TVI Hails Government Position On Rapu-Rapu Report

ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE (Zamboanga Journal / 21 May) A TVI statement released Sunday said it was supporting the stand of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo vis-à-vis the recommendations of the Bastes Commission.

Arroyo on Saturday thumbed down turned down proposals to impose a total ban on mining after toxic spills at the Rapu-Rapu mining site run by the Australian firm Lafayette in Albay outside Manila.

The government vowed to strictly enforce laws and safety standards governing mineral exploration in the country and assured the public that it would carefully review and consider the 10 recommendations submitted by the Rapu-Rapu Fact-Finding Commission, headed by Bishop Arturo Bastes of Sorsogon.

Arroyo created the commission to investigate toxic spills in Albay and to respond to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines pastoral letter calling for a mining ban.

"A ban on mining is not the answer, but the standards and safeguards already in place and existing laws must be strictly enforced," Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said.

TVI said Manila's position sends a clear and welcome signal to the international community that the Philippines is committed to attracting mineral explorers and developers who can bring in major investments but who also subscribe to the principles of sustainable development.

As demonstrated in a recent study by foreign Embassies in the Philippines, the Mining Act of 1995 is as good as any other law regulating minerals development in the most progressive countries in the world – whose economies have flourished and continue to flourish via mining, it said.

"Properly harnessed, the Philippines’ mineral resources will generate significantly greater investments and economic development opportunities, especially in the countryside, as are currently being experienced by our Subanon indigenous hosts in Canatuan, Siocon Zamboanga del Norte."

"With the proper laws already in place, the focus of attention can be on effective regulation and implementation. We recognize the significant efforts of the Arroyo Government towards this end, and we support their view that more needs to be done, first, to extend the capacity of regulatory agencies; and, second, to align policies so that the benefits of and revenues from mining operations will more greatly benefit host communities and local government units," TVI said.

It said TVI remains committed to promoting responsible mining under the principles of sustainable development. "We will continue to strive to make our operations environmentally, socially and economically sustainable," it said.