedness. The series of regional forums aims to harness commitment of LGUs to formulate and implement DRRM Plans; ensure establishment of DRRMOs and to clarify the roles of everyone regarding disaster preparedness.

A PressCon will be held at the PNP Regional Office-8 Conference Room from 9:00-10:00 AM, right after the Flag-Raising Ceremonies at the parade grounds.

Thereafter, Sec. Robredo will proceed to the DPWH Multi-Purpose Hall, Government Center, Candahug, Palo, Leyte for his speaking engagement and interfacing with local officials and other stakeholders in the Tapatan on Disaster Preparedness.

The regional forum, with the tagline, "Magtapatan tayo: handa na ba kayo?" is a nationwide initiative of the department acting as Vice Chair of the National DRRM Council for Disaster Preparedness. It aims to harness commitment of LGUs and stakeholders for concrete actions to prepare against disasters. It likewise seeks to clarify roles and issues regarding disaster preparedness.

Aside from Local Chief Executives, also invited to the gathering are the respective LGU DRRM officers; member agencies of the Regional DRRM Council; media; as well as civil society organizations and private organizations with advocacies on DRRM.

Highlights include: an Interfacing with Secretary Robredo; distribution of checks to seven (7) municipalities who were awarded in the 2nd round of the Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH) last 2011; a signing  of a Memorandum of Agreement with 20 LGUs who are recipients of the Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig (SALINTUBIG) program; signing of the USUFRUCT contract with the provincial government of Leyte on the use of the lot where the regional office and Leyte provincial offices are located; and signing of the pledge of commitment to Disaster Preparedness of all participants.

DAR installs 17 officials in Eastern Visayas

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
June 8, 2012

TACLOBAN CITY  –  Pursuant to Special Orders 144 and 232 issued by Agrarian Reform Secretary Virgilio delos Reyes, seventeen (17) reassigned and newly designated officials were installed in the different DAR offices in Eastern Visayas.

The implementation of said Special Orders was capped with Regional Director Eliasem Castillo of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Region 8 formally installing on Thursday, May 31, Lawyer Sheila Enciso, former Leyte Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer (PARO) Oscar Reloj and Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officer (CARPO) Melecia Ong to their new posts as the Regional Agrarian Reform Adjudicator (RARAD), Assistant Regional Director for Administration (ARDA) and chief of the Operations Division all at the regional office here, respectively.

Other officials mentioned in the two special orders and their assignments are: Atty. Nellie Canillas Dulfo as Provincial Agrarian Reform Adjudicator for Northern Samar; Ismael Aya-ay as PARO-II, Biliran; Elisea Orapa as PARO-II, Southern Leyte; Pax Rojas as PARO-II, Samar; Leovigildo Monge as PARO-II, Leyte; Ramon Castroverde as PARO-I, Southern Leyte; and Leonora Asaldo as Chief, Operations Division, Biliran.

The other newly installed officials were Noel Salloman as Chief, Beneficiaries Development Coordinating Division, Biliran; Danilo Lozada as Chief, Administrative Division, Southern Leyte; Francisco Diloy as Chief, Beneficiaries Development Coordinating Division, Leyte; Rosemarie Balanquit as Chief, Administrative Division, Northern Samar; Jose Balberde as Chief, Beneficiaries Development Coordinating Division, Northern Samar; Tomas Martinez as Chief, Operations Division, Leyte; and Atty. Bryan Lassiter as Chief, Legal Division, Eastern Samar.

They were earlier recommended by the Regional Director to take the said posts as he believed them to be the best in their fields.

Director Castillo expressed optimism that implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) particularly in the acquisition and distribution of the remaining 66,000 hectares of agricultural lands in the region will be accelerated now that “we have put the right persons in the right posts.”

The movements in the DAR Eastern Visayas came as a result of the retirement of RARAD Wilfredo Navarra, ARDA Antonio Tan, PAROs Venerio Yap of Biliran and Gregorio Fiel Jr. of Samar and DAR-Biliran Operations Division Chief Violeta Abad from government service, Mr. Soria informed.

Sen. Pia: After 1 year of debates, RH Bill hurdles period of interpellation, moves on to amendments

By Office of Senator Pia S. Cayetano
June 6, 2012

PASAY CITY  –  Slowly but surely, the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) Bill is moving forward in the Senate.

After nearly one year of plenary debates, the chamber on its Tuesday session terminated interpellations on Senate Bill No. 2865, the proposed ‘Reproductive Health Act.’ The measure co-sponsored by Senators Pia Cayetano and Miriam Defensor-Santiago moves on to the next stage, the period of amendments.

“I’m happy and relieved that after almost a year of defending the RH Bill, we have finally terminated the period of interpellation,” said Cayetano, Chairperson of the Senate Committees on Health and Demography and on Youth, Women and Family Relations, “I’m now looking forward to starting the period of amendments.”

In an unexpected turn yesterday, Senate President Juan Enrile, a known critic of the bill, withdrew his intent to resume his interpellation after all other interpellators were done with their turn. This prompted Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III to manifest that there were no more senators left to ask questions on the bill before moving to terminate the period of interpellation.

Cayetano delivered her sponsorship speech on the RH Bill nearly one year ago on June 7, 2011. Since then, a total of nine senators had taken the floor to interpellate the lady sponsors.

“There have been a lot of points raised by my colleagues that we will be able to use to improve the bill, and I would like to thank them for sharing their inputs and concerns with me,” she pointed out. “I certainly hope that in that whole year that we’ve spent debating on the bill, my co-sponsor (Defensor-Santiago) and I have also been able to enlighten some of them on their questions and concerns.”

She continued: “I’d like to reassure everyone that we’ll continue to work hard on this measure with the end in view of passing an RH Bill at the soonest possible time while also taking into consideration the valid points raised by some of our colleagues.”

Cayetano concluded by thanking the ‘Pro-RH’ groups and individuals who had religiously attended the Senate sessions to follow the debates and provide inputs to support the sponsors.