A Roman Catholic bishop has sounded the alarm over a recent Supreme Court (SC) decision striking down Occidental Mindoro’s 25-year moratorium on large-scale mining, warning it could set a legal precedent that jeopardizes similar environmental safeguards in neighboring provinces.

On January 14, the Supreme Court, sitting en banc, voided the local ordinance, ruling that it conflicts with Republic Act 7942, the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.

According to Bishop Moises Cuevas of Calapan, the ruling may open the door for legal challenges against other mining bans, including the one still in place in Oriental Mindoro.

“This decision could plausibly be a precedent-setting move for the subsisting parallel local ordinance in Oriental Mindoro,” Cuevas stated.

He added that the ruling might undermine the shared goal of protecting creation, as emphasized in Pope Francis’ Laudato si on caring for our common home.

Cuevas urged civil society, religious leaders, and local government units to act decisively, saying the ruling poses a threat to environmental stewardship and social justice.

“Sitting on the fence is not an option,” the bishop said.

To build momentum, the Apostolic Vicariate of Calapan will hold 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 also declared July 10 a day of prayer for environmental justice, calling on churches and religious communities across Oriental Mindoro to join in simultaneous prayer activities.

Cuevas expressed gratitude to public officials who have opposed mining operations in the province but noted that internal divisions threaten to derail a united stance.

He noted that political divisions and personal differences were undermining efforts to reach a common goal.