Davao Region bishops support call to declare Davao Oriental as mining-free zone – Manila Bulletin

Church leaders based in the Davao Region have expressed support for the move to declare Davao Oriental as a mining-free zone.

Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles, Davao Auxiliary Bishop George Rimando, Digos Bishop Guillermo Afable, Tagum Bishop Medil Aseo, and Mati Bishop Abel Apigo have all expressed support to House Bill 1124 which seeks to ban large and small-scale mining in Davao Oriental including quarrying.

“In this sacred and morally-binding context, we express our hope, our plea, indeed, our demand, that we all should care for the environment from which we derive our existence,” the prelates said.

“We amplify the call for the communities affected by mining to stand our ground in defense of our common home. As stewards of the environment, we should be acting as keepers of our common home,” the bishops said over Radio Veritas.

Davao Oriental is home to the Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary which has been declared a UNESCO heritage site, the protected seascape of the Pujada Bay, and the indigenous people from the Mandaya and Mansaka tribes.

Pope Francis, in his encyclical Laudato Si, has expressed concern over the destruction brought about by mining both to the affected community and the environment.