CEAP, CBCP seek gov’t action on Dupax del Norte mining dispute
MANILA, Philippines — The Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) have called on the government to protect the welfare of residents of Dupax del Norte, Nueva Vizcaya and reassess mining exploration permits granted to a foreign mining firm amid environmental and ancestral concerns.
This shared statement came after the Regional Trial Court Branch 30 in Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya reiterated its directive for authorities to implement the writ of preliminary injunction, which directs the dismantling of obstructions of protesters on the exploration operations of Woggle Corporations covered by a valid exploration permit.
READ: Dupax mining: Environmentalists slam arrest order vs protesters
The court also ordered authorities to identify and arrest the protesters who continued to block the exploration activities.
The Nueva Vizcaya police arrested seven individuals, including anti-mining leader Florentino Daynos.
The CEAP and CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Catholic Education underscored the importance of upholding environmental justice, as they described the exploration rights as “peril disguised as promise” and “not progress.”
Hence, the organizations called on Nueva Vizcaya officials to “enforce the province’s environmental code, suspend destructive mining activities, and demand full public consultations before any permit is approved.”
READ: Court orders IDs, arrests of protesters blocking Dupax mining
They also urged the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources to uphold their duty in protecting ecological balance and “reassess exploration permits in Dupax del Norte, publish transparent environmental impact reports, and prioritize restoration over extraction.”
As the two organizations continue to advocate for the “sacred responsibility” of protecting the environment and the ancestral land of indigenous communities, they also asked environmental advocates, faith-based organizations, educators, and Catholic schools to continue amplifying the rights of communities to a safe and clean environment.
“Let us pass on to our children a living inheritance, not poisoned rivers, barren hills, and broken spirits. The defense of our common home is not the duty of a few. It is a sacred responsibility of all,” CEAP and CBCP said. /gsg
