CATARMAN CITY, Northern Samar—Three bishops, representing the three dioceses of Samar island, are urging the Commission on Appointments (CA) to confirm an antimining advocate as secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
In a resolution read and approved during the assembly of Samar Island Partnership for Peace and Development (SIPPAD) held on March 9 in this provincial capital of Northern Samar, the three bishops, acting as conveners of the assembly, called on the CA “to confirm the appointment of Secretary Regina Paz L. Lopez as secretary of the DENR”.
The resolution was endorsed and signed by bishops Isabelo Abarquez of the Diocese of Calbayog, Crispin Varquez of the Diocese of Borongan and Emmanuel Trance of Diocese of Catarman. Copies of the resolution would be furnished to all members of the CA.
The resolution said SIPPAD, for the last 11 years, “has been steadfastly protecting the environment of Samar Island, and has passed numerous resolutions for the passage of the Samar Island Natural Park, resolutions against logging and destructive mining on the island of Samar.”
The bishops noted in the past few months, the newly appointed DENR secretary “has responded to the call of the people of the Island of Samar, especially the communities affected by mining and logging.”
Rebecca Destajo, spokesman of Protect Manicani Society, welcomed the SIPPAD resolution.
“We look up to Gina Lopez for her strong resolve in protecting the environment and the people in the communities where mining areas operate,” she said.
Even before Lopez was appointed to the government, she visited Manicani to support the residents who were protesting the mining, operations, she said. “She saw firsthand the problems we are facing because of this mining, like drying up of our water sources and the disintegration of many families.”
“No matter how big the government earns from mining, it will not match the huge loss of resources it causes, like the lack of potable water,” Destajo said. “Manicani is a small island; it is prone to negative effects caused by any disturbance on the environment.”
Other participants of SIPPAD assembly welcomed the resolution proposed by the bishops. SIPPAD is an assembly of the people of Samar Island from different sectors, including the church, local government units, government agencies, civil-society organizations, academic institutions, they youth, women and other sectors. The three bishops are the converners of SIPPAD.