The Catholic Church in Camarines Norte has warned that large-scale mining threatens land, livelihoods and the future of communities, calling on government and corporations to ensure transparency, scientific scrutiny and meaningful community participation in development decisions.
The Diocese of Daet raised the concern in a pastoral manifesto issued Sept. 1 for the Season of Creation 2026, citing deforestation, waste problems, water shortages and pollution, climate change, and the threat of large-scale mining among the environmental challenges facing the province.
“Ang aming panawagan ay nakaugat sa kongkretong kalagayan ng Camarines Norte—sa lupa, dagat, kagubatan, ilog, at mga pamayanang aming pinaglilingkuran,” the manifesto said.
The diocese linked environmental degradation to its impact on communities, saying damage to the land hurts people, destruction of the sea deprives fishers of their livelihoods, and polluted water leaves the poor among the first to suffer.
It called on government and corporations to uphold transparency, scientific assessment, accountability and the common good.
The manifesto said communities directly affected by projects must have genuine, free, sufficient and meaningful participation in decisions affecting their land, water, livelihoods and future.
The diocese stressed that the Church was not opposed to development, jobs, business or infrastructure.
“Hindi laban ang Simbahan sa pag-unlad, trabaho, negosyo, o imprastraktura. Ang tanong ay: Anong uri ng pag-unlad? Para kanino? Sino ang nakikinabang, sino ang nagsasakripisyo, at ano ang kapalit?” it said.
The manifesto said genuine development must be people-centered, just and sustainable and focused on the common good, rather than enriching a few while leaving others and future generations to bear the damage.
It described creation as a gift from God entrusted to humanity, rather than a commodity or possession.
“Ang sangnilikha ay kaloob ng Diyos, hindi kalakal o pag-aari. Ang lupa, dagat, ilog, kagubatan, at lahat ng buhay ay ipinagkatiwala sa atin. Tayo ay hindi mga may-ari kundi mga katiwala,” the manifesto said.
The diocese also called on families and young people to adopt simple and responsible lifestyles, avoid waste, properly manage garbage and defend the environment for future generations.
Parishes, Catholic schools, religious communities and diocesan institutions were urged to promote ecological education and examinations of conscience, conduct simple ecological audits, conserve water and energy, reduce waste and protect forests, watersheds, rivers and seas.
The manifesto said ecological conversion could not be limited to protests or short-term programs but required changes in attitudes, lifestyles and consumption.
“Hindi sapat ang protesta o panandaliang programa. Kailangan ang pagbabago ng puso, pagnanasa, lifestyle, at paraan ng pagkonsumo: mula sa pag-aaksaya tungo sa stewardship; mula sa pagsasamantala tungo sa pag-aaruga; mula sa ‘akin’ tungo sa ‘atin,’” it said.
The Diocese of Daet pledged to listen, speak and act, saying its response would be guided by truth, dialogue, unity and love rather than anger or violence.
The manifesto was signed Sept. 1, the 52nd anniversary of the canonical erection of the Diocese of Daet and the start of the Season of Creation, by Bishop Herman G. Abcede, Merle C. Fontanilla, president of the Council of the Laity, and Father Ernie G. Sanchez, chairman of the Commission on Ecology.
A pastoral instruction accompanying the manifesto directed that it be proclaimed in all parishes and communities of the diocese on Sept. 6.
It also called on parishes, Catholic schools, religious communities, basic ecclesial communities, ministries, and organizations to carry out concrete actions during the Season of Creation in response to the commitments outlined in the manifesto.
