Environmentalist Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes
Sorsogon Prelate Calls for Total Mining Ban
Bastes hits Sorsogon governor for protecting mining at Matnog
MANILA, Jan. 18, 2011—Echoing the call of some Church officials for a total log ban, Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes, SVD said he also wants a total mining ban implemented to halt the environmental destruction happening in the country.
“I am not only in favor of total log ban but [also] a total mining ban to preserve the environment,” he said.
In an interview over Radio Veritas, the 66-year old prelate expressed worry on the effect of heavy rains on residences in low-lying areas where floods and landslides have occurred the past few days.
The bishop said he may bring the logging and mining issues for discussion at the upcoming plenary assembly of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines’ last week of January.
He expressed satisfaction though that their congressman remains supportive of their advocacy to put a stop to mining in the province.
However, the prelate said he still has to hear a word from the incumbent provincial governor regarding his stand on mining in Matnog town.
“Our governor is even a protector of mining in Balucawe, Matnog town,” Bastes said.
Reports say mining brings trillions of pesos to the economy but people from areas where natural resources are extracted have remained dirt-poor. (MA/CBCPNews)
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