Philippines: No short-term economic gains for
long-term ecological losses
Philippines: No short-term economic gains for
long-term ecological losses [Bishop Pacana]
MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews) – Government must not pursue short-term economic gains at the expense of long- term ecological losses, Malaybalay Bishop Honesto Pacana told around 300 participants attending the Bukidnon environment summit here. Pacana discussed the social responsibilities of the church on the environment, quoting the 1988 Pastoral Letter on Ecology of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), at the opening of the two-day summit organized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Thursday.
| "We ask the government not to pursue short-term economic gains at the expense of long-term ecological damage," Pacana said, quoting the 1988 pastoral letter on ecology of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). |  |
Pacana cited a proposal for government to group together into an independent department all the agencies which deal with ecological issues.
"This Department should promote an awareness of the fragility and limited carrying capacity of our islands' ecosystems and advocate measures designed to support ecologically sustainable development," he said.
"There is also a need to encourage research into the ecosystems of our land and the problems they face in the future. The proposed department should publish a state of the environment report for each region and for the country as a whole each year," he said.
Pacana said the proposed department needs legislative teeth to insure that its policies and programs are implemented. The bishop acknowledged in his presentation the important role NGOs play in developing a widespread ecological awareness. "They can also act as a watchdog to ensure that the government and those in public offices do not renege on their commitment to place this concern at the top of their list," he said.
Poisoning plants through chemicals, littering, deforestation, uncontrolled mining, unsafe potable water as among the Seven Deadly Social Sins based on an updated catechesis of the Catholic Church.
Pacana said religious groups are "increasingly focusing on (environmental) stewardship as a moral issue.”
Pacana delivered his presentation after Bukidnon Vice Gov. Alex Calingasan gave a situationer on Bukidnon’s environment. Aside from Pacana, three other priests attended the summit, including those heading the ecological desk and the social action center.
Most of the government and non-government organizations invited to the summit were present but key government officials from the province were notably absent.
Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri was not around even if some sources said the schedule of the summit was based on his availability.
Gov. Jose Ma. R. Zubiri Jr who spends his weekends in Manila was not present. Of the three congressmen, only Rep. Teofisto Guingona III sent a representative.
Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap and Environment Secretary Jose Atienza only sent representatives.
But Easterluna Canoy, head of the Kitanglad Integrated NGOs, said the summit was the biggest gathering of environment stakeholders in Bukidnon.
Six parallel sessions were held after the opening ceremonies including those on local governance, eco tourism and the role of indigenous peoples.
The six groups proposed at least 30 recommendations, which were reportedly used to draft the Bukidnon Declaration.
But time constraints prevented the signing of the proposed declaration with many participants wanting to react on some points.
Antonio Sumbalan, adviser to the organizing committee admitted to MindaNews there was no more time to refine the draft which was a product of some inputs from the recommendations and a pro-forma declaration prepared by the DENR regional office.
Participants were given two weeks to react to the draft before the declaration would be finalized.
"We want a genuine declaration that really came from all stakeholders," he said.
(Walter I. Balane/MindaNews)
30 June 2008