Urging the immediate cessation of mining activities across the entire island of Samar, the Diocese of Borongan spearheaded a prayer rally on Saturday, January 20.
In a report by Rappler, Bishop Varquez, in his homily, urged attendees to be vigilant about environmental issues, emphasizing the global impact of local actions. Quoting Pope Francis’s encyclical, Laudato Si, he emphasized the need for a profound interior conversion in the face of the ecological crisis.
The Diocese of Borongan has been vocal about concerns regarding mining operations on Homonhon Island in Eastern Samar. Last year, Bishop Varquez called on the government to address the impact of mineral extraction on the environment and local communities.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has granted Mineral Production Sharing Agreements for mining companies in Homonhon and Manicani Islands, including Chromiteking, Techiron Resources, Nickelace, Verrum Terra Geoscience, Global Min-Met Resources, Emir Mineral Resources, and Hinatuan Mining.
Carmi Macapogao from Homonhon Environmental Advocates and Rights Defenders (HEARD) expressed optimism about the rally gaining attention from government agencies. Macapogao highlighted the lack of proper information dissemination by mining companies and the adverse effects on the community, including dust and noise pollution.
Guiuananon participant Jaerim Sison Tumanda stressed the importance of the issue, not as a binary pro- or anti-mining stance but as a call for sustainable practices that consider both nature and workers.
Mario Ian Mosquesa, representing the private sector at the Regional Development Council of Eastern Visayas, commended the dioceses’ efforts to raise awareness about mining issues in Manicani and Homonhon and stressed the potential implications for the entire Samar Island.
The call for an end to mining activities continues to gather support, shedding light on concerns that extend beyond individual islands to the broader mineralized areas of Samar.
