8 days of rain force 80,000 people out of homes in Bicol

Philippine Daily Inquirer

LEGAZPI CITY – At least 80,000 people were moved out of their homes in what officials said was preemptive evacuation to keep them out of harm’s way as rains continued to raise flood levels and the likelihood of landslides in Albay.

Rapu-Rapu folk, green groups ask provincial gov’t, Gov. Salceda

Bicol folk and green groups outraged over the recent fish kills near the Lafayette mine site in Rapu-Rapu island, Albay united to press the Albay provincial government for an urgent probe involving the communities affected by the open-pit mining project by the Australian-owned firm. 

Albay governor orders investigation of fish kill

Environmentalists, clergy continue to oppose Lafayette mines
By Manny T. Ugalde and Rhaydz B. Barcia, Correspondents-Manila Times

LEGAZPI CITY: Albay Governor Jose Sarte Salceda on Tuesday called for a thoroughinvestigation into the fishkill that hit five coastal villages of Rapu-rapu allegedly triggered by mine tailings that overflowed from a mining operation in the said island town.

Salceda said his office had asked the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to undertake a thorough investigation of the reported fish kill incidents that happened on Sunday.