TAO-Pilipinas

We are sharing with you a press release circulated by Philippine Misereor Partnership Inc. This press statement was made by Clive Montgomery Wicks and Dr. Robert Goodland, international environmental conservation and development technical experts of the London Working Group on Mining in the Philippines and members of the Tampakan Forum.

Tampakan Forum is a technical working group on the Tampakan mining issue convened by the Philippine MisereorPartnership Anti-Mining Inc. (PMPI) in collaboration with Social Action Marbel, AlyansaTigil Mina (ATM), Philippine Association for Intercultural Development (PAFID), Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center-Friends of Earth Philippines (LRC-KSK), Philippine Indigenous Peoples Links ( PIPLINKS) and the International Working Group on Mining in the Philippines and IUCN CESP-SEAPRISE.

Here is the press statement:

Press Release 24th March 2012

“The Tampakan Mine has a High Potential for Loss of Life and

High Environmental Damage if the Facilities fail”

Our working group have repeatedly warned Xstrata about the dangers of the Tampakan SMI mining project [1] and commented on the inadequate environmental studies but they have failed to listen. We are told that they have not even consulted the current Secretary of the Department of Agriculture. The result is that the proposed Tampakan mine represents all that was wrong about mining under the previous Philippine administrations which made mining a priority program of the government, undermining the Department of Agriculture’s responsibilities for food production and causing rampant human rights and environmental violations and anxiety for affected communities.

In our view it is not ‘responsible’ to mine in vital water catchments in the mountains of Tampakan in South Cotabato which support agricultural production in the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and Davao del Sur. We believe the Tampakan copper-gold project will become one of the most dangerous mines in the world if it is approved. We totally agree with the SMI’s consultant engineers who determined that: “The Tampakan Mine has a high potential for loss of life and high environmental damage if the facilities fail” [page 42 Waste Management Report. Appendix A. SMI Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) 2011]. We totally disagree that Xstrata/Indophil/SMI can design the facilities to survive seismic activity and climate change including tropical cyclones forever.

The facilities include the mine itself which will leave an 800 meter deep pit (mine void) which we believe will leak acid mine drainage into the surrounding water tables and water courses and a 300 meter high pile of 1.35 billion tons of waste rock, high in arsenic and with a high potential for acid mine drainage. That area covers 500 hectares. The other mine facilities include two dams, one of which is 0.8 km long and 150 meters high; the other is 2.1 kms long and 280 meters high, covering over 1,000 hectares and situated just above the Mal River NIA irrigation dam. One dam will store fresh water while the tailings dam will store some 1.35 billion tons of toxic waste rock and tailings rich in arsenic and water with high potential for acid mine drainage. Any spill is likely to cause loss of life, damage to aquifers, to other water resources and to agriculture. The Tampakan mine is envisaged in an area of high seismic activity and the concession area itself is situated over geological fault lines and a cluster of dormant strato volcanoes within 12 kms of Mount Matutum, an active volcano. All these factors are a sure recipe for disaster in the not too distant future. Hundreds of tailings dams have failed as reported by UNEP. [2] We do not believe that dams can be designed to last forever where tropical storms, typhoons, heavy rains and seismic activity are a constant threat. Induced seismic activity can cause even more damage.

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The Human Settlements and Environment Program of TAO-Pilipinas, Inc. is looking for a program staff who will be tasked to do design development and construction supervision of evacuation center and small infrastructures. The project areas are in Rodriguez, Taytay, San Mateo, Navotas, and Quezon City.

Responsibilities:

1. Assist in the planning and design consultation process with stakeholders;
2. Draft design development drawings based on the results of consultation;
3. Assist in coordination meetings with engineering consultants and undertake the necessary revisions to the plans;
4. Coordinate with consultants for the completion of contract documents and other requirements of the project;
5. Submit and follow-up release of applications for necessary permits for the construction and occupancy/use of the infrastructure.
6. Supervise project construction in coordination with the local community.
7. Ensure that delivery of outputs is according to specifications and approved time table.
8. Consult the HSE Program Director on matters requiring decisions to implement changes in construction projects.

 Qualifications:

Education: A graduate preferably of architecture or civil engineering with knowledge in design and construction of institutional buildings and small community infrastructures

Work Experience: At least 1 year experience in construction supervision or management. Knowledge and experience in permitting process and requirements for building construction is a must.  Experience in materials and services procurement is also a must.  Experience and knowledge of the institutions and processes of the NGO system in the Philippines preferred. Experience in direct community interaction related to human settlements and environment issues and disaster risk reduction is an advantage.

Language: Fluency in English and Tagalog with excellent drafting ability essential

Other Skills: Knowledge of relevant institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to building construction and disaster risk management. Knowledge of the institutions and processes of TAO-Pilipinas, Inc., an advantage. Strong desire to work with the poor.

How to Apply:

All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement. Applications may be sent through email or fax. Include the Vacancy Announcement Number HS/E- CA-001-2012 in the subject heading.

Applicants must submit the following documents:

1. Application Letter
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. Two (2) recommendation letters from former employers or professors.
4. Include preferred salary.

Applications will be acknowledged where an e-mail address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received.

All short listed candidates will be notified on or before April 16, 2012.

Be sure to read the full details of the job vacancy here before applying.

E-mail: tao_phil@yahoo.com

Fax: +632 441 0998

The March-April 2012 Issue of the YP Enewsletter is now available and ready for download. This issue discussed the various projects that TAO-Pilipinas, Inc. are currently involved in. Highlighted in the newsletter is the ADB-sponsored project in Sitio Pulo, Tanza, Navotas. The newsletter also featured an article about the study visit of foreign students from the Urban Shelter course of Lund University as well as an article about the recently concluded PMPI General Assembly Meeting in Baguio City.

1. Job Title : Education and Training (ET) Program Staff

2. Responsibilities : As ET program staff, the incumbent shall

a. directly report to the ET Program Director and TAO Executive Director;

b. assist in the preparation of participatory training/workshop modules and tools on community planning and development; community-based solid waste management; technical capability building for community leaders; community-based disaster risk management for sites and buildings;

c. coordinate with resource persons and assist in organizing staff development activities;

d. coordinate with resource persons and assist in organizing livelihood development activities for TAO’s partner POs;

e. facilitate planning and design workshops for community-based organizations, non-government organizations, local government units and government agencies;

f. undertake training needs assessments and project monitoring and evaluation activities;

g. prepare program and project reports; and

h. undertake other tasks assigned by the Executive Director.

 3. Qualifications : Applicant should be female; with university degree in Architecture or Civil Engineering, and/or Environmental Planning (or related field); has strong communication skills (written and spoken) and fluent in Tagalog and English; with fully proficient computer skills and use of relevant software applications (e.g. word processing, excel, powerpoint, photoshop); and preferably with work experience in a non-government organization or similar environment.

4. Renumeration : Depending on the applicant’s professional background and experience, a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. The selected applicant should be able to report for work as soon as possible.

5. How to apply : Please send application letter and curriculum vitae with two (2) work-related references to Geraldine Matabang, ET Program Director. Applications may be sent through email or fax.

Email : info@tao-pilipinas.org

Fax : (632) 441-0998 / 436-7301

The January-February 2012 Issue of the YP Enewsletter is now available for download. This issue talks about the YP Reunion held last year at Malayan Plaza. Reflections from some of the 2011 YP Workshop participants are also included in this latest issue. Click the photo on the right to download the latest issue.

For old issues of the YP Enewsletter, please click here.