The Diocese of Bangued has condemned plans for large-scale mining in Licuan-Baay, warning of grave threats to the environment, Indigenous Peoples’ rights, and the health and livelihood of communities.
In a pastoral statement released this week, the bishop and clergy said Yamang Mineral Corporation obtained an Authority to Verify Minerals without securing the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) of Indigenous Peoples.
The church leaders in the northern Philippine province of Abra described the move as a violation of both due process and fundamental human dignity.
“The Church in the Diocese of Bangued stands united in defending the environment and the sanctity of God’s creation,” the statement read. “Such disregard for law and community raises deep concerns about credibility, respect, and justice.”
The diocese warned that mining in Licuan-Baay will not only affect the area but also nearby municipalities, as the Malanas and Baay Rivers flow into the Abra River, a vital lifeline for local communities.
It cautioned that mining operations would bring “contamination, flooding, and destruction,” with impacts that extend across the province.
Citing the teachings of St. John Paul II and the Gospel of Mark, the diocese underscored that stewardship of creation is a moral duty that cannot be traded for short-term profit.
“The short-term lure of profit can never outweigh the lasting value of clean rivers, fertile soil, healthy communities, and a living culture,” the statement read
The pastoral letter reiterated that the Church condemns “every action that destroys our environment.”
The clergy called on government officials and agencies to act with courage and integrity, enforce environmental laws, and defend the rights of the people of Abra.
They also invoked the Supreme Court ruling in Oposa v. Factoran (1993), which affirmed the responsibility of each generation to protect the environment for future generations.
“If we remain silent, our children and their children will suffer—and they will hold us accountable,” the statement warned.
The Diocese urged the faithful to remain united in protecting creation. “Let us choose life, justice, and stewardship,” the bishops and clergy said, adding that Abra can still stand as a “vibrant witness to the beauty of God’s creation.”
