MANILA — An official of the humanitarian, development and advocacy arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has lauded the government for standing firm against open pit mining.
Fr. Edwin Gariguez, executive secretary of the National Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA)/Caritas Philippines’, said they support the move to stop the mining practice.
“We commend the president for taking a strong stand to protect the fragile environment and not to give in to pursue the business interest of the mining companies,” he said.
“The ban on open pit, we fully support that,” the Catholic priest added.
Early this week, President Rodrigo Duterte warned mining companies that he might declare a total ban on open pit mining next year.
In April last year, the government barred new open pit mines in the country as they destroy the soil and environment.
The Philippines is the top producers of nickel ore in the world. It is also one the biggest suppliers of gold and copper. (Ferdinand Patinio/PNA)
