Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of the Diocese of San Carlos has expressed solidarity with Bishop Jose Elmer Mangalinao of Bayombong and communities in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya, amid concerns over mining activities and their potential impact on the environment, livelihoods, and ancestral lands.
Alminaza, who also serves as chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Episcopal Commission on Social Action, Justice and Peace and president of Caritas Philippines, said the Church stands with Indigenous Peoples, farmers, and local communities whose lives depend on the area’s forests, rivers, watersheds, and ancestral domains.
Alminaza said the Church’s support is rooted in its mission to accompany vulnerable communities and advocate for the protection of natural resources that sustain life.
“The cry of the poor and the cry of the earth are inseparable,” he said.
The bishop emphasized that the issues being raised in Kasibu go beyond environmental concerns and involve questions of human dignity, food security, cultural survival, and the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
He said communities affected by development projects should be allowed meaningful participation in decisions that could affect their homes, livelihoods, and future.
“Communities must never be made to fear for raising legitimate concerns about projects that affect their environment and well-being,” Alminaza said.
The San Carlos bishop also defended Mangalinao’s involvement in the issue, saying the Bayombong prelate was fulfilling the Church’s pastoral responsibility by accompanying communities seeking to protect resources vital to their survival.
Alminaza cited the teachings of the Church and the call of the late Pope Francis to care for creation and vulnerable sectors, stressing that environmental stewardship is a moral responsibility tied to the protection of life and the common good.
He further warned that climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation continue to threaten vulnerable communities across the country.
“Development cannot be measured solely by economic returns. It must also be measured by its impact on people, communities, creation, and future generations,” he said.
Alminaza called for wisdom, justice, and concern for the common good in addressing the issues raised by communities in Kasibu and reiterated support for the rights of citizens and Indigenous Peoples to participate in decisions affecting their future.
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