A Catholic bishop has raised alarm over a recent Supreme Court decision nullifying Occidental Mindoro’s 25-year moratorium on large-scale mining, warning that it could undermine similar environmental efforts in neighboring provinces.
In a Jan. 14 en banc ruling, the high court declared the ordinance void, citing a conflict with Republic Act 7942, also known as the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.
Bishop Moises Cuevas of Calapan said the ruling may set a legal precedent that threatens a parallel ordinance still in effect in Oriental Mindoro.
“This decision could plausibly be a precedent-setting move for the subsisting parallel local ordinance in Oriental Mindoro,” Cuevas said.
“It could also probably have destructive impacts for our shared mission -expressed in Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato si – ‘on care for our common home,’” he said.
Cuevas called on civil society, religious groups and local officials to come together and respond collectively to what he described as a threat to environmental stewardship and social justice.
“Sitting on the fence is not an option,” he said.
To rally support, the Apostolic Vicariate of Calapan will host a “Dialogue Forum on the Mindoro Mining Moratorium” on July 10, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Bishop Cajandig’s Conference Hall in Salong, Calapan City.
The vicariate has also declared July 10 a day of prayer for environmental justice, encouraging parishes and religious groups across Oriental Mindoro to hold prayer activities.
Cuevas thanked public officials who have taken a stand against mining interests but warned that political divisions threaten the possibility of a united front.
“Party-line affiliations and individual dispositions are at odds that weaken our desired end,” he said.|- CBCPnews
