Business · Philippines Bureau
Borongan diocese urges faithful to oppose destructive mining practices
Thirteen years after Super Typhoon Yolanda devastated the Visayas region, the Diocese of Borongan has called on Catholics to reject destructive mining operations, arguing that commemoration alone is insufficient without concrete action.
LSN Philippines ·
The Diocese of Borongan issued its appeal on Sunday, marking over a decade since Super Typhoon Yolanda, known internationally as Typhoon Haiyan, struck parts of the Visayas in November 2013, resulting in significant loss of life and widespread destruction.
In its statement, church leadership emphasized that remembering the catastrophic impact of the typhoon must extend beyond symbolic commemoration. The diocese linked environmental degradation from mining operations to broader concerns about community vulnerability and disaster resilience in the region.
The Diocese of Borongan's position reflects growing advocacy among religious institutions in the Philippines regarding mining's environmental and social impacts. The church has positioned itself as a voice urging parishioners and communities to actively oppose what it characterizes as destructive extractive practices.
The message comes as the nation continues to grapple with balancing economic development and environmental protection, with particular concern about how environmental degradation may compound risks in typhoon-prone areas of the country.