Gov wants revocation of mining claims in Bulacan

by Ramon Efren R. Lazaro

CITY OF MALOLOS —Bulacan Gov. Wilhelmino Sy Alvarado has made an urgent request to Environment Sec. Ramon Paje for the immediate revocation/denial of all mining claims/applications of Neutron Construction and Marketing Corp. (NCMC) and Atlantic Mines and Trading Corp. (AMTC) in the province.

Alvarado’s letter, dated May 31, 2012 to Paje and copy furnished to Leo Jasareno, director of the Mines and Geoscience Bureau and Danilo Uykieng, OIC-regional director MGB-DENR in Central Luzon, cites countless reports and complaints expressing strong opposition against the alleged unlawful and unfair mining claims/applications and operations of NCMC and AMTC covering an area of 14,000 hectares in the mountainous town of Dona Remedios Trinidad.

Alvarado also cited the murder of the company’s geodetic engineer, Arnel Iqual, on May 23 this year in the mining area that “shows the company’s inability to maintain peace and order in their atrocious mining claim.”

The governor added that the “brutal killing happened in the presence of seven other security personnel, who are allegedly armed and have been involved in various incidents of harassment  of residents-landowners within their mining claims, and worse of the indigenous peoples living therein.

The governor also noted that the municipal government of Dona Remedios Trinidad has long been opposing and complaining the appalling mining claims of NCMC and AMTC for it has been depriving landowners to enjoy their full rights over their properties and their failure to operate retards the progress of the town and its people.

With this, Alvarado  attached the municipality’s Kapasyahan Bilang 2006-065 entitled “Kapasiyahang Hinihiling sa Tanggapan ng Kagawaran ng Pagmimina at Likas na Yaman (Bureau of Mines) na Makansela ang Mining Rights ng Malawakang/Malakihang Pagmimina ng Neutron Construction and Marketing Corporation sa Bayan ng Dona Remedios Trinidad.”

Included was the letter of then-Mayor Evelyn Paulino that expressed her strong opposition and concerns as regards its adverse environmental impact, watershed destruction and existing stewardship contracts.

The governor also said that the present officials of Dona Remedios Trinidad are also strongly opposing the mining claims/applications and operations of NCMC and AMTC.

Alvarado cited a municipal resolution approving the request of NCMC and AMTC was passed but vetoed by Mayor Ronaldo Flores on the grounds of requirement for current barangay resolutions of newly elected barangay officials granting their request; certification given by NCIP is only for exploration and not mining operations; the actual determination that the area beingclaimed have tax declaration, title and other actual occupant; permission of the landowners; submission of all documents needed by the office of the mayor; and legal bases that it is within the ancestral domain.

The Sierra Madre Environmental Society Inc., Alvarado said also filed a letter-complaint to Secretary Paje on August 26, 2011 that NCMC and AMtC have failed “to comply with the mandatory requirements for the approval of their atrocious mining claims/applications such as public hearing, resolutions of all barangays and municipal government of Dona Remedios Trinidad, requirement under several DENR issuances, etc., and thus they have no right to demand royalty from landowners who want to benefit from their lands.

Alvarado said the provincial government of Bulacan adopts the said letter and joins the said NGO in its prayer to cancel/revoke all the mining claims/applications of NCMC and AMTC in Dona Remedios Trinidad.

DENR, Alvarado said must also consider the resolution passed by the Samahan ng mga Liga ng Barangay under Kapasiyahan Bilang 2011-004 “Kapasiyahang Hinihiling sa Butihing Tanggapan ng Mines and Geoscience Bureau Regional Office III, City of San Fernando, Pampanga, na Mapawalang Bisa ang Aplikasyon ng MPSA ng Neuton construction and Marketing Corporation at Atlantic Mines and Trading Corporation sa Nasasakupan ng Bayan ng Dona Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan.

Due to the numerous complaints against the said mining companies, the Bulacan Environment and Natural Resource Office (BENRO) headed by Rustico de Belen conducted investigations that reveal “several violations committed by NCMC and AMTC not only within their large-scal mining but also their small-scale mining operations.”

The governor said that based on their records, the said companies “have been operating outside of the permitted area and allowed illegal operations in their mining claims, thus tantamount to illegal extraction or illegal mining in violation of mining and other environmental laws.

Because of these violations, Alvarado said that they have requested for the immediate cancellation/revocation/denial of all mining claims/applications and related permits in the name of Neutron construction and Marketing Corp. and Atlantic Mines and Trading Corp. in the province of Bulacan and the declaration of the entire areas as Minahang Bayan  as a very vital livelihood program of the municipality of Dona Remedios Trinidad.

Bulacan set for Environment Month

CITY OF MALOLOS —In celebration of the Environment Month this June, the Provincial Government of Bulacan through the Bulacan Environment and Natural Resources Office will launch series of activities that will raise awareness and encourage participation among Bulakenyos in environment protection and conservation.

With this year’s theme: “Linangin ang Kakayahan, Kalingain ang Kalikasan para sa Kinabukasan”, Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado said the “Buwan ng Kapaligiran” will kick off on June 4, 2012   via a groundbreaking of Bulacan Ecology Center at the Bulacan Medical Center at 7:00 am and will be followed by a short program during the Monday Flag Raising Ceremony at the Bulacan Capitol Gym in this city.

Livelihood and solid waste management program such as BENRO’s Eco-Trike project will be launched too as well as the turn-over of classroom chairs out of recovered logs, he added.

On June 15, a groundbreaking of historical marker at the Real De Kakarong, Pandi will be held to promote and protect eco-tourism areas in the province, as well as KKK ( Kalikasan, Kasaysayan at Kasarinlan) painting contest and Tree-Planting.

BENRO also will hold an Environmental Summit on June 21 at the Bulacan Hiyas Pavilion which aims to involve each Bulakenyo in its fight against climate change that will be participated by groups of stakeholders, academe, big industries, local government units, House of Representatives and environment officials.

Moreover, a Basic Training on Environmental Law Enforcement is slated on June 26 to strengthen the capabilities of municipal and city ENROs and environmental law enforcers on basic law enforcement.

Lastly, on June 29, there will be a launching of Collaborative Governance of Urbanizing Watersheds, an integrated research, institution and capacity building for sustainability and climate risk adaptation in Angat River Basin.

Alvarado  and  BENRO Officer Atty. Rustico de Belen vow for a year-round effort  of imparting the importance of conserving, protecting and managing the environment to ensure it is maintained for present and future generations.

NIA WARN: No swimming at Bustos Dam

HAGONOY, Bulacan—No fishing, dipping and swimming is allowed at the apron of Bustos Dam.

This was the warning of a ranking official of the national Irrigation Administration (NIA) after disclosing that rubber gates of the dam located in between San Rafael and Bustos town is nearing the end of its lifespan.

Felix Robles, the officer in charge of NIA’s Water Control and Coordinating Unit (WCCU) said a similar rubber gate of a dam in Florida in the United States burst recently leading to rapid outflow of water from the reservoir.

Robles and other dam officials were in this town yesterday during the first leg of disaster preparedness information drive initiated by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the National Power Corporation (Napocor)

“The lifespan of a rubber gate is 14 to 15 years, and it could be shorter like the one in Florida defending on the weather condition,” he said noting that rubber gates installed at Bustos Dam is as old as the one that burst in Florida.

Since rubber gates of Bustos Dam are nearing the end of its lifespan, Robles said they cannot ascertain its safety, and must be replaced immediately.

He advised local residents to stop fishing on the dam’s apron, while warning local tourists from dipping and swimming at the downstream of the dam.

“Its can burst anytime, and when deflated, water will rush downstream to the apron,” he said and added that every year they conduct repair on the cracks on the rubber gate by vulcanizing it.

At present, NIA has installed steel-fence on the downstream of the dam, but people continue to flock there as the provincial tourism office promote the dam apron as a good place to dip in during summer.

Robles said the potential of danger is very clear and imminent, that’s why they asked even barangay officials to discourage residents from fishing and swimming on the dam apron.

He said that the rubber gates of Bustos Dam were installed in 1998 by Zenitaka Construction which was contracted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) which also spearheaded rehabilitation on the dam’s apron.

Built in the early 60s, Bustos town is operated by the NIA and serves as an after bay regulatory dam of the bigger Angat Dam in Norzagaray town.

It has six 80 meters long rubber gates which are 2.5 meters high.

Bustos Dam straddles the entire length of the Angat River in between Bustos and Rafael towns where water for irrigation were distributed through a network of irrgatin canals to as far west as Bocaue, Bulakan, and Hagonoy towns; and to as far east as San Miguel in Bulacan and Candaba in Pampanga. 

Holcim Philippines deploys employees for community work

Holcim COO Roland Wijnen

More companies have been encouraging employees to participate in volunteer programs during their off days, but last May 24, cement manufacturer Holcim Philippines’ almost 1,700 employees got to do this on company time.

To celebrate the Holcim Group’s 100^th birthday, Holcim Philippines deployed its workforce on a work day to go to its communities in La Union, Bulacan, Taguig, Misamis Oriental, and Davao to participate in various community service activities.

Holcim Philippines employees went to public schools near their facilities to clean and paint classrooms and tend gardens to help prepare these for opening of classes. Employees also held story telling sessions and road safety demonstrations for children there. The company also brought along dentists, doctors and barbers, who provided free service to the children

These form part of the Holcim Group’s Together for Communities initiative, which seeks to mobilize this year its 80,000 people in over 70 countries to render public service in various communities.

“These activities are Holcim’s way to give back to its communities which give our company the license to operate,” said Holcim Philippines COO Roland van Wijnen. “Moreover, activities as these deeply drive a sense of sharing among our employees.”

Van Wijnen said that aside from the Community Service Day, the company has lined up other activities throughout the year that would allow employees spend their time volunteering in communities instead of reporting for duty at the office.

The La Union Plant will lead a coastal clean-up, medical mission, and a book drive. Its Bulacan Plant had already deployed people to participate in the clean-up Bocaue River and the Pinagrealan Cave and has invited them to join a blood letting drive, visit a youth correctional and serve as teachers for a day. In Misamis Oriental, the plant will hold a highway clean-up and a beautification of a Gawad Kalinga village in the province. Davao employees, meanwhile, have a chance to join a tree and mangrove planting activity or spend time with the elderly.

Another Centennial celebration activity is the roll out of its Project Fostering a Child’s Education (FACE) in all its sites, a program wherein employees volunteer to shoulder some of the schooling expenses of underprivileged but deserving students and regularly interact with them to provide guidance. Holcim Philippines tested the program in its Bulacan Plant for 24 student beneficiaries. It was inspired by a similar initiative by its former COO Ian Thackwray who personally supports the education of 160 students until they finish high school.

All these activities are in line with Holcim Philippines’s Sagot Ko ang Bukas online campaign (http://sagotko.holcim.ph) which seeks to encourage its employees and partners to pledge on how they can contribute to a better future. The Sagot Ko ang Bukas campaign is Holcim Philippines’ effort to make people better understand the concept of sustainability and bring it down to a personal level.

Tornado hits Bulacan town

HAGONOY, Bulacan—Over 50 houses were partially damaged after a tornado hit two villages in San Miguel town the other day.

This developed, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) is looking into the string of tornadoes that hit the province since 2007.

Liz Mungcal, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) said that at least 90 families were affected by the tornado that hit Barangays Penambaran and King Kabayo in San Miguel town.

Packed with strong winds and gust of rainfall, the tornado ripped house roofing made of light materials.

Mungcal said no one was reported injured and the provincial government has sent relief goods and other assistance to victims.

This developed, the PDRRMO is also verifying reports of another tornado, locally known as “buhawi” in Hagonoy town, while Pagasa is studying series of incidents in the province.

Hilton Hernando, an officer of Pagasa’s Pampanga River Flood Forecasting and Warning Center (PRFFWC) told thre STAR that the agency is already looking into the incidents.

He said that while the study is inconclusive yet, they are considering it as an effect of climate change.

He added,” or it could be because we have better reporting system now due to advances of technology.”

Based on records, the frequency of tornado that hit Bulacan started to increase in 2007 when the towns of Bustos, Baliuag, San Rafael, and San Miguel were hit in different occasions.

It was followed by another sting in 2008 in Ballgatas and Bocaue towns.

Last year, Calumpit town was hit twice by two separate tornadoes, while another was reported in Hagonoy town

700 kneeling carabaos starred in Pulilan, Bulacan

CITY OF MALOLOS- Thousands of people from all walks of life celebrated the Carabao Festival to witness the parade of 700 kneeling carabaos and well decorated floats in the streets of Pulilan yesterday, May 14.

According to Mayor Vicente Esguerra Sr. of Pulilan, the Carabao Festival is celebrated to give honor to their patron saint, San Isidro Labrador, a farmer.

“Sa kasaysayan, itoy’ talagang bilang pasasalamat kay San Isidro para sa masaganang ani sa nagdaang taon, kaya makikita n’yo lumuluhod talaga ‘yung mga kalabaw sa tapat ng simbahan, at kaya naman mga kalabaw, dahil sila ‘yung talagang katuwang ng mga magsasaka sa paggawa sa bukid, hanggang sa naging tradisyon na, dinadayo na at naging tourist attraction kaya naman para ipagmalaki ang mayaman nating kasaysayan at kultura, pinaghahandaan natin ito taun-taon,” Esguerra explained.

Teresita Tetangco, Municipal Information Officer  of Pulilan said “marami talaga ang nakiisa sa pagdiriwang ngayon, mayroon tayong 700 na makukulay na kalabaw na may body paint, mahigit 40 na komersyal na karosa bukod pa sa 19 na karosang pinaghandaan ng 19 na barangay, at wala tayong motorized na karosa ha, lahat kalabaw ang bumida.”

The festival’s highlights include the kneeling of carabaos in front of the church and the parade of symbolic floats that featured Bulacan products like agriculture and aquaculture.

“Masaya, makulay at talaga namang kaabang-abang ito hindi lang para sa mga lokal na residente ng Bulacan, kundi maging sa mga turista, kaya naman pinagbubuti ng ating pamahalaan ang pag-promote ng ating turismo, dahil kung masigla ang turismo, magiging masigla din ang kabuhayan ng mga Bulakenyo,” said Gob. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado.

Paolo Ajose, one of the festival enthusiasts applauded the beauty and abundance of Carabao Festival this year.

“Inaabangan ko ‘to taun-taon at kakaiba yung nakita ko ngayon, ang daming kalabaw na lumuluhod, ang gaganda ng floats, it’s really worth the wait, kahit mainit, okay lang, ang ganda,” said Ajose.

The event was also made possible with the help of Central Luzon Designers Group and BSU Artist Students who designed and decorated the carabaos and floats in the festival.

“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa lahat ng tumulong at nakiisa para sa ikatatagumpay ng Carabao festival 2012, magkita-kita tayo ulet sa susunod na taon,” said Mayor Esguerra.(PPAO)

Explore Philippine Fiestas at SM City Baliwag

Mall goers will get a rare opportunity to experience the country’s colorful festivals as SM City Baliwag and Filipino Heritage Festival Inc. exhibits Philippine Fiestas which will run on May 21 to 27.

The display will showcase how the Philippines is known to be the “Land of Fiestas” with photos depicting the vivid culture of celebrating feasts across the country. It will also illustrate how the festive spirit of Filipinos strengthen the country’s rich history and tradition.

On display at SM City Baliwag’s Event Center are 32 vibrant images of festivals such as the Panagbenga in Baguio, Giant Lantern in Pampanga, Sinulog in Cebu, and Ati-Atihan in Aklan, among others.

Aimed to create consciousness, respect and pride for the legacies of Filipino cultural history, and love of country, the month of May was declared as National Heritage Month in accordance to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s Proclamation No. 439 on 11 August 2003.