Palawan bishops call for 25-year mining ban to protect environment

Bishops in Palawan have called for a 25-year ban on mining in the province, citing severe deforestation and environmental damage. This request was made in a pastoral letter read during Sunday Masses, urging public support for a petition to government officials. The letter highlights alarming deforestation statistics, including recent permits allowing the cutting of thousands of trees for mining. The bishops noted that 67 new mining applications threaten over 200,000 hectares of land, which could lead to significant loss of Palawan's natural resources. Governor Victorino Dennis Socrates confirmed that a proposed ordinance for the mining moratorium is under review. He expressed concerns about weak enforcement of regulations and emphasized the need to protect Palawan's environment from further mining activities.