The Diocese of Marbel in South Cotabato will hold a prayer march on Wednesday, June 1, to protest the open pit mining project in the province particularly in the town of Tampakan.
Marbel Social Action Director Fr. Jerome Milan said, the prayer march seeks to make an appeal to South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo, Jr. not to allow the open pit mining project to push through and to consider the concerns raised by various sectors, residents, and the local Church.
“We are united in our appeal to Governor Tamayo to urge him to veto the amended version of the environment code that was approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan,” Fr. Milan said over Radio Veritas.
The assembly for the prayer rally that will march towards the capitol grounds will be at the Christ the King Cathedral Compound at 9 a.m.
“We are also concerned about the effects that the mining project might have on nearby provinces. Join us. Let us unite in showing our governor that we protest the changes made in our environment code that would allow open pit mining in South Cotabato,” the priest said.
Marbel Bishop Cerilo Casicas, earlier, called for fasting and prayer for guidance for local officials to consider the dangers posed to the environment by the mining project.