TO DOE AND NORASIAN: RESTORE PEACE TO OUR HOMES AND COMMUNITY BY LEAVING CEBU STRAIT FOREVER!

(Students from different universities under the environmental network Save Tañon Strait Citizens Movement staged a solidarity meal over dried fish, fish paste, and corn in front of the Department Of Energy to symbolize the effects of off-shore oil and gas operation in Central Philippines)

September 19, 2008
PRESS STATEMENT

TO DOE AND NORASIAN: RESTORE PEACE TO OUR HOMES AND COMMUNITY BY LEAVING CEBU STRAIT FOREVER!

We strongly condemn the illegal act of the DOE and NORASIA for pushing though with the site survey, despite the absence of consent from local authorities in Sibonga and Argao and affected local government units including the Province of Cebu, as required by the Local Government Code. Despite massive opposition from the community, DOE and NorAsian ruthlessly displaced fisherfolk, in gross violation of the social justice provision of the Constitution and the Fisheries Code.

DOE and NorAsian wantonly mocked the celebration of International Day of Peace by sowing discords, displacements and disharmony on previously peaceful communities, and destroyed the rights of the people to life, livelihood, healthy environment and food security policy of the State. Among the individuals, as well as among nations, respecting the other people's rights leads to the path of peace. As Cicero said “The name of peace is sweet, and the thing itself is beneficial, but there is a great difference between peace and servitude. Peace is freedom in tranquility, servitude is the worst of all evils, to be resisted not only by war, but even by death.”

How can we have peace, when the basic law of the land and the rights of the people are trampled upon by DOE. How can the people have peace when foreign corporations are lording over our resources and doing activities that threaten our very existence?
The scientists, fisherfolk, lawyers, teachers and students have spoken - there is no room for oil drilling anywhere else in the world for it causes global warming and is extremely hazardous to us humans and in the environment

We commend the brave acts of the fisherfolks in Sibonga and Argao for reclaiming their rights and making their voices heard, despite the sheer arrogance of DOE-NORAsia.

We reiterate our stand that there is no middle ground when it comes to environmental protection and protection of people’s right to live in this planet with other living things.

DOE should cease all development of fossil fuel and instead pursue aggressively clean sources of energy, as mandated by its charter. Double talk from DOE will not solve the problem.

STSCM YOUTH

Sibonga mayor says no to more oil exploration

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/news/view_article.php?article_id=161616

Sibonga mayor says no to more oil exploration

Cebu Daily News
First Posted 11:23am (Mla time) 09/19/2008
UNLESS he is shown proper documentation, Sibonga Mayor Lionel Bacaltos said he would no longer allow seismic survey to be conducted within their municipal waters.

Anyone, who violates this directive, will be arrested, the mayor said.
“I was insulted with what they did because they did not cooperate with us,” Bacaltos said of NorAsia Energy Ltd., an energy company that had been conducting studies of the waters of southeastern Cebu in hopes of finding commercially viable oil.

Bacaltos said the foreign firm had conducted seismic surveys in the town's waters, at least eight kilometers from the shore, since last year without coordinating with the town government.

While Bacaltos said he did not want to interfere in the project's implementation, he also wanted to make sure that the firm had the proper permits and certifications.

Unless those permits were shown to the town government, particularly those from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Energy (DOE), Bacaltos said he would not allow the seismic survey to continue.

Bacaltos issued the warning during a meeting he called yesterday with representative from the DOE who also represented NorAsia, the town police chief, and fishermen.

He said he wanted to be certain that the project would not affect the livelihood of the town's fishermen.

While the mayor said he was not a party to the survey's implementation, he had been receiving criticisms for it.

He said fishermen complained that they were driven away every time the vessel carrying the survey equipment would pass through the town's waters. Fishermen said a coastguard vessel would often lead the survey vessel.

Fishermen thought the survey was conducted with his approval, Bacaltos said.

“I already told the fisherfolk 'I'm on your side.' I will help them in seeking financial compensation for the inconvenience that they have suffered, but I would not also want to fight the national government over the project implementation,” he said.

Bacaltos said NorAsia first conducted seismic surveys along the coastal waters of barangays Simala, Bagakay, Bahay and Poblacion in 2007.

The company gave financial assistance of P1,500 each to at least 200 fishermen who were asked to temporary leave the survey area.

Owners of fish traps were paid P8,000 to P10,000 each.

Bacaltos said fishermen complained after the company refused to release compensation to those affected by this year's survey, which were conducted on Sept. 5 and 12. /REPORTER DORIS C. BONGCAC

Sibonga, Argao fishers oppose oil exploration

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Local%20News&p=52&type=2&sec=70&aid=20080912207

Local News

Sibonga, Argao fishers oppose oil exploration

Saturday, September 13, 2008
For the third time, fisherfolks of Sibonga and Argao towns staged a fluvial protest yesterday against the oil drilling and seismic surveys to be done by the NorAsian Energy Ltd. of Australia.

Carrying placards, about 500 fishermen including a number of children rode on more than 80 pump boats from Sibonga to the port of Argao.

The fishermen came from barangays Taloot, Langtad, Guianon and Bogo in Argao; and Simala, Bagacay, Bahay and Abugon in Sibonga.

Organizations that joined the protest included the Alyansa sa mga Mangingisda Batok sa Hulga sa NorAsian (AMBAHAN), Simala Bantay Dagat Association (SIMBADA), Panaghiusa sa mga Mangingisda sa Taloot (PAGMATA), Langtad Fisherfolks Association (LAFA), Bagacay Rural Workers Association (BARUWA) and Panaghiusa sa Gagmayang Mangingisda sa Sugbo (PAMANA Sugbo).

While the protest was ongoing, another group of fisherfolks staged a picket in front of the Argao Municipal Hall.

PAMANA Sugbo spokesman Wilbert Dimol said the protest aims to let the public and the officials see that the people, particularly the fisherfolks, are objecting to the NorAsian project.

Argao Mayor Edsel Galeos earlier said to “let the people decide” about the issue.

It was reported that the NorAsian Energy Ltd. started its site survey off Sibonga last Aug. 25 and just finished last Monday.

It is still not certain if oil drilling will be pursued since consultations between the company and barangay captains including some LGU officials are ongoing.

Dimol said the oil exploration will destroy their livelihood and claimed ships of NorAsian have taken away 10 artificial reefs that had been sunk for the fish.

AMBAHAN President Anselmo Simoran also said that they are having a hard time fishing because they are not allowed to fish in the area where the seismic surveys are being conducted.

The fisherfolks have also launched a signature campaign. As of yesterday, Dimol said they have already gathered more than 1,000 signatures.

The petition will be submitted to the Provincial Board after their next fluvial protest on September 16.

The next fluvial protest will be joined by Boholanos supporting the fisherfolks’ to call President Gloria Arroyo’s attention.

Arroyo is set to go to Argao on September 16 to inaugurate the coliseum of the town. — Cressida Paula G. Delmo/BRP

Congress asked to probe oil searches in Argao, Sibonga

Friday, September 12, 2008
Congress asked to probe oil searches in Argao, Sibonga


WORRIED about an ongoing oil and gas exploration in the towns of Argao and Sibonga, an organization that represents fishers is asking Congress to investigate NorAsian’s operations.

“We would like to request from our local congressmen to have an onsite congressional investigation,” said Vince Cinches, executive director of the Central Visayas Fisherfolk Development Center Inc. (Fidec).

Since this is a local problem, local legislators should also take a stand, he added. Argao belongs to the province’s second congressional district, represented by Rep. Pablo Garcia, while Sibonga belongs to the first district, represented by Rep. Eduardo Gullas.

Fidec and local fishers are inviting all the local lawmakers to hold their “onsite investigation” in Argao and Sibonga.

Rep. Pablo John Garcia (Cebu, 3rd district) said that the House committee on natural resources already met last Wednesday to address the issue.

“I think the committee decided to have the onsite inquiry, though no date has been set. The committee decided to have an inquiry, because the Bohol congressmen are also asking for it,” said Garcia in a phone interview.

But Garcia, for his part, said he saw nothing wrong with oil and gas exploration as long as it has a very limited impact on the environment.

“We would provide them also with documents. All we want is to compel them to aggressively conduct an investigation,” said Cinches.

Conducting the inquiry in Manila would be costly, he added.

“Should they come for the onsite investigation, they can see the socio-economic and cultural impact of oil and gas exploration. In addition, they will know who are responsible for this problem and they will identify ways of how to penalize them,” said Cinches.

Garcia, however, pointed out that the Constitution allows such explorations “if there are identified resources available to utilize.”

In Wednesday’s meeting, the House committee invited an international marine environmentalist, Barry Shepherd, to discuss offshore mining.

“I asked him if there are any adverse affects of oil and gas exploration to the environment and he said there are very little effects,” said Garcia. He added, though, that the committee will still hold its onsite inquiry on NorAsian’s operations, despite Shepherd’s reassurance. (EPB)

Fluvial protest greets Visayan oil exploration project

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view/20080908-159441/Fluvial-protest-greets-Visayan-oil-exploration-project

Fluvial protest greets Visayan oil exploration project
By Kit Bagaipo, Jhunnex Napallacan
Visayas Bureau
First Posted 20:56:00 09/08/2008

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines -- Some 300 fishermen from Sibonga and Argao held a fluvial parade Monday morning to protest the offshore oil exploration of NorAsian Energy Ltd. in the Cebu-Bohol Strait.

Wilbert Dimol of Pamana-Sugbo told the Philippine Daily Inquirer (parent company of INQUIRER.net) that although the actual oil drilling had yet to start, NorAsian has been conducting the second phase of its survey to erect its oil rig.

The fluvial protest, which started at 9 a.m. Monday, aimed to surround the site where seismic tests would be conducted by NorAsian oil and gas exploration ships, Dimol said in a telephone interview.

He also alleged that the NorAsian ordered the dismantling of the fishermen's payaos or fish traps.

But Department of Energy (DoE) Visayas director Antonio Labios clarified that NorAsian has been doing a location site survey, not a seismic survey, which was completed in 2007.

It would have to locate the drill site before the actual drilling could be done in the first quarter of 2009, Labios said.

"The seabed must be examined to find out if there are obstructions like shallow gas. Shallow gas is dangerous as it could explode if hit," Labios explained.

Labios said the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) cleared the location site survey.

He added that the ongoing survey would not damage the marine environment.

On the issue of dismantled fish pens, Labios said the fish pens were deliberately placed in the area to obstruct the ongoing location site survey.

Before the NorAsian vessel conducted the survey, he said, the company cleared the area and even paid P10,000 to each fish pen owner in the Sibonga area.

However, Labios said the NorAsian people were surprised when several fish pens went up on September 4.

NorAsian, a wholly owned subsidiary of Australian firm Otto Energy, won a service contract to explore parts of the Cebu-Bohol Straits in the Visayan Basin, which was considered to be highly prospective but under-explored.

In an advisory given to the DoE, Otto reported that it has been raising $11.02 million to fund the oil drilling off Argao, Cebu side and near Cabilao Island in Loon, Bohol side.

The DoE has likewise approved the exploration work programs of Otto giving the Australian firm until March 2009 to drill the first wells at the strait.

In an interview on September 1, 2008 that was posted on the company website, Otto Energy chief executive officer Alex Parks cited Argao as an attractive prospect with eight potential oil reservoirs.

In the same interview, Parks said its subsidiary NorAsian Energy would start drilling the area under its service contract in the first half of 2009.

He also disclosed that they have been targeting an area north of Argao called Bahay with similar characteristics to Argao.

Parks said that Argao and Bahay had a pre-drill estimate of over 100 million barrels of recoverable oil.

Fisherfolk block drilling operations

Saturday, September 06, 2008
Fisherfolk block drilling operations

FISHERFOLK reportedly blocked the survey boat of the Australia-based NorAsian Energy Limited yesterday at the Cebu-Bohol Strait.

This was in protest of the company’s operations off the shores of Sibonga and Argao towns in southern Cebu.

Vince Cinches, executive director of the Central Visayas Fisherfolk Development Center, Inc. (Fidec), said that because of the company’s operations in the waters where the fisherfolk normally fish, the community has been greatly affected.

“They can no longer fish and sell their catch. They can no longer make a living, people have gone hungry, and children have stopped going to school. The people are experiencing hard times,” said Cinches in Bisaya.

According to Cinches, the fisherfolk held a fluvial protest before the survey vessel and tried to stop it from continuing with its operations.

“What they (NorAsian) are doing right now is for the preparation for the drilling that will happen in a few months,” said Cinches.

Operations

However, despite current operations of Nor—Asian at the strait, their activities remain illegal, said Cinches.

Cinches earlier said that the company failed to comply with Republic Act 8550 (RA) or the Fisheries Code of 1998.

“Republic Act 8550 says that activities should happen 15 kilometers off the shore.

But NorAsian’s activities are operated seven kilometers off the shore,” he said.

Also, Cinches said that the company still has to get an environmental compliance certificate (ECC).

Because of these violations, Fidec along with the fisherfolk will be filling a citizen’s suit against NorAsian and the Department of Energy (DOE).

Assessment

“They have violated RA 8550, the National Integrated Protected Areas Act, and they have committed violations of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) system and the Clean Air Act of the Philippines because during operations they are also emitting pollution,” he said.

Cinches said that Fidec will bring the issue of NorAsian’s offshore mining to the international community with hopes of addressing this pressing problem.

“The World Forum on Fisher People is planning to issue a statement against NorAsia,” he said.

To continue with their protest against offshore mining, fisherfolk of Sibonga and Argao will be coming to Cebu City on Monday to bring their protest before the DOE 7. (EPB)

For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here.

Capitol to assist oil explorers that follow requirements

Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Capitol to assist oil explorers that follow requirements

CAPITOL will support proponents of exploratory oil and gas drillings in the Tañon and Cebu-Bohol Straits if they comply with requirements for such operations.

Australian-based NorAsian Energy Limited reportedly started conducting a seismic survey off the waters of Argao and Pinamungajan towns in Cebu last Aug.15.

NorAsian Energy pledged to address any “temporary disturbance” the project might bring to the livelihood of residents.

Fisher folk from the towns of Argao, Sibonga and Pinamungahan oppose the oil exploration for fear of losing their livelihood.

Cebu Provincial Board (PB) Member Victor Maambong, chairperson of environmental conservation and natural resources committee, said the Province welcomes any “sustainable and environment-friendly” development project.

Position paper

The PB approved last Monday a position paper containing the official stand of the environmental committee on the proposed oil and gas exploration.

Maambong said the Province is committed to “protect and conserve” the environment.

Maambong listed several requirements for the oil drilling to follow. One requirement is a public consultation where project proponents, residents and local officials can discuss the matter.

Another is that there should be resolutions from barangays, towns and cities endorsing the project.

Also, the project proponents must have an environmental impact assessment study and environmental compliance certificate from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Maambong advised the project proponents to give copies of their permit to concerned agencies and nongovernment organizations.

Meanwhile, the Department of Energy (DOE) may face another legal suit over the ongoing oil and gas exploration off the shores of Sibonga and Argao, Cebu.

Vince Cinches, executive director of the Central Visayas Fisherfolk Development Center Inc. (Fidec), said Fidec will assist fishermen of Sibonga and Argao in filing a case against DOE.

“Apparently the DOE has not yet learned its lesson. Oil and gas exploration is unconstitutional. We are going to remind them of the legal mandate,” said Cinches.

Opposition

Cinches said that their group, as well as the fisherfolk communities in Sibonga and Argao, hopes to avoid what happened during the oil and gas exploration in Tañon Strait.

“There is a massive opposition against NorAsia and the Department of Energy,” said Cinches.

After expressing interest in finding oil and gas deposits in the Cebu-Bohol Strait, NorAsia Limited of Australia already started their operations off the shores of Sibonga and Argao.

Cinches said the company is already at the site and is currently removing the fishpens of fisherfolk of the two towns.

But their operations are illegal because they do not have an environmental compliance certificate (ECC), he said.

The company, he said, also failed to get the endorsement of the local government units for their oil and gas exploration.

For this, the fishing community of the two towns and Fidec expressed dismay over DOE’s lack of action and failure to implement national laws.

“They keep on selling our resources and look what is happening to us now,” Cinches said. (GMD/EPB)

For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here.

Fisherfolk Sail Cebu-Bohol Strait to Oppose Aussie Offshore Mining Firm

Fisherfolk Sail Cebu-Bohol Strait to Oppose Aussie Offshore Mining Firm

The offshore mining in Cebu-Bohol Strait and other parts of the Visayan basin will affect the livelihood of more than 100,000 small fishermen and 500,000 dependents, and will further exacerbate the problem of food security of 87 million Filipinos.

BY GERRY ALBERT CORPUZ
Bulatlat
Volume VIII, Number 30, August 31 - September 6, 2008

ARGAO, CEBU- Cebu-based fisherfolk activists belonging to Pamana-Sugbo, an affiliate of the leftwing fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) staged a fluvial protest, Aug. 28, against offshore mining.

NorAsia Energy Limited, an Australian offshore mining company, plans to conduct oil and gas exploration at the Cebu-Bohol Strait.

Pamalakaya National Chair Fernando Hicap said that some 50 small fishing boats with 200 fishermen on board sailed from Sibonga town to Argao town in Cebu province to dramatize their opposition against what his group called the “Australian economic colonialization of Cebu-Bohol Strait.”

The Pamalakaya leader said that Bokkana-Bohol, its provincial chapter in Bohol province, is also planning to stage another fluvial protest in towns affected by the ambitious offshore mining project.

“This is just a dress rehearsal. The Australian mining firm should expect more daring sea-based protest actions in the near future against their anti-fisherfolk and anti-environment mining escapade in Cebu-Bohol Strait,” Hicap warned.

In Cebu City, Pamana-Sugbo spokesperson Wilbert Dimol confirmed Hicap’s statement that there would be more protests to pressure Malacañang, the Department of Energy (DoE) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to scrap the government contract with NorAsia and stop the Office of the President from selling the Cebu-Bohol Strait and other parts of the Visayan Sea to international oil and gas explorers.

“We hope to double the number of fishing boats and the number of small fishermen in the next fluvial protest. The fisherfolk and the coastal village people want NorAsia out of Cebu-Bohol Strait,” Dimol added.

Letter to Australian PM

Last month, Pamalakaya emailed a three-page open letter to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd of the Australian Labor Party urging the Australian premier to order NorAsia to leave Cebu-Bohol Strait.

The group, in their letter to Rudd, asserted that the offshore mining in Cebu-Bohol Strait and the entire East Visayan basin would pave way for the systematic and gross destruction of the marine environment.

Pamalakaya told the Australian PM that the ‘far-reaching effects of oil and gas exploration even during its exploratory or prospecting stage prior to production and extraction are very certain based on the country’s previous experience with other offshore mining activities staged by foreign oil and gas groups.’

The letter was sent to the House of Representatives of the Parliament House of Australia based in Canberra.

The letter was sent last July 10 after the group learned that NorAsia Energy Limited was able to secure Area 8 Service Contract 69 that would allow the Australian oil and gas group to explore 7,400 square kilometers of marine waters encompassing the Cebu-Bohol Strait, a narrow sea strait separating the island provinces of Cebu and Bohol, and parts of Leyte in the East Visayan basin.

“It is over a month now, still there’s no response from Rudd and his labor party in Australia. This is a matter of life and death to the struggling fisherfolk of Cebu, Bohol and across the Visayas. The silence of Australian Prime Minister is puzzling us. Is he, as well as his colleagues in their labor party, a stockholder of Otto Energy, the mother firm of NorAsia?” Pamalakaya asked.

The group said the entire offshore mining activity will cover 445,000 hectares of marine waters over a seven-year period based on the agreement signed by NorAsia and its Filipino partner-the TransAsia Oil and Energy Development Corporation. The agreement was sanctioned by the DoE.

In 2007, NorAsia acquired 146 square kilometers of 3D seismic data over two prospects in Service Contract 51. It said Area 8 of Service Contract 69 offers significant follow-up potential in additional structures if initial drilling in Service Contract 512 is successful.

NorAsia said Service Contract 69 has approximately 3,000 kilometers of existing 2D seismic and an active petroleum system as shown by the abundant onshore oil seeps and seismic supported direct hydrocarbon indicators on prospects in the area.

214,000 air pollutants

In their letter to Rudd, Pamalakaya asserted that many studies revealed that offshore mining causes a significant amount of air pollution. Each offshore oil platform generates approximately 214,000 pounds of air pollutants each year. An average exploration well for natural gas could generate 50 tons of nitrogen oxides, 13 tons of carbon monoxide, six tons of sulfur dioxide and five tons of volatile organic hydrocarbons.

“Recent findings also revealed that oil and gas exploration activities could lead to massive production of other toxic waste materials such as cadmium which causes lung cancer; lead which causes gastrointestinal diseases, blood and kidney disorders,
mental retardation and affects the nervous system; chromium which causes lung and liver cancers, kidney and other respiratory illness,” the militant group added.

Pamalakaya said if Nor Asia will push its offshore mining, a severe fish crisis will happen. It could lead to a dramatic decrease of 600,000 metric tons in the yearly production of fish in the country or approximately 20 percent annually.

The offshore mining in Cebu-Bohol Strait and other parts of the Visayan basin will affect the livelihood of more than 100,000 small fishermen and 500,000 dependents, and will further exacerbate the problem of food security of 87 million Filipinos.

The offshore mining all over the Visayan Sea will have a devastating impact on fish production in Region VI composed of provinces Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras,
Iloilo and Negros Occidental which account for an average for 350,000 metric tons of fish harvest per year, while Region VII composed of Negros Oriental, Bohol, Cebu and Siquijor account for 205,000 metric tons of fish produced.

Region VIII is made up of Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Western Samar and Southern Leyte yield and average of 100,000 metric tons of fish per year.

Moreover, oil and gas drilling operations produce huge amounts of water waste ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 metric tons of highly toxic water waste materials per drilling. The seismic tests, which are part of the exploration stage, damage the hearing organs of marine species, cause hemorrhage in body tissues, and damage their reproductive organs.

Pamalakaya said seismic blasting could cause behavioral modifications and reduce or eliminate available habitat for breeding, spawning, foraging and migration. Seismic noises can alter fish distribution by tens of kilometers and can elicit physiological
stress on neural-immune responses in marine organisms.

The group also said seismic tests damage plankton eggs and larvae found in the immediate vicinity of airgun, and reduce catches in commercial fishers. It also
damages swim bladders of fishes and lungs of marine mammals.

“We believe stopping NorAsia from destroying our marine resources in the name of corporate super profits is a tough act, but this is the politically, morally and legally correct way to address the concern of our fisherfolk and the Filipino public in general,” Pamalakaya said. Bulatlat

* Printer friendly version
* send to friend

feedback
( categories:

* 2nd story

)
RELATED ARTICLES

* Fishers Group Spearheads Campaign Against Off-Shore Mining
* Gov’t Selling Protected Seas to TNCs – Environmental Groups
* Japanese Oil Exploration Firm’s Fish Ban in Tañon Strait, a Preview of JPEPA