Lafayette Philippines’ new head met with the company’s supporters and critics in Albay and Sorsogon early this week to find out first-hand the concerns of the communities hosting its Rapu Rapu project and how to address them properly.
Last Tuesday, the very day it was announced in Australia and the Philippines that his group was taking over the management of Lafayette’s Philippine operations and he would be chairman and president, Carlos G. Dominguez sought out the leaders in government, the private sector, and the Church in the two provinces for a series of meetings.
He told them he was there "to listen, not to argue; to find out what really happened regarding the two mine spills last year and what needs to be done; and how Lafayette, under his management, can be an even more vigorous partner in the communities’ progress and growth."
He also asked those who seek to stop Lafayette’s operations, especially some ranking members of the Church, to wait for the final results of a chemical analysis that would identify what really caused the fishkills in Sorsogon.
One BFAR report dated November 11, 2005, had shown that the waters from Bacon shore & Malubago, Sorsogon are "within the standard limits for mercury. Samples of seawater from Lupi, Priwto Diaz & San Ramon were "above the standard limit." Lafayette had been saying it does not use mercury in its operations.
He asked the critics to hold their judgment and keep an open mind because it is quite possible that something else caused the fishkills.
"Stopping the operations of the Rapu-rapu project simply because of still unfounded allegations regarding the fishkills would not solve other more equally pressing problems of the community like poverty and joblessness," he said.
It would also not help the affected fishermen, especially if it turns out that the mercury is traced somewhere else, he said, adding: "We will help, whatever the findings are."
Mining, like many other businesses such as the clearing of land for farming or housing, change the landscape but there are enough safeguard in the law to ensure that these activities are undertaken in a socially beneficial and environmentally sustainable manner. We shall fully comply with all our obligations," he said.
"In the same way, if it is pursued in a responsible manner, the Rapu-Rapu project can make a difference in the life of the communities and in shaping the future of the youth because we are all partners here. One’s success is everybody’s success. Inversely, stopping the operations of the project will be everybody’s loss," he said.
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