The Integrated Farming for Upland Sustainable Agriculture (IFUSA) seminar and exposure trip.

The Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project (RRPP), through its Community Relations (ComRel) department, recently held a training seminar and an exposure trip (lakbay-aral) on Integrated Farming for Upland Sustainable Agriculture (IFUSA) for members of the General Parents Teachers Community Association (GPTCA) of Pagcolbon Elementary School, Brgy. Pagcolbon, Rapu-Rapu, Albay.

The seminar was held April 11-12, 2012 at the elementary school while the lakbay-aral followed right after on April 13-15 in selected model cooperative and farms in the provinces of Sorsogon, Camarines Sur and Albay.

The seminar on integrated upland farming taught and trained the seventeen participants, including school principal Josefina “Pining” Asuncion and GPTCA president Antonio Pulido, about the agricultural technology appropriate for the sloping and hilly terrain of Barangay Pagcolbon so that it can achieve higher and sustainable productivity.

During the two-day seminar, resource persons from the Albay Provincial Agricultural Services Office (APASO), namely senior provincial agriculturist Manolo Camu and senior horticulturist Myrna Agatona gave lectures, demos and hands-on training on the following topics: soil and water conservation techniques; management and cultural practices in vegetable production; nursery operation for vegetables, fruit-bearing and forest trees; composting, vermiculture and fertilizer application.

Greenhouse practitioner George Buenaagua shared his knowledge, demonstrated and gave hands-on training on the establishment of an orchard. More importantly, the trainors taught the participants what plants to farm in uplands and sloping terrain, and how to farm them.

The day after seminar, the participants immediately embarked on a boat trip to Bacon, Sorsogon to start their exposure tour. From there, the group boarded a comfortable air-conditioned bus, their service bus for the whole duration of the tour, enroute to their first destination, the Gubat Saint Anthony Cooperative (GSAC), a successful 48-year-old credit and savings cooperative with four existing branches, and a fifth one coming soon. The coop also has an agricultural center, a hostel and training facility, a diagnostic center, an ATM service facility, a service tie-up with Western Union, and a marketing arm.  GSAC officer Leony Ferera gave the participants an orientation on running and managing a coop, which they will need if they will seriously pursue a group project in agricultural production.

From Gubat, Sorsogon, the group shuttled to the High Value Commercial Crop (HVCC) Farm of the Department of Agriculture-Albay in Barangay Buang, Tabaco City where seminar trainor Manolo Camu toured them around the farm. Their eyes feasted on all sorts of crops—broccoli, lettuce, red and white cabbage, eggplants, string beans, tomatoes, big and small peppers, melons, madre agua, different varieties of sweet potatoes (camote), coconuts for tuba production, rice and others. Camu gave them insights on raising these crops. Most were food crops while others doubled as medicinal plants. Some participants were happy to take home with them the shoots of different varieties of camote and one medicinal plant that purportedly fights cancer.

From Buang, the group proceeded to the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA, former CSSAC or Camarines Sur State Agricultural College) Hostel in Pili, Camarines Sur where they sojourned for the night.

On day two of the tour, the group visited the Pilipinas Shell Training Farm in Magarao, Camarines Sur. With project officers James Broma and Roger Borromeo orienting them, the group viewed the farm’s research and development area, the vermicompost shed, and the community seedling bank. They ate some melons grown at the farm and some bought newly harvested eggplant and pipino. “Pining” even asked for some earthworms.

After the Shell farm, the group went back to CBSUA for their final activity—to visit the university’s organic goat-raising, piggery and poultry projects. The group was so lucky because CBSUA vice-president for agricultural research Joel Batañez himself entertained them with his lecture about organic farming before they toured the university’s organic farm.

At the end of the trip, most of the participants said they were inspired and challenged to apply their learnings. On April 22, they will meet again to plan their group project.

“The knowledge we gained from the seminar and trip will surely be a big help in planning our group agricultural project,” said Jenny Bolaños, 24, resident of Pagcolbon. “After completing the activity, my optimism for progress in our barangay, even after the mine leaves, has been renewed. I believe that Pagcolbon can really be productive if we apply the sloping and upland farm technology,” she added.
Abs Penilla

THE SEMINAR

With Albay Provincial Agricultural Services Office (APASO) horticulturist Myrna Agatona (in red shirt) and greenhouse practitioner George Buenaagua (in yellow shirt).

APASO senior provincial agriculturist Manolo Camu lectures and demos on marcotting, grafting, budding, inarching, cutting and layering.

Hands-on training on using the A-frame to find a level ground line (contour line) across the slope.

THE EXPOSURE TRIP

First destination: the Gubat St. Anthony Cooperative in Gubat, Sorsogon.

The High Value Commercial Crop (HVCC) Farm of the Dept. Of Agriculture in Buang, Tabaco City

The Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) Training Center and Hostel in San Jose, Pili, Camarines Sur

The Pilipinas Shell Training Farm in Magarao, Camarines Sur 

The organic farms of Central Bicol State University of Agriculture

Bonus trip: the Cam Sur Water Sports Complex (CWC).

MTGDP scholars from Bicol University viewing the open pit during a tour of the RRPP mining site last March 2012.

The mining technology and geosciences scholars of the Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project (RRPP) under the Mining Technology and Geosciences Development Program (MTGDP) are expected to be the future practitioners of responsible mining. They are the ones relied upon to continue the legacy of leading exponents of responsible mining in the country, such as RRPP.

Mining companies are mandated by the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 to develop mining technology and geosciences, among others. Creditable activities under this mandate, as enumerated by DENR Administrative Order (DAO) No. 2010-13, include expenditures for scholars on “mining technology, geosciences and related subjects such as, but not limited to, the socioeconomics related to mining operations, environmental protection, mineral economics, among others.”

The RRPP, through its Community Relations (ComRel) department, currently subsidizes forty MTGDP scholars—24 are enrolled at the Bicol University (BU) in Legazpi City, and 16 at the Partido State University (PSU) in Goa, Camarines Sur. This number is a big leap from the mere four scholars back in school year 2010-2011, just before the ComRel took over the management of the MTGDP and the IEC functions of the RRPP.

For the incoming school year 2012-2013, the ComRel department has increased further the number of MTGDP scholarship slots by fifty so that after the school opening in June, RRPP will have a total of ninety MTGDP scholars. By then, 44 scholars will be studying at BU and 46 at PSU.

MTGDP scholarship grantees are academic scholars. To be accepted, they must come from the top thirty percent of their senior high school class. To maintain their scholarship, they must achieve a cumulative general weighted average of 2.00 (85%) grade or greater for a minimum of 18 units load every semester.

The grantees are all Bicolanos. First priority is given to bona-fide residents of the Municipality of Rapu-Rapu, second priority to residents of the Province of Albay, and last priority to residents of the other provinces in Bicol.

Of the twenty-four scholars in BU, twenty-three are Mining Engineering students (BSEM) while one is into Chemical Engineering (BSCE).

At the PSU, where RRPP has sixteen grantees, eleven are geology students (BSG), three are Environmental Science (BSES) students, and three are Environmental and Sanitary Engineering (BSESE) students.

Under the scholarship program, each grantee is entitled to a P6,000 tuition fee allowance every semester. On top of that, each grantee is given a monthly living allowance of P4,000 for those at BU and P1,500 for those at PSU.

As future practitioners of responsible mining, the scholars at this early stage in their lives already have concrete and mature ideas of what responsible mining is all about, and the role that they will have to play in the industry someday.

Our scholars’ view of responsible mining

MTGDP scholar Samuel Dacpano, 20 years old, resident of Gubat, Sorsogon and incoming 5^th year BSEM at BU defines responsible mining as “giving back to the community, practising safe mining operation, and rehabilitation. It cares for the environment, the way the environment cares for us.”

The other scholars have a more or less similar concept. “Mining is responsible when the company cares for its stakeholders, the environment, the host and neighboring communities, and when it does not violate any law,” says Beann Natural, 20, of Monreal, Masbate and incoming 5^th year BSEM student at BU.

Ivan Macandog, 20, of Barangay 1 EM’s Barrio, Legazpi City and also incoming 5^th year BSEM student at BU believes that responsible mining “is operating a profitable mine without sacrificing the environment. It also promotes the growth of stakeholders especially the community where the mining company is.”

“Responsible mining is working for the sustainable development of the affected community, where the company constantly complies with rules and regulations, and even exceeds standards,” adds Sarah Mae Ajon, 20, of San Fernando, Sto. Domingo, Albay, another incoming graduating BSEM student at BU.

Asked about their happy and sad experiences as MTGDP scholars, the grantees reveal through their responses the significant impact that the program has made during the present crucial period in their lives.

To many of the scholars, the benefit of receiving a monthly living allowance has been a big support mechanism that pushes them to pursue their studies and aspirations. “My parents and I don’t have to worry so much of the expenses, that is why I am enjoying my study at BU,” explains Beann.

“I am able to concentrate on my study well because I have money to spend for my school needs,” says Ivan. Samuel is very happy that he is a recipient of the MTGDP scholarship. “The living allowance has helped me a lot in my studies since I am renting a room.”

Sarah Mae is happy “when sometimes I am able to help my mother by sharing with her my allowance, which she gives to my brother who is also a student.” She also reveals a scholar’s dedication–“I am happy when I am at school attending lessons and studying. I feel sad every time the professor is absent because it results to waste of fare money and effort.”

Jardones Gale Israel, 20 years old, of Barangay Burabod, Lagonoy, Camarines Sur and incoming 4^th year BS Geology student at PSU, says that aside from helping him a lot in his finances, he has “become more studious” from the time he became a scholar.”

Ryan Jay Mirana, 19, of Dolo, San Jose, Camarines Sur and Nelson Angelo Romero, 19, of La Purisima St., Goa, Camarines Sur, both incoming 4^th year BS Geology students at PSU, state that they were elated when their group toured the RRPP mine site last March. “It was my first time to see the actual operation inside a mining site,“ Ryan said. “I am also glad that I have gained self-confidence as a scholar and I am able to pursue my study in geology.” Nelson said he was awed when he saw the open pit for the first time. “When I saw the open pit, I had a feel of my future job as a geologist.”

Most of the scholars have no sad experiences associated with the MTGDP scholarship. A few of them feel sad every time they become aware of anti-mining campaigns and sentiments. Ryan says he is upset when he hears environmentalists say bad things about mining without them knowing the actual operation inside the mining site first.”

A few of the scholars said they are pressured by the high expectations placed on their shoulders as MTGDP scholars, but so far, none of them have dropped from the program due to failing marks. On the contrary, records show that they are actually performing very well. They are the future of responsible mining, and they are responsible and dedicated scholars, today.   ANP

RRMI president Rogelio Corpus and BU president Fay Lauraya seal the MTGDP Scholarship Memo of Understanding with a handshake after the MOU-signing last April 2011.

The twenty-four BU MTGDP scholars with RRPP ComRel manager Marilanie Lanuzo and staff and BUCENG faculty during awarding of grants and MOA-signing last June 2011.

The sixteen PSU MTGDP scholars with RRPP ComRel department manager Marilanie Lanuzo and PSU president Dr. Nita Moralla during the awarding of MTGDP scholarship grants last July 2011.

BU’s MTGDP scholars enjoy the breathtaking scene from the open pit’s view deck.

Seventeen 3rd and 4th year MTGDP scholars from BU and PSU opted to have their summer on-the-job training (OJT) at RRPP, together with other OJ trainees from UP and the Camarines Sur Polytechnic College-Naga Campus. They are shown here during the OJT orientation session.

BU and PSU MTGDP scholars-cum-OJTs together with lone OJT from Camarines Sur Polytechnic College-Naga campus (back left).

BU MTGDP OJT pop girls.

Dailyn Nivero

Dailyn Nivero, 20 years old, resident of Pagcolbon, Rapu-Rapu, Albay holds the distinction of being RRPP’s first MTGDP scholar—not only the first, but also the lone grantee when the program was launched in school year 2008-2009 at the Bicol University College of Engineering.

On top of this, she is also the first BS Mining Engineering (BSEM) student of BU. The course was launched by the state university through the urgings of RRPP. Presently, Dailyn has just finished her 4^th year in the BSEM course. She is now an incoming 5^th year, graduating student.

Dailyn is the daughter of Domingo Nivero, 56, crusher operator and pit checker at RRPP, and Elena Asuncion, 43, sewer. She is the second eldest of five siblings whose names all begin with the letter “D”. Her eldest sister Donalyn, 23, works at RRMI as data encoder. Her youngest sister Diane, 15, is an incoming 3^rd year student at Rapu-Rapu National High School and is an SDMP scholar of RRPP.

Dailyn recalls that in 2004, her family was moved by the company to the present housing area now known as the relocation site. The company built houses for them and other families affected by the initial mining operations. The families were given financial assistance.

Next school year 2012-2012, Dailyn will finally finish her course. Again, she will be the first—the first graduate of the MTGDP scholarship program.

Dailyn and her family practically “grew up” on mining. No wonder, “If the mine is still operating by the time I graduate, I certainly would like to work for RRPP.”   ANP
 

LIST OF MTGDP SCHOLARS
School Year 2011-2012
BICOL UNIVERSITY

1. Abo-abo, Julie Faith; 20
   BS Mining Engineering 4
   Del Carmen, Uson, Masbate

2. Ajon, Sarah Mae; 20
   BS Mining Engineering 4
   San Fernando, Sto. Domingo

3. Aligan, Amylene; 19
   BS Chemical Engineering 4
   EM’s Bo., Legazpi City

4. Araojo, Shiela May; 18
   BS Mining Engineering 2
   Pigcale, Legazpi City

5. Bonto, Ronnie; 19
   BS Mining Engineering 3
   Sta. Teresa, Malilipot, Albay

6. Boragay, Sheikha; 19
   BS Mining Engineering 3
   Fatima, Tabaco City

7. Casin, Tiana May; 19
   BS Mining Engineering 3
   Tuburan, Legazpi City

8. Dacpano, Samuel; 19
   BS Mining Engineering 4
   Manook St., Gubat, Sorsogon

9. Ecal, Rhea; 16
   BS Mining Engineering 1
   Pagcolbon, Rapu-Rapu, Albay

10. Hufana, Jeraldine; 20
    BS Mining Engineering 4
    Bangkilingan, Tabaco City

11. Latagan, Bryan; 17
    BS Mining Engineering 1
    San Juan Roro, Sorsogon City

12. Micaller, John Paul; 17
    BS Mining Engineering 2
    Pigcale, Legazpi City

13. Natural, Beann; 19
    BS Mining Engineering 4
    Monreal, Masbate

14. Navales, Vivian; 16
    BS Mining Engineering 1
    Pagcolbon, Rapu-Rapu, Albay

15. Nivero, Dailyn; 20
    BS Mining Engineering 4
    Pagcolbon, Rapu-Rapu, Albay

16. Obsequio, Andy; 17
    BS Mining Engineering 2
    San Francisco, Guinobatan Albay

17. Patanao, Albert; 19
    BS Mining Engineering 3
    Sta. Cruz, Ligao City

18. Racho, Ralph Christian; 17
    BS Mining Engineering 2
    Ranao-Ranao, Ligao City

19. Tecson, Jelyn; 16
    BS Mining Engineering 1
    Poblacion, Rapu-Rapu, Albay

20. Tecson, Reynold; 19
    BS Mining Engineering 3
    Poblacion, Rapu-Rapu, Albay

21. Tumamao, Jimmylyn; 18
    BS Mining Engineering 3
    Poblacion, Rapu-Rapu, Albay

22. Macandog, Ivan; 19
    BS Mining Engineering 4
    EM’s Bo., Legazpi City

23. Manrique, Jake; 19
    BS Mining Engineering 3
    Maroroy, Daraga, Albay

24. Sevillano, Arve; 19
    BS Mining Engineering 3
    Pigcale, Legazpi City

LIST OF MTGDP SCHOLARS
School Year 2011-2012
PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY

1. Arias, Annie Lyn; 16
   BS Geology 1
   Bagumbayan Pequeno, Goa Cam. Sur

2. Balverde, Grazell; 18
   BS Geology 2
   Cobangbang, Daet Cam. Norte

3. Federis, Regine; 18
   BS Environmental Science 3
   Bataan, Tinambac, Cam. Sur

4. Fibre, Charlene Mae; 17
   BS Geology 1
   San Rafael, Tigaon, Cam. Sur

5. Gonzales, John Luigi; 23
   BS Geology 2
   San Juan Bautista St., Goa Cam. Sur

6. Israel, Jardones Gale; 20
   BS Geology 3
   Burabod, Lagonoy, Cam. Sur

7. Marticio, Micheal Angelo; 19
   BS Environmental Science 3
   Pequeno, Tigaon, Cam. Sur

8. Milan, Amy; 19
   BS Environmental and Sanitary Engineering 4
   Sta. Cruz, San Jose, Cam. Sur

9. Mirabueno, Alfred; 17
   BS Environmental and Sanitary Engineering 1
   Polangui, Albay

10. Mirana, Ryan Jay; 19
    BS Geology 3
    Dolo, San Jose, Cam. Sur

11. Nacario, Jomellyn; 25
    BS Environmental Science 2
    Binalay, Tinambac, Cam. Sur

12. Orain, Angelica Marie; 18
    BS Geology 2
    Tambuco St., Goa, Cam. Sur

13. Resimo, Remylita; 17
    BS Geology 2
    San Benito St., Goa, Cam. Sur

14. Romero, Lea Angela; 20
    BS Environmental and Sanitary Engineering 4
    La Purisima St., Goa, Cam. Sur

15. Romero, Nelson Angelo; 19
    BS Geology 3
    La Purisima St., Goa, Cam. Sur

16. Tuprio, Hazel; 19
    BS Geology 3
    Belen St., Goa, Cam. Sur

The RRPP Rescue-and-Transfer team doing a pictorial enactment of the combined V-shape river crossing and fireman’s carry.

The Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project’s (RRPP) Rescue-and-Transfer (RAT) team is not just any RAT team. It is an award-winning team. The first time the group ever joined a competition—the First Aid Competition of the 58^th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC) on November 11, 2011 in Baguio City, it immediately caught the mining community’s attention by bagging the second runner-up trophy. This year 2012, the team is more ambitious—it is gunning for the top honour.

The nine-man RAT contingent that shined in Camp John Hay, Baguio City was composed of the following RRPP personnel:   Daryl Nolial, 25, of Safety Department; Raffy Vallespin, 32, of Engineering Dept.; Eric Beyer, 39, of Engineering Dept.; Mahver Ventures, 31, of Engineering Dept.; Melchor Asuncion Jr., 31, of Mining Dept.;   Christian Mark Bosito, 24, of Geology Dept.; Simon Echano, of Geology Dept.; Dale Montealto of Security Dept.; and Jefferson Batalla of Procurement Dept.

Daryl, the team coach, may have been born for this role. His credentials are perfect for rescue-and-transfer. A registered nurse, he has been a volunteer in ambulance operations at the Bicol Regional Teaching and Training Hospital (BRTTH) for a year, has undergone a four-month training course in Emergency Medical Technician Basic conducted by the Department of Health (DOH) and the Provincial Government of Albay (PGA), and a trainors’ training in Basic Life Support given by the Department of Health (DOH).

How will the team raise its chances of winning the ANMSEC First Aid Competitions this year? Daryl says that they will conduct in-house trainings. Then by July, they will bring in trainors from the Red Cross “to give us the standard procedures on first aid.” The Mines and Geo-sciences Bureau (MGB), which does the judging in the competitions, “bases its judging criteria on Red Cross standards,” he revealed. “Then we will increase the team’s active members up to sixteen.”

This year 2012 alone, six safety-related trainings have already been conducted at the mine site since January: Radiological Emergency Drill; Basic Occupational Health and Safety Training; Medical Management Emergency Drill; Basic Occupational Safety and Health; Defensive Driving Training; and Mass Casualty Incident Preparedness and Response. The skills of RAT members and first-aiders were put to the test and honed especially during the Medical Management Emergency Drill in January and the Mass Casualty Incident and Response in March.

With these training strategies, and more others to come, Daryl is optimistic that RRPP’s “RAT patrol” will be more than well-prepared to add another laurel to RRPP’s burgeoning collection of awards.   ANP

The RRPP “RAT Patrol” earned this second runner-up trophy the first time it joined a national mining industry-wide competition in First Aid.

The RRPP Rat Patrol in action during the First Aid Competition.

There are three RAT groups; one is assigned at the camp, another at mining (the open pit) and the third at the process plant.

The other five components of the E-RRPP are the Fire Brigade, the Typhoon Emergency Team, the Tails-Dam Watch Team, the Oil/Chemical Spill Watch Team, and the Radiological Health and Safety Team.

Responsible mining projects take emergency response seriously not only because it is mandated by the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, but also because it already forms part of industry best practices among responsible miners.   ANP

These two path walks in Brgy. Pagcolbon, Rapu-Rapu, Albay, both 55 meters in length, and completed on the second week of March 2012, are now ready for use by the barangay’s population of 417 residents, including students, for their daily treks on foot to the workplace, the school, and other destinations.

Two more similar path walks are soon to be built, also in Pagcolbon, to make hiking and transport of goods safer and more convenient, especially on rainy days when unpaved trails are muddy and slippery.

The first path walk (left photo), which includes stair steps, starts at the Pagcolbon seashore and ends up at sitio Mirikpitik where some 30 households are located.

The second path walk starts at the barangay road and traverses along eight households up to the Dineros lot and residence.

The construction of path walks in Pagcolbon, and also in Malobago, are just among the 24 infrastructure projects worth P16.63-million that are lined up for implementation this year 2012 in the six impact barangays of the Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project (RRPP), through the Social Development and Management Program (SDMP).

Some of the projects already completed are a school stage and perimeter fence in Pagcolbon.

Ongoing projects nearing completion are the P1.3-million noodles factory in Malobago and the 50-meter breakwater in Binosawan.            ANP

Photos:   JAO

RAPU-RAPU, Albay; March 13, 2012 — Construction  of the P1.3-million Malobago Noodles Factory in barangay Malobago, Rapu-Rapu, Albay is now in full blast, after groundbreaking ceremonies were held on February 28, 2012, led by Rapu-Rapu Minerals Inc. (RRMI) president Rogelio Corpus, Malobago barangay chairman Reynold Asuncion, and Malobago Seafood, Noodles, Bread Production Association (MSNBPA) president Belen Coper. The one-storey building is expected to be completed by April 3, 2012 and the target date for blessing and turn-over to beneficiary MSNBPA is April 8, 2012.

The noodles factory is a livelihood and infrastructure project proposed by the MSNBPA—the first all-women rural workers’ association in Rapu-Rapu organized and registered with the Department of Labor and Employment.

The building is among the 20 livelihood projects worth P6.3-million and 24 infra projects worth P16.63-million packaged for implementation this year 2012 under the Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) of the Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project (RRPP) for the benefit of its six impact barangays i.e. Malobago, Pagcolbon, Binosawan, Sta. Barbara, Linao and Tinopan.

Belen Coper, president of the MSNBPA, said that her members “eagerly await the completion of the noodles factory for the livelihood opportunities that it will bring them.”

The other ongoing livelihood projects under the SDMP of RRPP include garments-making, fishing, goat-raising and food processing in Binosawan; native chicken-raising, native pig-raising, and fishing in Sta. Barbara; and native pig-raising in Linao.

The other ongoing infra project is the 50-meter Binosawan breakwater. Recently completed infra projects as of this writing are the school stage, the school perimeter fence and two 55-meter path walks, all in barangay Pagcolbon.   ANP

RAPU-RAPU, Albay; March 14, 2012 – The Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project (RRPP), through the Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) has just completed the construction of a P500,000 school stage, perimeter fence and steel gate in Pagcolbon Elementary School. The next projects for the school are the construction of an entrance arc and paint job on the perimeter fence. Other completed projects are two 55-meter path walks, also in Pagcolbon. Ongoing projects include the construction of the P1.3-million noodles factory in Malobago and the breakwater in Binosawan. RRPP, through its Community Relations (ComRel) Department is implementing 24 infra projects worth P16.63-million this year 2012 in the mining project’s impact barangays of Malobago, Pagcolbon, Binosawan, Sta. Barbara, Linao and Tinopan.   ANP

RAPU-RAPU, Albay; March 14, 2012 — The construction of the 50-meter breakwater in Binosawan nears its completion. The almost half-million peso breakwater is expected to be finished by the last week of March.  

Binosawan residents are grateful with the fast-tracking of the project. Many are requesting for the extension of the breakwater by an additional 80 meters so that more homes would be protected against big waves.

“The breakwater will be very useful. The waves will not reach our homes anymore when the sea is rough,” Hortencia Bosito, 61, a native resident of Binosawan said. “I hope the breakwater would be extended. Before, we had to leave our homes every time the waves were big.”

Resident farmer Abelardo Layosa, 48, said “the houses here were washed away by waves during typhoon Sisang in 1987, so the breakwater is really needed.”

Obet Dematera, 31, recalls that during typhoon Reming in 2006, his house was flooded. “I’m glad that the new breakwater will protect my house.”

The Binosawan breakwater is among the 24 infrastructure projects worth P16.63-million lined-up for implementation this year 2012 in the six impact barangays of the Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project (RRPP) i.e. Malobago, Binosawan, Pagcolbon, Sta. Barbara, Linao, and Tinopan.

The other ongoing infra project is the P1.3-million Malobago Noodles Factory. Recently completed infra as of this writing are a school stage, a school perimeter fence and two 55-meter path walks, all in barangay Pagcolbon.

The projects are implemented through the Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) under the Community Relations (ComRel) department of RRPP.   ANP

The infra projects include the construction of a P2-million school building, a P1-million water system and a P1-million multi-purpose cum daycare center in the direct impact barangay of Pagcolbon; a P2-million two-classroom school building, a P1.7-million water system and a P1.5-million multi-purpose building in the direct impact barangay of Binosawan; and a P1.3-million noodles factory and a P1-million multi-purpose building in the direct impact barangay of Malobago.

The other infra projects are: in Binosawan—a chapel, a breakwater, and a school gate; in Malobago—a school stage, a chapel, a path walk, a bridge, and a water system; and in Pagcolbon—a mini-market and a school fence with a gate.

In the indirect impact barangays, the projects for implementation are: in Sta. Barbara—a multi-purpose building and a water system; in Linao—the extension of the breakwater, the repair of the school building and the repair of the chapel; and in Tinopan—the construction of a breakwater.

The projects were identified in consultation with the respective barangays. They are part of RRPP’s Social Development and Management Program (SDMP), and are implemented through the Community Relations (ComRel) Department.

Enida Bendal, barangay chairman of Binosawan, said “the construction of an additional 2-classroom building in the barangay elementary school is urgent because the five existing classrooms are already dilapidated, the roofs and windows are damaged, and they are leaking when it rains. “

Belen Coper, president of Malobago Seafoods Noodles Bread Production Association (MSNBPA), the first all-women rural workers’ association in Rapu-Rapu organized and registered with the Department of Labor and Employment, said that her members “eagerly await the completion of the noodles factory for the livelihood opportunity that it will bring them.”

In Linao, barangay chairman Randy Valenzuela, said that the proposed 33-meter extension of existing 68-meter breakwater “will protect the barangay hall and several houses from the surge of big waves during strong storms.” The existing breakwater completed last year protects the houses in the barangay plaza including the chapel. “The houses here were washed out by waves during typhoon Sisang in 1987,” Valenzuela recalled.

“We want to fast track the implementation of the projects so that the residents of beneficiary impact barangays can benefit from the infrastructures as soon as possible,” ComRel manager Marilanie Lanuzo said. “Implementation will start as early as the second week of March with the construction of the breakwater in Binosawan and the noodles factory in Malobago.”   ANP

Extension of this existing 68-meter breakwater by another 33 meters in Brgy Linao, Rapu-Rapu, Albay is just one among the 24 infra projects lined up by the Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) of the Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project (RRPP) for immediate implementation in the mining project’s six impact barangays this year 2012. The existing breakwater is also an RRPP-SDMP project implemented last year 2011. Photo: ANP