Phivolcs lifts tsunami alert for RP; initial waves small
(Sophia M. Dedace and Norman P. Aquino, GMANews.TV, 02/28/2010 | 03:39 PM)
State volcanologists on Sunday afternoon lifted their tsunami warning for the Philippines in the absence of unusual, significant sea level changes near the country’s coasts in front of the Pacific Ocean in the wake of an 8.8-magnitude earthquake that hit south-central Chile on Saturday.
In its 3:15 p.m. advisory, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) also said initial waves had been small and most of the Pacific islands already in its path had been spared damage.
"As of 3 p.m. on February 28, the Phivolcs had not received any reports of unusual significant sea level changes within the projected arrival period of tsunami waves in Philippine coasts [between] 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.," it added.
Phivolcs issued tsunami alert level 1 on Saturday and elevated the warning to the second level on Sunday morning, advising the public to be on the lookout for "unusual waves" near the coast.
With an engrossed world watching the drama unfold on live TV, a tsunami raced across a quarter of the globe on Saturday and set off fears of a repeat of the carnage that caught the world off guard in Asia in 2004.
But as it crossed the Pacific, the tsunami originating from Chile dealt populated areas — including the US state of Hawaii and Japan — just a brief blow.
The tsunami initially raised fears that the Pacific could fall victim to killer waves similar to the ones that killed 230,000 people in the Indian Ocean in 2004 the morning after Christmas. During that disaster, there was little to no warning and much confusion about the impending waves.
The tsunami was set off by a fierce magnitude-8.8 earthquake in Chile that sent waves barreling north across the Pacific. But Pacific islands had ample time to prepare for the tsunami because the quake had struck several thousand miles away.
In its afternoon advisory the Phivolcs said observations of the passage of the tsunami in nearby countries showed that the waves were small and nondamaging.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Blood Is Thicker
(Cliff Paragua, 21 February 2010)
He surprised me with a text message and a short visit last Sunday.
Regie Tamayo, a cousin of mine, went to our place together with his young charming wife, Lalaine, who was in radiant Cory yellow.
Regie has served Aparri, our town in the northernmost tip of Luzon, as a two-term councilor. At the end of his second term, he intended to leave the political arena to spend more time with his family and continue his studies to become a lawyer.
But such was not his fate, at least for the moment.
He stumbled upon the Kapatiran Party, or the party stumbled upon him. Whichever it was, he ultimately found himself in the thick of preparations for the coming May elections, this time as one of the eight candidates for senator of the Kapatiran Party.
He told me that his friends, and even some of our relatives, took the news with raised eyebrows. Understandably, since launching a senatorial campaign is not a joke. It can’t be done with peanuts, either.
But he said that he believed in the party’s platform – an advocacy for change anchored on four fundamental individual decisions.
Regie mouthed his party’s formula for a way out of the country’s darkness: 1] acknowledge that the root cause of the country’s crisis is moral; 2] admit our share of blame for the sad state of affairs in our nation; 3] as a human activity, politics has moral dimensions; and 4] we have to make a personal decision to change for the better.
Well said, but Regie’s and his party’s formula will most likely not make them score any win in the forthcoming elections, knowing fully well that the game is still largely guns, goons and gold. Besides, I think Regie is no politician, in the sense that this word is commonly defined today. He comes from a different mould. He is an unbridled idealist, wanting nothing but the best for this country.
Only a miracle can get him to the winners’ circle of eight. While he agreed with me that miracles do happen, he is ready to accept his ultimate fate, focusing on the positive side of this exciting experience at this stage of his young life.
As he said, he will most likely be one of the “cellar dwellers” after the PCOS machines have done their job. But I told him that I will reserve one of the eight slots for him in my ballot. Iitiman ko ang hugis itlog niya sa balota ko. Sabi nga nila, blood is .....
He surprised me with a text message and a short visit last Sunday.
Regie Tamayo, a cousin of mine, went to our place together with his young charming wife, Lalaine, who was in radiant Cory yellow.
Regie has served Aparri, our town in the northernmost tip of Luzon, as a two-term councilor. At the end of his second term, he intended to leave the political arena to spend more time with his family and continue his studies to become a lawyer.
But such was not his fate, at least for the moment.
He stumbled upon the Kapatiran Party, or the party stumbled upon him. Whichever it was, he ultimately found himself in the thick of preparations for the coming May elections, this time as one of the eight candidates for senator of the Kapatiran Party.
He told me that his friends, and even some of our relatives, took the news with raised eyebrows. Understandably, since launching a senatorial campaign is not a joke. It can’t be done with peanuts, either.
But he said that he believed in the party’s platform – an advocacy for change anchored on four fundamental individual decisions.
Regie mouthed his party’s formula for a way out of the country’s darkness: 1] acknowledge that the root cause of the country’s crisis is moral; 2] admit our share of blame for the sad state of affairs in our nation; 3] as a human activity, politics has moral dimensions; and 4] we have to make a personal decision to change for the better.
Well said, but Regie’s and his party’s formula will most likely not make them score any win in the forthcoming elections, knowing fully well that the game is still largely guns, goons and gold. Besides, I think Regie is no politician, in the sense that this word is commonly defined today. He comes from a different mould. He is an unbridled idealist, wanting nothing but the best for this country.
Only a miracle can get him to the winners’ circle of eight. While he agreed with me that miracles do happen, he is ready to accept his ultimate fate, focusing on the positive side of this exciting experience at this stage of his young life.
As he said, he will most likely be one of the “cellar dwellers” after the PCOS machines have done their job. But I told him that I will reserve one of the eight slots for him in my ballot. Iitiman ko ang hugis itlog niya sa balota ko. Sabi nga nila, blood is .....
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Saint Peter Thelmo Parish Church
Gustong maipa-abot ni St Peter Gonzalez sa mga aparrianos...
Ang mensahe ay nasa FB page ni St Peter Gonzalez. Please visit the FB page.
Ang mensahe ay nasa FB page ni St Peter Gonzalez. Please visit the FB page.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Only in Aparri
Only in Aparri will you be able to experience having these (some at a certain point in time)...
- miki niladdit
- pandesal diay Sanitary's
- pandesal diay Carry's
- gakka
- ipun
- ludung
- aramang
- karabuyo
- dirty ice cream carts Darling and Pag-asa
- binnek
- bugi
- tarukoys
- miki and arroz caldo at Macatiag's
- unnuk with bagoong and kalamansi
- your "met" is meh, "ket" is keh, "pinakbet" is pinakbeh
- Ybanag, Ilocano
- CVI, ASAT, CSU, Keti, St. Paul or Lyceum
- parke
- sotanghon from Criselda's
- pancit from NewTown's
- pancit con caldo from Marlyn's
- "Plaza" is actually the "palengke"
- green mangoes w/ Monla Mart's bagoong nga aramang
- kadis
- igat
- bunug
- sine at mirienda sa Ryan mall
- unnuk with bagoong and kalamansi
- agkilaw ti lagdaw
- longanisa sa plaza
- pancit ni Bining's (PNB)
- sinanta ken puto
- cine Paz
- halo halo ni nana Luring
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Aparri Trivia
Some interesting trivia about Aparri...
Emiljun Rapada wrote on June 27, 2009, says:
The name Aparri was taken from words "apa" from chinese merchants selling edible cones (like ice cream cone) and the natives who are ybanags say "ari" meaning "no". Later it was coined Aparri. I read this in a fable book about aparri. I forgot the other story. Peace!
Cedrick T. Daluddung replied to Emiljun's post on June 28, 2009, says:
One version is that it came from the spanish word "aparte", a place of priests. It was said, Aparri was then a place of Spanish friars. Well well well...
Nel Mael replied to Emiljun's post on August 11, 2009, says:
ganon ba? naalala ko nung bata ako ang sabi dw ng mga ilokano e APA (away o gulo),, sabi naman ng mga ibanag eh ARI (hindi).. kaya nag halo ang ilokano at ibanag sa aparri.. hehe.. ewan ko lng.. un ang naalala ko eh..
From www.cagayannorth.com
It is believed that Aparri got its name when the civil and religious authorities in Nueva Segovia (now Lal-lo) decided in 1604, to erect a church there for the evangelization of the natives. The many priests who celebrated the first mass there remained to supervise the construction of the church and continue their evangelization work subsequently, the natives referred to their place as "Aparrian", an Ybanag word meaning "where priests resided".
Noting the fast growth of "Aparrian" in population and its strategic location for a sea port, the Spanish authorities in Nueva Segovia again decided on May 11, 1682 to separate the delta from Camalaniugan and Buguey and granted it ecclesiastical recognition and at the same time to elevate the community to the status of a "pueblo" or a township, hence, the word "aparte de Camalaniugan y Buguey". It was not long afterward, the word "aparte" was corrupted into "aparri" by the natives.
Leon Casauay wrote on July 30, 2009, says:
1) Before Aparri, our town's name was Faru (grab from http://litera1no4.tripod.com/gaddang_frame.html)
2) Cagayan river's ancient name was Bannag
3) Ybanag, "Y Bannag" means "of the river". Kaya pala mahilig ako lumangoy.
Taken from Aparri-Reunited Facebook on Aparri Trivia, click on the link for more trivia.
Emiljun Rapada wrote on June 27, 2009, says:
The name Aparri was taken from words "apa" from chinese merchants selling edible cones (like ice cream cone) and the natives who are ybanags say "ari" meaning "no". Later it was coined Aparri. I read this in a fable book about aparri. I forgot the other story. Peace!
Cedrick T. Daluddung replied to Emiljun's post on June 28, 2009, says:
One version is that it came from the spanish word "aparte", a place of priests. It was said, Aparri was then a place of Spanish friars. Well well well...
Nel Mael replied to Emiljun's post on August 11, 2009, says:
ganon ba? naalala ko nung bata ako ang sabi dw ng mga ilokano e APA (away o gulo),, sabi naman ng mga ibanag eh ARI (hindi).. kaya nag halo ang ilokano at ibanag sa aparri.. hehe.. ewan ko lng.. un ang naalala ko eh..
From www.cagayannorth.com
It is believed that Aparri got its name when the civil and religious authorities in Nueva Segovia (now Lal-lo) decided in 1604, to erect a church there for the evangelization of the natives. The many priests who celebrated the first mass there remained to supervise the construction of the church and continue their evangelization work subsequently, the natives referred to their place as "Aparrian", an Ybanag word meaning "where priests resided".
Noting the fast growth of "Aparrian" in population and its strategic location for a sea port, the Spanish authorities in Nueva Segovia again decided on May 11, 1682 to separate the delta from Camalaniugan and Buguey and granted it ecclesiastical recognition and at the same time to elevate the community to the status of a "pueblo" or a township, hence, the word "aparte de Camalaniugan y Buguey". It was not long afterward, the word "aparte" was corrupted into "aparri" by the natives.
Leon Casauay wrote on July 30, 2009, says:
1) Before Aparri, our town's name was Faru (grab from http://litera1no4.tripod.com/gaddang_frame.html)
2) Cagayan river's ancient name was Bannag
3) Ybanag, "Y Bannag" means "of the river". Kaya pala mahilig ako lumangoy.
Taken from Aparri-Reunited Facebook on Aparri Trivia, click on the link for more trivia.
BORN TO BE by Milagros Paredes Palattao
Milagros says to be true sons (and applies to daughters too) of Aparri...
BORN TO BE
From the fields of labor and sweat, he had been brought up
And molded within guidance, discipline, care and love
Raised at the valley of grain at the eastern coastal sea
Into a charming young lad and that - “He was born to be”.
Sibling of thy parents for joy and passion
Honored with a doctorate degree, the utmost of education
Livening the sick and curing ill people
Oh! Just how WONDERFUL is he and that - “He was born to be”.
Serving his life and time for the Aparrianos
For its forty-two barangays through distance and remote barrios
Dedicated within his duty for the poor and for the needy
Oh! Just how COURAGEOUS is he and that -”He was born to be”.
Through rain or shine, although calamity nor fine
His hands are always there to bind with his help for humankind
Listen and stand for goodness
And keeps his distance from wickedness
Oh! Just how HUMBLE and GENEROUS is he and that - “He was born to be”.
He risen Aparri from the rear of its resources
Schools and colleges just right at the door step
Its diversity promoted jobs, growth and progress
Oh! Just how RESPONSIBLE is he and that - “He was born to be”.
Hail the true son of Aparri
Truly DEVOTED within his oath of duty
No magic wand to cast for a perfect APARRI
Thus, he promote……
EDUCATION, JOBS, BUSINESS, STREET LIGHTS, SMOOTH STREETS AND MORE ROADS,
MORE SCHOOLS AND MOST….A MOVING ONWARD …APARRI.
Mabbalo
from sunny Queensland
BORN TO BE
From the fields of labor and sweat, he had been brought up
And molded within guidance, discipline, care and love
Raised at the valley of grain at the eastern coastal sea
Into a charming young lad and that - “He was born to be”.
Sibling of thy parents for joy and passion
Honored with a doctorate degree, the utmost of education
Livening the sick and curing ill people
Oh! Just how WONDERFUL is he and that - “He was born to be”.
Serving his life and time for the Aparrianos
For its forty-two barangays through distance and remote barrios
Dedicated within his duty for the poor and for the needy
Oh! Just how COURAGEOUS is he and that -”He was born to be”.
Through rain or shine, although calamity nor fine
His hands are always there to bind with his help for humankind
Listen and stand for goodness
And keeps his distance from wickedness
Oh! Just how HUMBLE and GENEROUS is he and that - “He was born to be”.
He risen Aparri from the rear of its resources
Schools and colleges just right at the door step
Its diversity promoted jobs, growth and progress
Oh! Just how RESPONSIBLE is he and that - “He was born to be”.
Hail the true son of Aparri
Truly DEVOTED within his oath of duty
No magic wand to cast for a perfect APARRI
Thus, he promote……
EDUCATION, JOBS, BUSINESS, STREET LIGHTS, SMOOTH STREETS AND MORE ROADS,
MORE SCHOOLS AND MOST….A MOVING ONWARD …APARRI.
Mabbalo
from sunny Queensland
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Cagayan A Possible Free Trade Zone With China-ASEAN Countries
Cagayan should take advantage of the zero-tariff trade that started with China this year, Jack Enrile who is running for congress in the Cagayan’s first district, said Monday.
“We are at the forefront of this window of opportunity with the full establishment of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) last January 1,” said Enrile, economic and developlment consultant to his father, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, and the province of Cagayan.
“We have the geographic edge, being in the northernmost point of the country, and thus the nearest to China,” said the young Enrile who is seeking a congressional seat in Cagayan’s 1st District.
“Once fully implemented, the CAFTA will see more than 7,000 zero-tariff commodities traded between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China,” he said. “While it may also flood our markets with Chinese goods, free trade also means the chance for us in Cagayan Valley to sell to the Chinese mainland.”
“Imagine, it’s one of the world’s largest free trade areas,” Enrile said, adding “we are well positioned, having the Cagayan Special Economic Zone, the country’s emerging power house.”
“We have fiber-optic, wireless global connections; cyber industrial parks and business process call centers multimillion-peso resorts and theme parks – all just a short hop from the world-class Port Irene international freight and shipping yard in Aparri and an international airport in Lallo town, with connections to China,” Enrile said.
“For these reasons alone, not to say of our agricultural produce, we can easily tap into the market for 3 billion Chinese consumers, and for that matter other ASEAN economies,” he said.
ASEAN groups the Philippines, Indonesian, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar.
“We are at the forefront of this window of opportunity with the full establishment of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) last January 1,” said Enrile, economic and developlment consultant to his father, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, and the province of Cagayan.
“We have the geographic edge, being in the northernmost point of the country, and thus the nearest to China,” said the young Enrile who is seeking a congressional seat in Cagayan’s 1st District.
“Once fully implemented, the CAFTA will see more than 7,000 zero-tariff commodities traded between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China,” he said. “While it may also flood our markets with Chinese goods, free trade also means the chance for us in Cagayan Valley to sell to the Chinese mainland.”
“Imagine, it’s one of the world’s largest free trade areas,” Enrile said, adding “we are well positioned, having the Cagayan Special Economic Zone, the country’s emerging power house.”
“We have fiber-optic, wireless global connections; cyber industrial parks and business process call centers multimillion-peso resorts and theme parks – all just a short hop from the world-class Port Irene international freight and shipping yard in Aparri and an international airport in Lallo town, with connections to China,” Enrile said.
“For these reasons alone, not to say of our agricultural produce, we can easily tap into the market for 3 billion Chinese consumers, and for that matter other ASEAN economies,” he said.
ASEAN groups the Philippines, Indonesian, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Black Sands (Magnetite) Processing Facility in Dodan, Aparri
(Bernardo Magara, Jr. (BMMJ), Says;)
My Fellow Aparrianos:
They (contractor, money maker, sakim, kapal muks and dirty mindedness politicians) have built a black sand extraction machinery (pro-mining equipment) located at Dodan, Aparri, Cagayan.
This facility is used to totally separate the pure particles known as black sands which is to be used as one of the component of raw materials in producing steel locally known as ”landuk” and further processed abroad (KOREA or any other country to whom they have contracted to process their product).
MABALIN YU APO A BISITAEN TI BARANGAY DODAN, APARRI NU ADDA MET LAENG INPATAKDER DA NGA SAND EXTRACTION EQUIPMENT/FACILITY…
THANK YOU KAKABSAT…
My Fellow Aparrianos:
They (contractor, money maker, sakim, kapal muks and dirty mindedness politicians) have built a black sand extraction machinery (pro-mining equipment) located at Dodan, Aparri, Cagayan.
This facility is used to totally separate the pure particles known as black sands which is to be used as one of the component of raw materials in producing steel locally known as ”landuk” and further processed abroad (KOREA or any other country to whom they have contracted to process their product).
MABALIN YU APO A BISITAEN TI BARANGAY DODAN, APARRI NU ADDA MET LAENG INPATAKDER DA NGA SAND EXTRACTION EQUIPMENT/FACILITY…
THANK YOU KAKABSAT…
TAMAYO para sa SENADO!
Mga mahal kong Kababayan:
Ako po si Reginald “Regie” Balisi TAMAYO ng Aparri, Cagayan tumatakbong SENADOR sa ilalim ng Ang Kapatiran Party.
Kagaya po ninyo ay pangarap ko ang mamuhay sa isang ligtas, makatarungan, at maunlad na bansa. Subalit hindi ito matatamo kung hindi tayo magkaisa at isulong ang nararapat na pagbabago. Simulan natin ito sa ating tamang pagpili sa mga kumakandidato sa ngayon. Iboto natin ang may plataporma, ang may malasakit sa bayan, ang makakalikasan, at ang may takot sa Diyos.
Ngayong halalan, manindigan tayo sa tama. Huwag nating balewalain ang ating prinsipyo. Ito ang paraan para maitama natin ang katiwalian sa bayan, ang pagsasamantala at pagmamalabis ng mga ilang namumuno sa atin. Gawin nating layunin ito sa buhay, tanda na mahal natin ang ating bayan.
Palaging sinasabi na ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan. Tayo rin ay pag-asa ng bayan dahil tayo ang naghahanda ng bayan na kanilang kinamumulatan. Bigyang pag-asa ang kabataan na mamuhay sa bayang ikakarangal nila.
Malawak ang karanasan ko sa lokal na pamahalaan at may sapat na edukasyon. Bitbit ko ang mga pangaral ng aking mga magulang, mga turo’t gabay ng aking simbahan, higit lalo ang mga pangarap ninyo para sa ating bayan. Ito ang magiging inspirasyon ko na malingkod sa inyo bilang Senador na walang bahid na pagsisinungaling at panloloko.
Tulungan po ninyo ako at hindi ko po kayo bibiguin. Tama na tayo ay mangarap! Tama na tayo ay mag-kaisa at magkabigkis-bigkis at isulong ang tama para sa bayan!
Salamat po at nawa’y pagpalain tayo ng Poong Maykapal.
Gumagalang,
Reginald “Regie” Balisi TAMAYO
Para SENADOR
Ang Kapatiran Party
0916-2513562/0928-2886878
http://reginaldtamayo.blogspot.com
reginaldtamayo@yahoo.com
- AB Philosophy, UP Diliman 1985
- MA Education, Lyceum of Aparri
- MBA, Lyceum of Aparri
- 6-term Municipal Councilor of Aparri, Cagayan
- Executive Assistant IV, Office of the Vice Governor
- Former Dean, Liberal Arts, Lyceum of Aparri
- Former Dean, Student Affairs, Lyceum of Aparri
- Special Assistant to the Executive Vice President, Lyceum of Aparri
- Lecturer, Graduate School, Cagayan State University
- Deputy Grand Knight, Knights of Columbus Aparri Council 4366
- Chancellor, Knights of Columbus Aparri Council 4366
- Prex Member
- Marriage Encounter Member
- President, Pugad Lawin Philippines, Seabreeze Base Call Sign “Java”
- Faculty President, Lyceum of Aparri
- Outstanding Councilor of Cagayan Awardee - given by Philippines Councilors League Cagayan Chapter
- Freelance Journalist
- Columnist, Northern Forum (Tuguegarao City), Guru Press (Tabuk City)
- Author, Barangay First, Empowering the Sangguniang Kabataan
- 45 years old, married to Lalaine Jarabe-Tamayo, with 4 children Regina, Reiner, Riazel, and Ricci
Saturday, February 6, 2010
A P A R R I - Poem by Milagros Palattao
(dedicated to the batch of 50's & 60's)
Where the memories of my childhood shall never fade-
Where my footprints shall stay where ever i may-
A portrait of golden ray from the eastern breeze-
Through the western sun down with divine picturesque.
Cast a line on thy crystal shore-
Shall bring a smile into the modest home-
Spirit of thy livelihood is alive and adorn-
With amazing vast blue waters- is a truly adore.
My vision from yester-years shall forever exist-
Elegant ladies and smart prominent varsities-
Graceful dancers in MAY festivities-
Where are they now…..just the good memories.
Best for the best throughout a final night-
COMPARZA costumes were fashionable and bright-
The SUMMER TIME dancers with their cling delights-
Against the MAY TIME dancers with their gorgeous alights.
Home of the known,the prominent, the beauty and the diligent-
Brought up within thy heart with love and patience
Although humble YOU may-YOU had brighten my way-
Into what and where am I know and thanks to YOU I may say.
Gone were those days of my youth-
Though afar-my heart remain for you as I should-
My footprints shall stay forever- I would-
In my beloved APARRI….THE LAND OF MY ROOTS.
written by:
milagros palattao-maura,aparri-Queensland Australia- Tottenham London, England- Feb.5,2010
Where the memories of my childhood shall never fade-
Where my footprints shall stay where ever i may-
A portrait of golden ray from the eastern breeze-
Through the western sun down with divine picturesque.
Cast a line on thy crystal shore-
Shall bring a smile into the modest home-
Spirit of thy livelihood is alive and adorn-
With amazing vast blue waters- is a truly adore.
My vision from yester-years shall forever exist-
Elegant ladies and smart prominent varsities-
Graceful dancers in MAY festivities-
Where are they now…..just the good memories.
Best for the best throughout a final night-
COMPARZA costumes were fashionable and bright-
The SUMMER TIME dancers with their cling delights-
Against the MAY TIME dancers with their gorgeous alights.
Home of the known,the prominent, the beauty and the diligent-
Brought up within thy heart with love and patience
Although humble YOU may-YOU had brighten my way-
Into what and where am I know and thanks to YOU I may say.
Gone were those days of my youth-
Though afar-my heart remain for you as I should-
My footprints shall stay forever- I would-
In my beloved APARRI….THE LAND OF MY ROOTS.
written by:
milagros palattao-maura,aparri-Queensland Australia- Tottenham London, England- Feb.5,2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Government Execs Hit For "Cover-Up" Of Mining In Cagayan
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya–Anti-mining groups in Cagayan scored officials of government for allegedly staging a cover-up of alleged illegal mining operations in the province, which, they said, was exposed by the recent grounding of a Korean ship as it was to ship a cargo of magnetite sand out of the country.
Gensun Agustin, convenor of the newly-formed federation of anti-mining movement in Cagayan, slammed the “protection” that government authorities there in order to conceal illegal mining and quarrying operations on the riverbed of the Cagayan River and the province’s northern coastline, allegedly by foreigners.
“The situation has become very clear: illegal mining has been going on in Cagayan but people in government, who are supposed to be the first to stop these operations are the ones scrambling to protect these aliens who are exploiting our natural resources,” he said.
Agustin assailed the alleged conspiracy among government agencies, which include the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau and the provincial environment office, in a “desperate” effort to cover up the ongoing illegal mining activities in Cagayan.
“They always tell us that we should provide proof that indeed there are mining operations. But when we present to them mounds of evidence, such as photos, video footages and witnesses’ testimonies, they are so quick to dismiss all these proofs,” he said.
But by divine intervention, Agustin said, government men’s claim that no mining is ongoing in Cagayan was belied when a North Korean ship, MV Nam Yang 8, reportedly loaded with about 2,816 tons of magnetite sand bound for China, malfunctioned off Claveria town in Cagayan.
It soon drifted westward and ran aground near the shore of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.
“After this (mishap) was exposed, people in government are now one in saying that everything–from the working papers of the Korean crew, to the load of magnetite sand–is in order, but they could not show proof,” he said.
These recent development, Agustin said, has emboldened groups to unify and form a multi-sectoral movement that will lead efforts to oppose any mining activity in the province.
The federation, which was organized Saturday, is composed of people’s organizations from Cagayan towns that said to have been affected by illegal mining and quarrying operations, namely: Santa Ana, Gonzaga, Santa Teresita, Buguey, Aparri, Camalaniugan, Lallo, and Baggao.
Sought for comment, Mario Ancheta, MGB Cagayan Valley director, however, denied the allegations.
“There is no cover up here. We are just making our findings based on what we see from our validation activities, and from what we saw, there are no ongoing mining operations anywhere in Cagayan,” he said.
He maintained that the magnetite cargo was allowed to be shipped out of the country and was covered by an export permit issued by Gov. Alvaro Antonio.
He said Nam Yang 8’s load of black sand was part of an “old stock” that was allowed to be shipped out, despite a cease-and-desist order earlier issued by former Environment Sec. Lito Atienza on all mining operations in the province.
However, Fr. Christopher Coballes, Aparri parish priest, disputed this claim.
“There is no such thing as ‘old stock’ in Lallo; we have looked everywhere and nowhere have we found mounds of black sand awaiting shipment. (Nam Yang 8’s) cargo is freshly extracted sand,” he said.
For his part, Roberto Adap, Cagayan’s environment officer, would neither confirm nor deny that the magnetite shipment was covered by a shipping permit.
“I would rather suggest that you visit my office and take a look at the documents, then you make your own judgment whether the papers are sufficient for the cargo to be considered legal,” he said in a phone interview.
Ancheta urged anti-mining groups to document all mining activities that they discover and file a formal complaint.
“We cannot simply act on the basis of verbal reports and text messages. Everything should be made official,” he said.
Gensun Agustin, convenor of the newly-formed federation of anti-mining movement in Cagayan, slammed the “protection” that government authorities there in order to conceal illegal mining and quarrying operations on the riverbed of the Cagayan River and the province’s northern coastline, allegedly by foreigners.
“The situation has become very clear: illegal mining has been going on in Cagayan but people in government, who are supposed to be the first to stop these operations are the ones scrambling to protect these aliens who are exploiting our natural resources,” he said.
Agustin assailed the alleged conspiracy among government agencies, which include the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau and the provincial environment office, in a “desperate” effort to cover up the ongoing illegal mining activities in Cagayan.
“They always tell us that we should provide proof that indeed there are mining operations. But when we present to them mounds of evidence, such as photos, video footages and witnesses’ testimonies, they are so quick to dismiss all these proofs,” he said.
But by divine intervention, Agustin said, government men’s claim that no mining is ongoing in Cagayan was belied when a North Korean ship, MV Nam Yang 8, reportedly loaded with about 2,816 tons of magnetite sand bound for China, malfunctioned off Claveria town in Cagayan.
It soon drifted westward and ran aground near the shore of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.
“After this (mishap) was exposed, people in government are now one in saying that everything–from the working papers of the Korean crew, to the load of magnetite sand–is in order, but they could not show proof,” he said.
These recent development, Agustin said, has emboldened groups to unify and form a multi-sectoral movement that will lead efforts to oppose any mining activity in the province.
The federation, which was organized Saturday, is composed of people’s organizations from Cagayan towns that said to have been affected by illegal mining and quarrying operations, namely: Santa Ana, Gonzaga, Santa Teresita, Buguey, Aparri, Camalaniugan, Lallo, and Baggao.
Sought for comment, Mario Ancheta, MGB Cagayan Valley director, however, denied the allegations.
“There is no cover up here. We are just making our findings based on what we see from our validation activities, and from what we saw, there are no ongoing mining operations anywhere in Cagayan,” he said.
He maintained that the magnetite cargo was allowed to be shipped out of the country and was covered by an export permit issued by Gov. Alvaro Antonio.
He said Nam Yang 8’s load of black sand was part of an “old stock” that was allowed to be shipped out, despite a cease-and-desist order earlier issued by former Environment Sec. Lito Atienza on all mining operations in the province.
However, Fr. Christopher Coballes, Aparri parish priest, disputed this claim.
“There is no such thing as ‘old stock’ in Lallo; we have looked everywhere and nowhere have we found mounds of black sand awaiting shipment. (Nam Yang 8’s) cargo is freshly extracted sand,” he said.
For his part, Roberto Adap, Cagayan’s environment officer, would neither confirm nor deny that the magnetite shipment was covered by a shipping permit.
“I would rather suggest that you visit my office and take a look at the documents, then you make your own judgment whether the papers are sufficient for the cargo to be considered legal,” he said in a phone interview.
Ancheta urged anti-mining groups to document all mining activities that they discover and file a formal complaint.
“We cannot simply act on the basis of verbal reports and text messages. Everything should be made official,” he said.
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