By BOBBY Q. LABALAN
LEGASPI City–Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes has challenged government officials who advocate mining to live in areas ravaged by mining so they would have a taste of the sufferings of the poor.
Bastes also warned government officials that the wrath of the people would be upon them if they insist on pursuing activities that would destroy the environment like mining and geothermal exploration.
“These two activities are both destructive of the environment which eventually ravages the people especially the poor who have no other choice but to stay in their localities,” he stressed before the start of the Ecumenical Bishop’s Forum on Mining at Bacacay, Albay.
The prelate said the effects of environmental degradation are now very evident with the floods that struck many provinces in the north and elsewhere in the country, adding that “Only the poor who are at the disadvantage when this happens while officials and those who profited from mining are in the comforts of their mansions.”
The government must immediately put a stop to all environmentally destructive activities and push for moves that would resuscitate Mother Nature, he said as he cautioned the people that the supposed benefits from mining being trumpeted by these mining advocates are mere cosmetics meant to placate the people.
Bastes said no amount of benefits can replace the safety and livelihood that the people get from a good environment.
He expressed strong support to the case filed by anti-mining groups against DENR and local officials relative to the mining activities in the town of Matnog. The case is still pending before the sala of Executive Judge Victor Gella in Sorsogon City. Named respondent to the case were DENR Sec. Ramon Paje, Sorsogon Gov. Raul Lee, Mines and Geosciences Bureau Director Rey Juan and officials of the mining companies.
Bastes also sounded the alarm against the planned geothermal explorations around Bulusan Volcano, an active volcano in the province of Sorsogon.
The Department of Energy had issued Geothermal Resource Energy Service Contract (GRESCO) No. 2010-01-015 to SKI Construction Group to look into the possibility of putting up a geothermal plant around Mt. Bulusan.
SKI has been conducting consultations with local officials and residents in the six municipalities located at the foot of the volcano which include the towns of Barcelona, Bulusan, Irosin, Juban and Casiguran.
Some local officials have expressed reservations over the project due to the opposition by their constituents.
Similar attempts had been made in the 90s but all failed due to strong resistance from residents of the localities.
The bishop said he will be issuing a pastoral statement on the issue to rally the support of the people against “the evils of mining.”
He said the campaign against mining is a fitting tribute to St. Francis of Assisi, the acknowledged patron of the environment whose feast is being celebrated Oct. 4.
Bastes said he would raise these concerns before the three-day Ecumenical Bishops Forum which would discuss mining issues in Bicol region. Some fifty bishops representing various sects and denominations were expected to attend the forum on mining which starts today.
Bastes said the forum is expected to issue various statements on mining and possibly other environmental issues.
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