The social effects of the Lafayette Polymettalic mining project on the residents of Rapu-Rapu: An investigative report on the community of Rapu-Rapu, Albay

• Main Author: Ignacio, Denise
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2008
• Subjects: Mineral industries > Environmental aspects > Philippines > Albay; Mineral industries > Social aspects > Philippines > Albays; Communication
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/2366
• Institution: De La Salle University

In February 2007, the mining operations of the Lafayette Company in Rapu-Rapu, Albay, resumed operations after the go-signal from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. This triggered various responses from the residents of the island, the NGO who is spreading anti-mining messages, and the mining company itself. While most media outlets cover the issue from the perspectives of the mining company and the NGOs, the voice of the residents themselves are rarely heard. This study explored the different perspectives of the three main players in the island Rapu-Rapu, namely: the NGO, the mining company, and the residents. Additional focus is put on how the residents perceive the mining operations and how it changed their lives. People who have directly benefited from mining by being hired by the company are generally happy with the situation however people outside the mine site are generally against the company. Further analysis revealed that the problem of unrest regarding this issue is not because of the mining operations itself, but because of the distrust of the residents towards the Lafayette Company. Ultimately, in this clash of ideas and perspectives, it is the residents of Rapu-Rapu who will be the most affected because their community becomes the battleground.