Children of Rapu-Rapu join "Kampong Bayan"

Children of Rapu-Rapu join ‘Kampong Bayan’
By Rhaydz B. Barcia, Correspondent

LEGAZPI CITY: Will the government listen to the voice of the children who have joined their parents’ crusade to halt the Lafayette mining operation being blamed for toxic spillage and fish kill in Rapu-Rapu, Albay since 2005.

Reymark Balase, a 4-year-old boy of Carogcog village in Rapu-Rapu Albay joined his 44-year-old mother, Marlyn in a weeklong Kampong Bayan (People’s Camp) in front of the Albay Capitol organized by the civic organizations in Bicol.

When asked why he had joined the protest, Raymark told The Manila Times that his father could no longer catch fish after the fish kill, which practically left them to starve.

Raymark stayed inside a tent along with his mother, Marlyn who said she traded five native chickens at P60 per kilo to buy several kilos of rice and have some extra pocket money to spend.

The mother and son trekked the five-kilometer distance from Legazpi City pier on Wednesday on their way to Peñaranda Park after several hours of sea travel to camp-out.

Marlyn’s husband, Renato, opted to stay for awhile in Carogcog village to plant root crops as substitute for staple foods in the future while he could not catch fish for a living because of fear.

Marlyn recalled that after the fish kill they decided to transfer their two sons Angelo, 11, Grade 3, and John Paul, 7, Grade 1, to the Namanday Elementary School to save them from possible effects of chemical contamination.

“We’re living within the mining site and I’m quite afraid because anytime there might be a possible toxic spillage like in 2005. So with chemical contamination not being a remote possibility, we’re afraid for our children’s safety,” she said.

With the multisectoral groups camping out at the provincial capitol, a Dutch national, Pepe Vouz from The Netherlands, joined the protest action against the Australian-owned mining firm.

Pepe, who is married to an Albayana, condemned Lafayette for destroying the environment and marine life of Albay Gulf.

“I’m not an activist but I am sympathizing with the ordeal of the people of Rapu-Rapu. If the toxic spillage and fish kill occurred in Australia automatically Lafayette will be closed down because they’re criminal. Unfortunately, Lafayette is using and taking advantage of poverty situation in the Philippines for their interest and economic gains at the expense of fishermen, farmers and poor people,” Pepe explained.

Although Pepe is tending his own farm in Guinobatan, he promised to visit the Kampong Bayan to show his support to the people of Rapu-Rapu.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Albay was set to conduct a committee hearing on Friday morning as part of a thorough investigation to come up with appropriate action. The hearing was formed by Celso Aytona, committee on environment chairman, to tackle the pressing issues that affect and divided the Albayanos politically.

The Rapu-Rapu mining operation is a pilot project of the recently passed Mining Act of l995 and a pet project of President Gloria Arroyo.