Virac Diocese calls for mining halt in Catanduanes

LEGAZPI CITY — The Diocese of Virac has formally called for a suspension of mining projects across Catanduanes province, warning that ongoing operations pose significant risks to residents and the local environment. In a pastoral letter released on October 14, Bishop Luisito A. Occiano urged government authorities to halt or suspend mining activities across the island province.

The bishop's statement outlined multiple concerns stemming from mining operations, including threats to human safety, contamination of water sources, and degradation of the natural environment. The diocese also emphasized the potential impact on the livelihoods of Catanduanes residents, many of whom depend on agriculture and fishing.

The pastoral letter represents the church's formal intervention in ongoing debates over resource extraction in the province. Mining operations have been a contentious issue in Catanduanes, with environmental and community groups expressing concerns about sustainability and long-term ecological consequences.

The call for a moratorium comes as local government officials and environmental advocates continue to weigh the economic benefits of mining against potential environmental and social costs to the island community.

Photo: The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Virac, Catanduanes, February 2015. Joelaldor via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).