The Island Newsweek V1 N20

IBALANGIBOG SA BILOG NA MUNDO, ORAGON AN BICOLANO!

THE VOL. 1 NO. 20

KAYA TA AN RESPONSABLENG PAGMIMINA SA RAPU-RAPU!

NEWSWEEK

AN INTRA-COMPANY OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE RAPU-RAPU POLYMETALLIC PROJECT

NOV. 20 - DEC. 31, 2006

Search and Rescue/Retrieval Operations S u p e r t y p h o o n R e m in g s t ru c k t h e P r o v in c e o f A l b a y e a r l y mo r n in g o f N o v e m b e r 3 0 , 2 0 0 6 . I t wh i p p e d w i t h c e n t e r w in d s o v e r 2 6 0 k p h w in d s w i t h a ra d i u s o f mo r e t h a n 2 5 0 k m . Th e ma s s i v e ra i n f a l l t h a t c a m e w i t h i t measured at 480 mm within 12 hours is an equivalent of 40 years of rainfall. It caused the lava collected a l o n g t h e s i d e s o f t h e Ma y o n d u r in g s e v e ra l m o n t h s o f v o l c a n i c e ru p t io n t o r u s h d o w n w i t h t h e f l o o d in t h e form of mud, sand, and boulders, burying scores of v i l l a g e s a n d t o w n s a n d t h e i r p e o p l e , h o u s e s , p ro p e r t y , a n d f ie l d s .

RRMI/RRPI spearheaded a seven-day search and rescue/retrieval operations in the towns of Daraga, Guinobatan, Legaspi and Sto. Domingo a day after typhoon Reming. It is a mission different from the miner’s usual activities but it will surely be engraved in the history of the company, its host province and in the minds of Albayanos. A day after the typhoon, RRMI/RRPI managers assembled a search and rescue team composed of 20 engineers, machine and equipment operators from the Mining and Processing Departments. They immediately left the camp site en route to the mainland seemingly oblivious to what they’re leaving behind – a small city they considered as second home now transformed into almost a debris by the typhoon. They were joined by 20-man team of Leighton Contractors Inc., an international contractor working with RRMI/RRPI. The combined teams camped on a rented space on the ground floor of MGB-V office in Bañag, Legaspi City. On Dec. 2, four military helicopters brought the team to Guinobatan where they recovered a total of 84 bodies in three days

The team then trained their efforts to Rawis, Legazpi City on Dec. 4, 2006 where a portion of village community was swallowed by the river. Missing students were believed to be buried under the sand and boulders. A reinforcement of 10 employees of RRMI/RRPI also arrived in Legaspi on that day. Meanwhile, member companies of Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA) from across the country including the contractors and service providers of RRMI/RRPI also responded to the disaster. Their aid and rescuers arrived at the base camp on the 4th of December. Holcim Cement sent a Medical/first aid team of 15 members, 13 miners from Atlas mining also arrived and 18 men from Benguet mining. Regoron, a service provider of RRMI/RRPI sent 12 rescuers, heavy equipments and service vehicles which eased the operation’s mobility. These teams have been trained and are experienced in search and rescue/retrieval operations. They have volunteered in similar post-disaster activities before. Miners...P2

Operation Libreng Tubig Unumon

In response to a looming health crisis, RRMI/RRPI led the PMSEA and Global Medic of Canada in deploying a Rapid Response Team (RRT) comprised of a medical unit and a water sanitation unit to the town of Daraga. Global Medic is a Toronto-based NGO. The team under the leadership of Rahul Singh arrived in Legaspi on Dec. 8. It was already a week after the onslaught of Reming and several towns in the province lost their water system and residents had no ready access to potable drinking water. Traumatized and with weakened immune systems as many of the refugees lost loved ones, almost all saw the destruction of their homes and properties, and, huddled in schools and makeshift centers which serve as evacuation centers. They become susceptible to trauma and diseases, especially water-borne illnesses. Even those who opted to return to their destroyed homes contend with the constant rain and lack of electric power and clean drinking water. On December 8, a week after the onslaught of the super typhoon, there were 32 reported diarrhea cases in the city of Legaspi alone.

Global Medic with the help of RRMI/RRPI personnel set up a central water purification system using a Noah Nomad Water Purification system in the covered basketball court of Daraga Park. The Nomad purifies water through using a sediment filter, followed by a carbon filter, and finally with an ultraviolet light. It can purify a total of 144,000 liters per day. Post chlorination techniques were used to ensure water quality. Global Medic and RRMI/RRPI also established 5 mobile water distribution units. Using the Noah Trekker, rescue units and bladders targeted hard to reach areas in order to ensure access to clean drinking water. Friends...P2

Vol. 1 No.20

THE

A local Rapid Response Team (RRT) composed of RRMI/RRPI and MGB-V personnel was formed and trained by Canadian Global Medic RRT on Dec. 9, 2006. The hands-on training was conducted along with the actual purification and distribution of water. The trainees quickly learned the techniques and procedures of deployment, use and maintenance of the Nomad Water Purification Unit. The local RRT working under the direction of the PMSEA, would, in the aftermath of any local, national, or Asian disaster, use Global Medic gear to respond quickly to disasters. Additional equipment The NoahTM Nomad Water Purification Unit and manpower would be deployed by Canadian Global Medic as needed. Thus, not only will the local RRT and equipment be used for the post-Reming and Seniang relief operations, it will also serve as a regional resource to be deployed to surrounding areas in the event of large scale catastrophe. In the meantime, the RRT led by RRMI/RRPI and MGB-V will be training LGU-appointed RRT members to enable the LGUs to set up their own Water Distribution units that will continue the operation until such need has disappeared. The turn-over from PMSEA RRT to LGU-RRT is expected to take place before the end of January 2007. Nevertheless, continuous monitoring and assistance from PMSEA RRT will be made.

RRMI/RRPI, being PMSEA’s lead agency in the region in partnership with MGB-V, was the host company providing food and accommodations to a total of 106 rescue personnel.

Only high tide can stop the digging

NEWSWEEK

Nov. 20 - Dec. 31, 2006

Global Medic also trained employees of RRMI/RRPI team in the deployment, use, and maintenance of the water facility. From the firetrucks, the water is pumped to the portable swimming pool. This is then pumped through a series of filters, ultraviolet light and finally dosed with aqua tabs. The purified water is delivered to the communities in collapsible drums which is loaded in jeeps and trucks. There were five collapsible drums, each has the capacity of 1,000 liters. Back and forth, making three to six trips a day, the teams were able to provide water to the 28 barangays of seven municipalities during the whole period of the operation. Two stationary water containers in Daraga park is filled with 7,000 liters everyday. Purification tablets Aquatabs, were also distributed to ensure access to emergency drinking water. The local government health unit conducted a test early on in the operation to determine the quality of purified water and found that the purification process eliminated all harmful water-borne elements. On the 15th of Dec., after accomplishing so much in a short period of time, the Global Medic Rapid Response Team left for Canada. RRMI/ RRPI team with the support of MGB-V took over the deployment of purified water. Everywhere, long lines tailed the vehicles carrying purified water. The people were so grateful for the Libreng Tubig Inumon. Some of them offered lunch and snacks to the team members. Somebody in Daraga also gives a pack biscuit to the team everyday as a sign of his gratitude. But for the team, a smile or ’salamat’ is enough to enliven their tired bodies. The people depended on the daily supply of water. When the team stopped the operation for their brief Christmas break the people went to the local health office where they affected a letter requesting the team to deliver water. Just after Christmas day, the team went back to action, providing water until the 29th of December.

They served in the areas of Guinobatan (Maipon, Inascan, San Francisco) Daraga (Culiat, Busay, Buyuan, Binitayan), Legaspi (Padang) and Sto. Domingo (Lidong). The operation went on until the 9th of December. A total of 97 bodies were recovered. 14 of which was claimed by relatives and 83 were buried in mass graves.

People can tell that the miners not only pulled the bodies of their loved ones from the mud. Some miners gave up their food and water rations for the people. And others went back to the base camp without their shovel, without their water containers, without their flashlights and others things that they gave to the victims. The miners will also long remember their experience, it will surely intensify their concern for the welfare of the people. Saving lives, reuniting families, restoring properties, giving hope those who needed it most was the main reason why these miners responded to the disaster. In unison they manifested a rare display of camaraderie. Behind the rescuer’s determination, stamina and courage is a sacrifice that only few would ever dare to bear. The rescuers of RRMI/RRPI also lost their homes, their properties, and they are also worried about the plight of their families but they put their personal concerns aside for the sake of others. Miners as ‘rescuers’ is definitely an understatement. They are heroes.

From Dec 9 to Dec 29, over 288,533 liters of purified drinking water and over 1.8 million Aquatabs were distributed to over 28 areas in the munici- palities of Daraga, Camalig, Oas, Sto. Domingo, Guinobatan, Jovellar and in the city of Legaspi. Medicines and vitamins were distributed in Daraga Park during the operation. ShelMed Inc. also gave milk to the children who came along with their parents to fetch water. RRMI/RRPI, a resident company of the province, has always been present to extend assistance to the people of Albay and its neighboring communities. With the facility of Global Medic, RRMI/RRPI was able to provide free purified drinking water to an average of 8,000 people everyday satisfying the daily requirement of 2 liters per person per day. This endeavor could have not been achieved without the partnership of RRMI/RRPI and Global Medic. It really pays to have friends abroad especially when there is trouble at home.

EDITORIAL BOARD Managing Editor: Cecille Calleja

Bicol Translation; Roy Cervantes, Nelson Buenafe Production: Kay Orlina, Mcken Belgica Circulation: Mcken Belgica, Nancy Alipar, CARE Dept.