Bishop blames lifting of mining ban on polls

PRESIDENT RODRIGO Duterte’s decision to lift a moratorium on mining last month is directly linked to the national elections in 2022 , according to a leading churchman.

President Rodrigo Duterte

Duterte lifted the nine-year moratorium on new mining agreements in mid-April purportedly to boost the economy by creating jobs amid the Covid-19 crisis. He also said taxes generated would support infrastructure projects across the country.

However, Manila apostolic administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo believes lifting the ban was not for the people but was fueled by a political agenda. “They (government officials) really need the money for elections. And these big mining firms are the ones giving away the money in exchange for getting permits. In our current situation, it will not benefit the country, but only a few,” Pabillo said at a Mass on May 16. 

By allowing new mining agreements, the government has also given the green light to environmental degradation including human rights abuses against Filipino workers, he said.

“Mining is one of the causes of the destruction of communities of indigenous peoples and the poor. We will see once again human rights violations and red-tagging of indigenous peoples, farmers, fishermen and environmentalists against mining,” Pabillo said. 

Pabillo is a staunch advocate of indigenous peoples’ rights and caring for the environment. In 2013, he launched an online campaign against the country’s largest copper and gold mining corporation to call on then President Benigno Aquino to investigate the mining firm and review mining concessions and requirements. 

“We need someone like Bishop Pabillo who bravely fights for the rights of the poor and the unheard, particularly the indigenous peoples. If our bishops will not fight for the oppressed, who will?” Manila parishioner Leonardo Harael told UCA News. 

“May our politicians be reminded to care for the environment so that it may be spared from abuse in order to generate profit for selfish gain,” Harael added. 

He said Pabillo’s comments were also a reminder to Filipino Catholics to mark the anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical on protecting the environment, Laudato Si', issued on May 24, 2015. 

Laudato Si' (Praised Be You) is the second encyclical of Pope Francis. The encyclical has the subtitle “on care for our common home.” In it, the Pope critiques consumerism and irresponsible development, laments environmental degradation and global warming, and calls all people of the world to take “swift and unified global action.” (Joseph Peter Calleja – UCAN)