Iligan City- Two Hundred Six Bishops and Priests all over Mindanao signed a statement week ago condemning the government’s “Sustainable Mining” and the Republic Act 7942 or Mining Act of 1995 during the three day Diocesan Clergy of Mindanao annual convention held in Iligan City last February 11-13, 2008

The Statement mentions a number of mine-related tragedies and disasters since the passage of the Mining Act including the collapse of the tailings dam of the Marcopper Mining, spilling tons of toxic waste into the island of Marinduque.

The statement condemns the series of human rights abuses and the displacement of Indigenous People, the Subanon, in Mount Canatuan, Tabayo, Siocon Zamboanga del Norte, committed by TVI a Canadian Mining Firm.

“The recent mine spills in Rapu-Rapu Albay in the mining sites of Lafayette Philippines Inc. and its two subsidiaries; Rapu-Rapu Minerals Inc. and Rapu-Rapu Processing are just a few examples of how the mining industries destroyed God’s creation”, the statement asserts.

The statement describes mining as highly extractive industry and remnants of past mining projects and abandoned mines, which can be found in many parts of the country, can attest to this.

“We do not subscribe to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)’s reference to sustainable mining, and we believe that mining can never be sustainable”, the statement stressed.

The Statement said that the Mindanao Bishops and Priests understand the government’s desire to reduce poverty but they do not understand why lives and properties have to be sacrificed in the process.

The statement strongly recommends agriculture as a source of livelihood which is less destructive and far more productive than mining that the government can resort to in its effort to alleviate poverty.

The Philippines, the statement said, is basically an agricultural country with fertile lands and seas with abundant  marine resources, yet in spite of all these, the country remains poor and the people deprived of food and other basic necessities.

The statement is calling on the Philippine Government to redirect its agenda to food security and develop an agricultural and aqua based economy instead of the highly extractive industry like mining.

“The church, business and other sectors should be more conscious of their respective social responsibility and together direct their activities towards the common good and the attainment of sustainable development”, the statement addressed.

The Statement also called on the people’s support and understanding in the struggle against large-scale mining and the blatant exploitation of Indigenous people

In 1998 and January 29, 2006 the Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) issued a strong position expressing concern over the existence of the Republic Act 7942 known as Mining Act of 1995 liberalizing the Philippine Mining Industry.-tito n. fiel