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Not only fish kill...
they’re killing the fishing village
I was lucky enough to be with three representatives of GREENPEACE
during their visit to Rapu-Rapu December 6, 2005 GREENPEACE, an
International Environmental Activist has long been known to me as
an active advocate against toxics and other forms of
environmentally vicious activities.
During our tete-a-tete, I have learned that GREENPEACE, at least
for the moment, was not involved in campaigns against mining per
se. However I was also assured that their having no campaign
against mining did not necessarily mean that they were not
interested on the issue. I was appraised they were involved more
on campaigns against toxins and were very interested in knowing
the effects of the mining operation on the oceans especially in
Rapu-Rapu and its neighboring areas.
When we set foot at the pier of Rapu-Rapu, my companions from
GREENPEACE were amazed as they were greyed by numerous signboards
that lined the streets denouncing Lafayette. This made our
partners more engrossed in having an in depth investigation of the
issue.
We were supposed to visit Barangay Binosawan…the latest victim of
the fish kill compliments of the state of the art mining
operation. However, strong winds prevented us from pushing
through. Haunted by the possibility of going home empty-handed, we
consult Fr. Ino whether there could be any way where we could talk
to the fishersfolk in the area. Luckily, Tiyo Tony who happened to
be one of the PO leaders dropped by the parish. After a brief
chat, he gladly agreed to escort us to one of the sitios with a
number of fishermen.
Our visit to the fishing village turned out to be a very
enlightening one. We chanced upon a group of at least 10 to 12
fishermen as they were in their usual past time...”tagayan”. After
a brief introduction, the group gladly accommodated us.
One of the most vocal guys in the group told us about the
depressing effects brought by Lafayette. “I usually spend 2
gallons of gasoline for my fishing. By then my catch would be
sufficient enough and I had the luxury of taking my day-off at sea
for two days. Now it’s different Since the sea have turned brown
because of the sludge from the mining site, the amount of gasoline
I need has doubled. I have to go as far as 7 kilometers from the
shoreline where the waters are clearer. Going further meant bigger
waves and greater danger for a small boat as mine. What is more
disgusting is the fact that going further does not guarantee a
better catch. I think fish catch has dwindled as a result of the
silted corals. I no longer have my day offs.” He lamented.
Another fisherman came carrying his homemade fishing gadgets. We
were amazed by the ingenuity they showed. First he showed us
something, which looked like an octopus. The “octopus look-alike”
was used as bait. Another gadget looked like a crab made of wood.
We were told that since the waters turned brown because of the
sediment, their gadgets became useless.
What was most striking was the fact that they felt helpless. For
most of them, nothing could be done since Lafayette was a big
company backed-up by the government. I was not so sure whether the
audacity of some was a result of the amount of alcohol they have
drunk but it was clear that they were ready to fight. “Lafayette
ruined our means of livelihood. They are killing us. If only
someone would give us arms, we would not wait for the government
to stop Lafayette. We will do it ourselves”.
One of the older men in the group obliged us to look at the sea.
It was low tide that time and we saw several women picking up
shells. Someone told us that prior to the mining operation, women
and children usually stormed the area in search for seashells,
clams and even octopus. These gatherers have stopped after the
municipal doctor warned them about the possibility of eating
contaminated shells.
These statements are clear manifestations of the effect of mining
to the oceans. I think the representatives of GREENPEACE had
enough reason to be back. Saving the oceans would not only mean
protecting the environment. In fact, it meant saving the lives of
the people…the lowly fishermen of Rapu-Rapu.
I wonder if the public officials are aware of this. Haven’t they
promised to serve their constituents? Haven’t they bragged of
being the champion of the fisherman’s interest during the campaign
period? Are the active members of the monitoring team responsive
of this? Is gold worthy enough for putting the lives of the people
especially the fishermen as a sacrifice?
I dare the proponents of this project. I confront the officials
who endorsed the mining activity. I challenge the high officials
of the DENR. Can you leave your airconditioned offices and
mansions and spend at least a week staying with the fishermen of
Rapu-Rapu?
Roy Nelson G. Layosa
rlayosa@yahoo.com
Tanggol Kaliksan-Sikol
Bachiller Compound, Washington Drive, Legaspi City
