Sign the petition here: https://bit.ly/3gwzFbE
We, representatives of various faith-based and environmental organizations, and other concerned groups and individuals, express our grave alarm over the lifting of the ban on issuing licenses for new mining operations by the Office of the President. This may lead to the entry of many mining companies, if and when the 291 filed mining applications are approved. This move is quite surprising since our country’s vulnerability to disasters caused by climate change continues to worsen.
We, representatives of various faith-based and environmental organizations, and other concerned groups and individuals, express our grave alarm over the lifting of the ban on issuing licenses for new mining operations by the Office of the President. This may lead to the entry of many mining companies, if and when the 291 filed mining applications are approved. This move is quite surprising since our country’s vulnerability to disasters caused by climate change continue to worsen.
We take exception to the reason for Executive Order 130, to spur economic growth and support projects and programs of the government, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. 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. 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. Once fruitful agricultural lands can be transformed into wastelands, and the people dependent on the once productive capacity of the land will be driven into marginal livelihoods and precarious existence. 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.
Furthermore, mining activities have also brought serious health hazards into our communities and exploited the health and labor of mine workers. Which is the irony of it all. 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.
It is in this regard that we call on President Rodrigo R. Duterte to reconsider the lifting on the ban on new mining permits.
Signed:
Rev. Fr. 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
Dr. Zeneth Maramara
Chair, Creation Care Commission, PCEC
Sign the petition here: https://bit.ly/3gwzFbE
