Bishop calls for ‘day of prayer’ vs mining return to Occidental Mindoro

Inquirer files

CITY OF CALAPAN, ORIENTAL MINDORO, Philippines —Bishop Moises Cuevas of the Apostolic Vicariate of Calapan has called for a “day of prayer” to find a united response against the reopening of Occidental Mindoro to mining activities.

The prelate’s call, made in time for Sunday’s opening of the province’s Ecology Month celebration, was in response to a recent Supreme Court ruling that nullified the provincial government’s 25-year ban on large-scale mining.

Cuevas’ opposition to the lifting of the mining ban was contained in a statement dated June 12 but released only on July 4 by the vicariate.

READ: Nickel miners upbeat as Supreme Court stops Mindoro ban

The prelate urged religious groups, civil society, and local officials to unite in response to what he described as a threat to environmental protection and social justice.

The high court, in an en banc decision issued on Jan. 14, declared the provincial moratorium invalid for violating Republic Act No. 7942, or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.

On May 14, the high court further ruled that the provincial government of Occidental Mindoro exceeded its authority when it enacted ordinances imposing a total ban on large-scale mining.

The high court said local governments cannot override the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 by enforcing a complete prohibition on mining activities.

Following the decision, officials in neighboring Oriental Mindoro maintained that their province still holds the authority to oppose mining within its jurisdiction.

Precedent

Oriental Mindoro first enacted its own mining moratorium through Provincial Ordinance No. 01-2002, which was later extended in 2022 for another 25 years starting in 2027. This ordinance bans all forms of both large-scale and small-scale mining in the province.

Two earlier provincial ordinances in Oriental Mindoro—Ordinance Nos. 2002-01 and 28-2013—remain in effect until 2027.

Cuevas warned the high court ruling could set a precedent that may affect the similar ordinance in Oriental Mindoro. He said political divisions could hinder a unified response and stressed that “sitting on the fence is not an option.”

To initiate dialogue, the Apostolic Vicariate of Calapan will hold a forum on the Mindoro Mining Moratorium on July 10, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Bishop Cajandig’s Conference Hall in Barangay Salong, Calapan City.

Cuevas, who declared the same day as the day of prayer, also called on clergy, religious communities and parishioners to participate in the day of prayer through activities such as Holy Masses, Holy Hours and the recitation of the Holy Rosary.

The announcement comes as the vicariate observes Ecology Month this July, with scheduled activities including a poster-making contest, a symposium on environmental stewardship, a cleanup drive and a thanksgiving Mass. /cb