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IBALANGIBOG SA BUONG MUNDO, ORAGON AN BICOLANO! KAYA TA AN RESPONSABLENG PAGMIMINA SA RAPU-RAPU!

THE  NEWSWEEKVolume 1 No. 3 June 1-7, 2006

First ISO 14001 Environmental Management System(EMS) Internal Audit Training

All employees of the Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Projectand stakeholders (communities of Rapu-Rapu, Sorsogon,

and Legaspi) are responsible for the environmental impacts

of the various operations of the project. In addition, an ISO14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) is also

one of the requirements set by the government for the

project to operate again. Thus both RRMI and RRPI have

begun the process of establishing an EMS and to create an

internal environmental audit group within the project to

monitor and ensure compliance.

The first internal environmental audit training was held at

the Bethlehem Center of the Diocese of Legazpi in Sogod,

Bacacay, Albay last June 1-2, 2006. The course was

facilitated by John Carlo Tria and Engr. Maria Rosa Diokno-

Tria of the Environmental Consultants, Inc. (ECI), theleading environmental consulting firm in the country.

The training aimed to determine audit skills of potential

candidates for the Internal Audit Team. Candidates selected

to be members of the team will undergo a series of intensive

training to build capability and competence required to be an

auditor.

Participants to the training were: Roy Cervantes (CARE),

Miguel Villamor (Engineering), Edgar Velarde

(Engineering), Michelle Oñate (HRAS), Jason Magdaong

(Environmental Management), Gilbert Llovit

(Environmental Management), Angel Cao (Environmental

Management), Fermin Nebres (Materials Management),

Bernard Salvo (Materials Management), Ronnie Falogme

(Geology), Carmela Marie Jabola (Technical Services),

Andrew Calma (Technical Services), Ma. Criselda Bolaños

(Safety), Pepito Navera (Safety), Rommel Ponayo

(Production), Ronald Verceles (Production), and Marco

Montes (Mining),

The 17 staff went through the rigors of environmental

auditing, capped off by a mock audit that enabled them to

practice what they learned. At the end of the course, the CFTmembers found a renewed drive to see through the

implementation of the system in their respective

departments.

According to Gilbert Llovit, Environment Management

Officer, “the training was very intensive and it enabled us to

learn not only the substance, but more importantly, the skills

that we need to develop in order to be an effective EMS

internal auditor.”

The Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project ISO 14001 EMSprimer

What is an Environmental Management System (EMS)?It is a framework that will be adopted by the company to

control its environmental impacts, ensure compliance with

environmental laws and regulations and continually improve

its business operations. It is a system to be sustained over

time requiring commitment from all employees,

stakeholders, and management.

What is ISO 14001?

This is an international standard that sets the properguidelines to be followed by the company in establishing

and sustaining its EMS.

Why do mining operations need to establish and maintain

 an ISO 14001 EMS?Mining and processing operations normally have a lot of 

impact on the environment and the surrounding

communities. Having a system that controls these impacts

and ensures the health and safety of workers and

stakeholders is important. Certification of our EMS to

international standards like ISO 14001 makes it world class

as it promotes continual improvement and compliance withregulations and changing situations. The capability to

improve continually is the hallmark of a globally

competitive company.

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June 1-7, 2006 THE ISLAND NEWSWEEK Volume 1 No. 3 P.2

Security Department Kicks Off with

its Security Awareness Program

The 65th Infantry Battalion – Task Force Tiwasay of the

Armed Forces of the Philippines, in line with its Information

Drive, participated in the Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project’s

Security Awareness Program with a series of sessions andlectures conducted at the camp site and direct impact

communities from June 3 to 6, 2006. Participants in the

program were RRPI and RRMI employees and

subcontractors and residents from Binosawan, Malobago,

and Pagcolbon.

The program with its slogan: “Onward to Peace, Unity and

Development” aims to educate Rapu-Rapu residents and

employees on the activities of the “Leftist” groups to be ableto arm themselves against possible infiltration and threat.

Ka Edwin Vidal relating his experiences as a member of the

“leftist” group

The program started with welcoming remarks from Lt Col.

Florante Isles, Deputy Commander of 65th Infantry Battalion

after which video clips of the AFP’s operations, missions

and commitment and the “Leftist” group documentary onoperations, objectives and how they target recruits were

shown.

The documentary featured how the “Leftist” group targets

workers for its members, provoking workers’ dissatisfaction

by raising labor issues, urging them to organize unions and

strikes and as a result, shut down the companies that they

work for.

Testimonies from former members of the Leftist group were

delivered. “Ka Edwin” Vidal related his 17-year experience

as a member of the New People’s Army (NPA). He cited

the many horrifying disadvantages of being a member andhow relieved he was at the end when he surrendered to the

Philippine government and started a new life. He became an

advocate for peace by relating his experiences and testifying

as part of the AFP’s Information Program.

Ka Edwin urged the employees and residents not to make

the same mistake that he did and to protect themselves from

the deceiving ways of the group. “Pasalamat tayo na tayo ay

may mga trabaho na nakakatulong sa atin para buhayin ang

ating pamilya. Huwag natin ‘tong sirain.”

He further related how lonely and terrible it was to beseparated from his loved ones as he had to hide in the

mountains with the rest of the members of the party. He

said, “Hindi tayo bakal o bato. Tao tayo na may puso at

damdamin.”

Roger Pesino a.k.a. “Ka Bunso”, 21 years old from Tabaco,

Albay, also related his 2-year jaunt as a “Leftist” member

and how his fellow members betrayed him in the end when

they left him injured during an encounter with the Philippine

Army at Brgy. Comon, Malinao, Albay. He was captured by

the Philippine Army and his injuries treated. He surrendered

on January 2006 and since then had been assisting the AFP.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the

  oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on

  the tail of a mouse and you say that you

 are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate

 your neutrality.” Desmond Tutu

“Hindi tayo bakal o bato. Tao tayo na may puso

at damdamin.” – Ka Edwin

What’s Up this month?

  June - Volleyball Tournament Preparation  June 12 - Philippine Independence Day Celebration

  June 30 - 2nd 

Quarterly Birthday Celebration