Save the Environment of Abra

An Urgent Call for Environmental Stewardship in Abra

Pastoral Statement of the Diocese of Bangued

Dear brothers and sisters in Abra, and all concerned government agencies,

The Church in the Diocese of Bangued stands united in defending the environment and the sanctity of God’s creation. We raise our voice on a pressing issue that endangers both the beauty of our land and the well-being of our people: the threat of large-scale mining in Licuan-Baay.
Yamang Mineral Corporation has obtained an Authority to Verify Minerals without securing the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent of the indigenous peoples. This is a violation not only of due process but also of their fundamental rights and dignity. Such disregard for law and community raises deep concerns about credibility, respect, and justice.
The threat is not limited to Licuan-Baay. The Malanas and Baay Rivers flow into the Abra River-our lifeline. Mining will bring contamination, flooding, and destruction that will reach many municipalities. What harms one part of Abra harms us all.
St. John Paul II reminds us: “Man, made in the image of God, has a duty to care for the earth as the Creator’s gift-not to abuse it, but to develop it with respect for the good of all.” As stewards of creation, it is our moral and spiritual duty to protect the Earth for present and future generations.
Large-scale mining devastates the land, poisons our waters, endangers health, and destroys livelihoods. Its damage cannot be undone. Jesus Himself asks us: “What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?” (Mark 8:36). The short-term lure of profit can never outweigh the lasting value of clean rivers, fertile soil, healthy communities, and a living culture.
We say clearly: We condemn every action that destroys our environment.
We call upon all local government officials and government agencies to act with courage and integrity: enforce laws, protect natural resources, and defend the rights of our people. We urge every Abreño to stand firm in safeguarding creation.
As emphasized by the Supreme Court in Oposa v. Factoran (G.R. No. 101083 July 30, 1993): “Every generation has a responsibility to the next to preserve the rhythm and harmony of the environment for the full enjoyment of a balanced and healthful ecology… And the right to a balanced and healthful ecology carries with it the correlative duty to refrain from impairing the environment.”
If we remain silent, our children and their children will suffer and they will hold us accountable. But if we act together now, we can preserve Abra as a vibrant witness to the beauty of God’s creation. Let us be united in faith and in action. Let us choose life, justice, and stewardship. And may our collective “yes” to God’s gift of creation become the lasting legacy we pass on to future generations.

In faith and solidarity, The Bishop and Clergy of the Diocese of Bangued