Mindoreños has expressed strongly opposition to the Supreme Court’s decision to nullify the 25-year moratorium or ban on large-scale mining in Occidental Mindoro. In a pastoral letter released on June 12 and made public this July, Calapan Bishop Moises Cuevas asserted that the decision threatens not only the province but also other provinces with similar policies to protect the environment.
Bishop Cuevas stated that lifting the mining ban could set a dangerous new precedent in law, which would undermine local governments’ ability to defend their natural resources against large mining companies.
“We must not remain silent. This decision threatens environmental protection and social justice,” the bishop said. He urged the church, environmental organizations, and local officials to unite and take action.
The bishop refers to the Supreme Court’s decision, released in January and affirmed in May, which ruled that Occidental Mindoro violated Republic Act 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 when it imposed a total ban on large-scale mining. The Supreme Court reasoned that only the national government is mandated to regulate mineral resources, and local governments cannot implement a blanket ban or total prohibition.
Environmental groups also strongly condemned the decision. According to the Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment, this decision constitutes “a direct trampling on the right of local governments and communities to defend their environment and livelihood.” The group called for the immediate repeal of RA 7942.
On July 10, the Calapan Apostolic Vicariate will hold a “Dialogue Forum on the Mindoro Mining Moratorium” in Calapan City, alongside the declaration of a Day of Prayer for Environmental Justice. This event aims to strengthen the commitment of the church and the people to the environment, and to encourage widespread action and prayer for environmental justice.
