Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI
Cordillera People Alliance
Abra (Agenzia Fides) – The Cordillera administrative region in the north of Luzon island, known for its exceptional natural beauty, is at risk of devastation and could lose a priceless natural resource due to large-scale mining projects, which the indigenous population, particularly in the province of Abra, is protesting against. This is the complaint of the local Catholic community after the multinational company “Yamang Mineral Corporation” obtained authorization to explore the subsoil and begin mining without obtaining the consent of the local indigenous peoples.In the Diocese of Bangued, to which the province of Abra belongs, there is deep concern as the local population witnesses increasingly serious threats to the environment, the lives of the indigenous population, the health, and the livelihoods of the communities. The clergy, religious, and catechists have mobilized and expressed their solidarity, demanding a review of the licensing process, which “violates the fundamental principle of human dignity.””The Diocese of Bangued is united in defending the sanctity of God’s creation,” reads a statement read during Sunday Masses in the parishes and signed by Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian and other ecclesiastical authorities representing the community. “The disregard for the law and the parishes raises deep concerns about credibility, respect, and justice,” reads the letter sent to Fides, because the mining will also endanger the Abra River, whose flow is vital for the livelihood of local communities. The mining, it states, is expected to cause “pollution, flooding, and destruction,” with repercussions for the entire province.Citing the Gospel of Mark, the teachings of Saint John Paul II, and Pope Francis’s encyclical “Laudato Si’,” the Catholic community emphasizes that “the protection of creation is a moral duty that cannot be exchanged for short-term profit.” This “can never surpass the lasting value of clean rivers, fertile soils, healthy communities, and a vibrant culture,” the statement reads, reaffirming that the Church condemns “any action that destroys our environment.”The local Church’s statement also cites the Supreme Court ruling in Oposa v. Factoran (1993), which affirms the responsibility of each generation to protect the environment for future generations. “If we remain silent, our children and their children will suffer and hold us accountable for our actions,” the text reads, urging believers to “remain united in the protection of creation.” “Let us choose life, justice, and preservation,” the letter reads, calling the community to “witness the beauty of God’s creation.”The Abra Province in the Cordillera region of Luzon island is known for its rich biodiversity, its watersheds, and extensive forests inhabited by indigenous groups, primarily the Tinguiann, who had settled in these areas more than 500 years ago before Spanish colonization. In the 1970s, the first conflict began over the use of these peoples’ resources and livelihoods. Private companies, promoted by then-President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., sought to maximize the use of the Cordillera’s virgin forests for the country’s economic development and carried out massive deforestation for timber. These projects had a significant impact on the local indigenous groups, who relied on subsistence farming, hunting in the forests, and fishing in lakes and rivers. These tribal groups have their own dialect, cultural traditions, and social systems: nature and the ecosystem are an integral part of their lives, which would have been completely destroyed if they had done so. At that time, an “active resistance” of the local community began to defend “the rights to the land of their ancestors,” which also took the form of armed struggle. Catholic priests also sided with the Tinguiann and other tribal groups, denouncing the oppression and corruption of the state. In 1986—after the end of the Marcos era—these projects were abandoned.In the following years, the issue of deforestation remained a constant concern for the Cordillera region. Thus, the “Cordillera Peoples Alliance” (CPA) was formed, a network of actors and organizations, including Catholic communities and their representatives, to protect the forest in the region, which is considered a valuable heritage and “common home,” to small or large projects to convert the area for agricultural, residential, and commercial purposes. In this context, the local Church has consistently emphasized that Christian action includes prayer and concrete actions rooted in compassion and respect for life. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 22/8/2025)
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