Faith-based organizations composed of Catholic, Protestant and Evangelical churches have expressed grave alarm over the lifting of the ban on issuing licenses for new mining operations by the Office of the President.
In a joint statement, the groups said "this may lead to the entry of many mining companies, if and when the 291 filed mining applications are approved."
"We would like to remind the president, that large-scale mining, which may contribute to the economy due to an increase in excise taxes, will only be for a short-term. Because mining operations are almost always in mountains and forested areas – the focal ecosystems - our other ecosystems will also be affected as well," read the statement posted by FBO PH on their Facebook page Friday, April 23.
They said the short term benefit is not commensurate to the long term destruction and loss on our ecosystem and in the future of our country.
"Mining companies are notorious for violating safety standards for their workers, affected communities and the environment. Our people have been victims of the destructive effects of large-scale mining on our forests, rivers, lakes, seas, air and on our biodiversity," read the statement.
They added that human rights violations - especially against indigenous peoples, peasants, fisher folks, women and children, and environmental defenders - are rampant where these companies operate, most often perpetrated and backed by security forces.
Mining activities, they said, have also brought serious health hazards to communities and exploited the health and labor of mine workers.
"Scientists have pointed out that environmental destruction and climate change are major causes why diseases like COVID-19 are now in our midst. Thus, further opening up our country to further mining activities will only exacerbate our vulnerability to COVID-19 and other diseases," the statement read.
"It is in this regard that we call on President Rodrigo R. Duterte to reconsider the lifting on the ban on new mining permits," it further read.
The statement was signed by Father Antonio E. Labiao, Jr.
Forum Convenor, FBO PH
Executive Secretary, CBCP//Caritas Philippines; Bishop Reuel Norman O. Marigza Steering Committee, FBO PH
General Secretary, NCCP-ACT Alliance;
Bishop Noel A. Pantoja
Steering Committee, FBO PH
Executive Director, PCEC-PHILRADS;
Mervin Toquero
Program Secretary, Program Unit on
Faith, Witness and Service, NCCP; and
Dr. Zeneth Maramara
Chair, Creation Care Commission, PCEC.