PIA Press Release
04/27/2005
Defensor cites importance of mining project in Albay
by AS Araya
LEGAZPI CITY (27 April) -— Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Michael Defensor said over the weekend the mining project in Rapu-Rapu, Albay can “make or break” the mining industry in the country.
The mining project, run by the Lafayette Pollymetallics Mining Company, an Australian firm, is the first to be opened in Bicol and in the country under the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.
Defensor said during a press conference and dialogue with local officials here that he wanted the Rapu-Rapu project to be successful and to “prove to our people that responsible mining is possible.”
“Rapu-Rapu is the showcase of the Philippine government in the initial testing or the gauge of international investors in coming into the country,” he said, adding that there are ten more Australian firms in the country looking at Rapu-Rapu whether it will be successful or not.
The DENR top official said these firms are watching how the Philippine government will handle the coming of the mining investment. “If something goes wrong with Rapu-Rapu, this would affect the entire mining investment in the country.”
He said the projected initial total investment in the country is $6 billion, with a separate investment area which will amount to $3 billion.
In Rapu-Rapu, the total investment of Lafayette is US$42 million, US$39.12 million of which have been infused into the area, Defensor said.
In Camarines Norte, the total investment in mining is about $3 billion that can provide employment to about 15,000 people, and earn an annual income of more or less P150 million a year for the province, the municipality and barangay, according to the DENR chief.
“We start with Rapu-Rapu, but a lot of projects are coming in Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Masbate, all over Bicol,” he said, expressing the hope that if mining is done properly and with people support, in five years Bicol will be one of the richest regions in the country.
Defensor visited the Bicol region twice this month. The first was last April 18 when he accompanied President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who inaugurated a $1.8 billion worth of project (earlier signed in China) in Paracale, Camarines Norte before proceeding to lead in the formal opening of the Palarong Bikol 2005 held at the Freedom Sports Complex in San Jose, Pili, Camarines Sur.
The second visit was last weekend. He arrived last Saturday upon the invitation of City Mayor Noel E. Rosal to serve as guest speaker in the 2005 Earth Day Celebration and at the launching of the Water Arts Festival held at the Legazpi City Boulevard.
While in this city, Defensor, aside from holding a press conference, signed a memorandum of agreement with Albay Governor Fernando V. Gonzalez and Camarines Sur Governor El Rey Villafuerte for the development of ecotourism areas in Mt. Mayon Natural Park and Caramoan National Park respectively. He also dialogued with Governor Gonzalez and some Albay mayors.
Last Sunday morning, the DENR boss, accompanied by DENR Bicol regional executive director Oscar M. Hamada, EMB regional director Gilbert Gonzales and other DENR regional officials, went to Donsol, Sorsogon to attend the Butanding Festival, and for a dialogue with Governor Raul Lee and some Sorsogon mayors.
After lunch, Defensor, with RED Hamada, flew by helicopter to the mine site in Rapu-Rapu where he was met by MGB Reynulfo Juan and officials of the Lafayette Polymetallics Mining Company.
In the evening, Defensor met with DENR regional, provincial and community officials at the DENR regional office here.
He told the officials that he was very happy with the Bicol region because “Bicol is doing something exemplary; there are no issues here, you are doing our programs well, no graft and corruption and no problems with our officials.”
Defensor congratulated Hamada, who in turn, congratulated the DENR Secretary for placing No. 4 in the latest Social Weather Station (SWS) survey by getting a 35 per cent approval rating compared to No. 1’s 44 per cent.
Hamada said this was a “first” in the DENR because in the past SWS survey the DENR usually placed No. 2 from the bottom. (DENR) [top]
