MANILA (UCAN): Bishop Socrates Mesiona of the Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Princesa in Palawan, the Philippines, urged people not to let the hardships brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic [SARS-CoV-2] tempt them to resort to illegal logging or mining.
“We must carry out tangible conservation efforts for the sake of future generations. We should be responsible enough to protect our terrestrial and marine resources,” Bishop Mesiona said in a September 24 pastoral letter to mark this year’s Season of Creation.
However, some locals say they may not have any choice.
“Where will we get food and an income? There aren’t enough jobs for everyone, not to mention the lockdowns that have imprisoned us here in our community,” said one person, who requested anonymity.
“Currently there is no source of income here but nature,” they said.
Bishop Mesiona observed that, although life has been made difficult by the pandemic, efforts to alleviate poverty must not be at the expense of the environment.
“The crisis we are facing right now is due to the pandemic. All of us must find ways to mitigate every circumstance. But should it really be at the expense of our common home?” he asked.
“Economic gains cannot outweigh anything that endangers the life of nature and the very life of our people in general,” the bishop stressed.
The bishop issued the appeal following reports from an indigenous group, called the Pala’wan, that hundreds of trees were illegally cut by a quarrying firm in the southern part of the island despite opposition from activists and Church leaders. They claimed the firm did not have the necessary government permits.
