National Mining Conference (JPICC-AMRSP)

CBCP Monitor

February 18 - March 2, 2008

Vol. 12 No.4 / A8

by Pinky Barrientos

MORE than a hundred delegates representing various sectors participated in a two-day conference on mining held at Claret School of Quezon City last February 4-5.

Religious, lay and NGOs took part in the national mining conference on the theme "The Philippine Mining Revitalization Program: Its Impact to the Integrity of Creation and the Indigenous Peoples in the Philippines ."

The two-day meeting provided updates on the impact of the ongoing Mining Revitalization Program of the government. The conference also explored the possibility of networking among Religious and IPs in the local and national level.

Among the topics discussed were the effects of mining on the environment and on the lifestyle of the Indigenous People (IP). It also tackled the legal aspects of mining campaign and off-shore mining on Tanon Strait where oil exploration is being conducted. Also discussed was the Church's involvement against mining with religious taking the causes of tribal communities.

Religious conduct solidarity mission to areas of tribal communities where there are mining activities, according to Leo Tadena, documentation and information officer of JPICC. Those places where mining activities are done are called Sites of Struggle (SoS), he said.

A statement addressed to the 14th Congress and the Church was drafted at the conclusion of the conference. The delegates highlighted the call to become more responsive to the call of the Church to become responsible stewards of God's creation.

The Association of the Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines-Justice, Peace land Integrity of Creation Commission (AMRSP-JPICC) organized the forum in cooerdination with Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) and the Philippine Misereor Partnership-Mining Advocacy Campaign (PMP).