CARE FOR THE INTEGRITY OF CREATION, CARE FOR PEOPLE!
Earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” (I Cor 10:26)

We, concerned people of the Diocese of Ilagan are alarmed by the presence of various so-called developmental projects in the province of Isabela which are directly under the control of transnational corporations and large-scale mining firms.

We have seen the destruction wrought by these transnational corporations and large-scale mining corporations on the social and environmental landscape of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. They continue to plunder our remaining forests and agricultural resources and drain away life from our rivers, seas, and coasts.

We have witnessed massive flooding and landslides that have caused deaths and miseries among our people due to unabated logging and mining. We believe these are enough for our national and local government to realize that there is a need for a drastic change in the country’s mining policy.

We believe that there is an obvious lack of transparency in the process of planning and identification of these projects wherein the local government has disregarded the rights of the affected communities as well as the protection of the environment. We are concerned that conflicts may arise should the people assert their rights and defend their resources against the onslaught of mining companies. It is well known that the state, more often than not, protects foreign corporations with the use of the military, police and militia units over and against just and legitimate protests of concerned citizens.

And so as united people of God with deep love for our country and environment, we, therefore, unwaveringly urge our local and national leaders to:

• Scrap the Mining Act of 1995 and stop the government’s Mining Revitalization Program
• Stop foreign large-scale mining operations
• Declare a moratorium of all mining operations as well as the processing of applications for exploration and actual operation for metallic and non-metallic minerals in Isabela
• Intensify the implementation of Logging Moratorium
• Review the Ilagan-Divilacan Road Project and other development projects like dams in San Mariano, Ilagan and Jones.
• Prioritize genuine land reform and stop development projects that legitimize land grabbing and destruction of bio-dioversity.
• Expose and oppose selfish class interests behind the plunder of our natural resources and patrimony.

In Solidarity,
Signed during the SAVE SIERRA MADRE PILGRIMAGE in Isabela, April 16-30, 2012.

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