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The Duty of Responsible
Sterwardship Toward the Environment
A
Pastoral Letter on Mining by Archbishop Onesimo Gordoncillo “And God
saw that it was good” (Gen. 1:4; 10; 13; 19; 21; 25; 31).
Brothers and sisters in Christ:
This is the phrase that keeps recurring and recurring in the
creation account in Genesis. All that God created are good—the
light, water, dry land, bird of the air, heavenly bodies, plants,
creatures of the sea, animals and man. God blessed man and woman and
said to them: “Fill the earth and subdue it;” till it and keep it”
(Gen 1:28; 2:15). Our care of the earth is a noble trust that comes
from God. He wants the earth to be productive and fruitful and not
for exploitation as if inexhaustible. The Second Plenary Council of
the Philippines, n. 324, says: “The sovereignty granted to us by the
Creator is not a license to misuse God’s creation. We are but
stewards of creation, not its absolute master. And stewards are
accountable to the Creator and giver of all good things.”
The Capiceños are accountable before the Creator of the natural
resources that abound in the province of Capiz. Hence, we should not
abuse them for personal, monetary, political or other self-serving
motives. Instead, we should be wise and just stewards of our natural
resources since they are ultimately ordained towards God. Nature’s
bounty, a sign of God’s endless generosity, should give glory to his
name. The Book of Psalms declares: “How many are your works, O Lord!
In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures…
These all look to you” (Psalm 104: 24; 27). How can nature and its
resources glorify God and mirror his goodness if they are already
damaged and plundered due to abuse and misuse?
Mining, especially abusive, irresponsible, anti-environmental and
illegal, has an “adverse social impact on affected communities” (CBCP
Statement on Mining Issues and Concerns, June 29, 2006). In Capiz,
an estimated 24,460 hectares—almost 9 percent of its total land
area—are potentials for mining due to pending applications. In some
barrios of Maayon and nearby areas, the so-called “mining
exploration” has taken place because of a new “Environmental Code”
which permits the said exploration thus implicitly lifting the 50
years mining moratorium, supposedly to end in 2048. Some questions
come to mind: What is the truth about this so-called “mining
exploration?” What is the real status now of the 50 year mining ban
– initially 15 years and later extended to 50 years – passed as an
ordinance in Capiz in 1998? What are the motives behind the new
“Environmental Code” for Capiz?
Indubitably, mining contributes to the local and the national
income. Economic activities are created in mining sites. But most
often, these are short-term activities. Mining in our country, like
the one in Marinduque, Nueva Viscaya or Surigao, Rapu-Rapu in
Sorsogon has shown that poverty continues to prevail in mining
sites. Foreign mining companies, possibly after bribing local
officials, have dislocated people, caused a lot of deforestation,
landslides, and floods in barrios and rice fields. Sad to say, silts
and muds sometimes accompany flash floods from the mountains during
typhoons. If responsible mining promises jobs and boosts the local
economy, where is real development in the area? Is it within our
sight? Does mining and its income-generating activities help build
schools, health or nutrition centers in the locality?
The Philippines lose over 2 billion dollars annually because of
environmental degradation. This is something alarming and hence
safeguards should be instituted. The Second Plenary Council of the
Philippines, n. 321 cautions that mining, among others, becomes a
moral issue “when done with inadequate safeguards for ecological
integrity.” We should give what is due to the environment. We should
preserve its integrity and ultimately collaborate with God to attain
its perfection.
How can the integrity of God’s creation be preserved if
irresponsible exploration, excavation and extraction due to mining
only bring scars and dusts to the earth’s surface, destroy the water
table and consequently endanger our source of water? This is a grave
injustice to God. Can we live peacefully in conscience that after
mining, what remains for the affected people are pollutions, toxic
wastes and health hazards? This is highly unjust to the people. Are
we happy if someday our rivers, like the rivers of Maayon, Panitan,
Pontevedra and Panay become polluted and silted due to mine
tailings? These are serious threats to human and marine lives. If
all that God made is good, why do they become threats?
As long as mining remains abusive, irresponsible, anti-environmental
and illegal, we will continue our firm resolve to oppose mining in
all its forms. Our natural resources have limitations which imply a
moral duty on our part—the duty of responsible stewardship. We have
to work out for the security of the present and future generation.
May the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Patroness, intercede for us who
value the right to life, a healthy environment and a lively natural
landscape!
Sincerely in our Lord,
+ONESIMO C. GORDONCILLO, D.D.
Archbishop of Capiz |
