Church backs Lopez confirmation
The humanitarian arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has expressed support for embattled Environment Secretary Gina Lopez as she faces the Commission on Appointments (COA) for her confirmation this week.
In a statement yesterday, the CBCP National Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA) or Caritas Philippines said Lopez has so far been effective in her duties and has shown profound understanding of integral and holistic approach to resource conservation and environmental management.
Last week, Lopez alleged that congressmen were offered P50 million to vote against her confirmation after she ordered the closure of 23 mines and the scrapping of 75 mining contracts affecting watershed areas.
Lopez believes that her decision could affect her confirmation of appointment “because I know that mining funds political campaigns.”
NASSA said Lopez “has introduced stronger biodiversity protection programs, increased emphasis and support for more sustainable projects like community-based ecotourism, and strengthened interagency collaboration towards clean air, clean water and transformative climate change policies – all within the framework of genuine partnership with environmental NGOs, church, academe, youth, farmers and fisherfolk.”
“She has courageously enforced the country’s environmental laws, often at great personal risk, not for ambition but for unwavering principle and commitment to the Filipino people.
“She revoked a number of deeply flawed extractive operations that already caused great suffering to poor communities. As a result, the pressure to block her appointment and remove her from office has been mounting,” it added.
NASSA also lamented that her efforts to protect the environment have earned the ire of mining firms and other sectors whose profits are affected by her proenvironment policies.
“It is in this light that we implore President Rodrigo Duterte to stand by his decision to appoint an environmental champion who has genuine care for the people and the environment,” NASSA said.
The CBCP body called on COA to “protect the poor from further exploitation by putting the right person in the (DENR) who can force the industry to do things differently and responsibly.”
NASSA believes that the confirmation of appointment of Lopez would “end the destructive practices and herald the beginning of more sustainable ways of utilizing our natural resources.”
Lopez is scheduled to face the COA committee on environment and natural resources on March 1 for a confirmation hearing.
On Saturday, Lopez’s first visit to Butuan City in Caraga region was marred by protest from pro-mining groups. Lopez was set to deliver a speech and conduct consultation at the Balanghai Hotel and Convention Center in Butuan City.
Some of the protesters are claiming to be lumads, while the rest are reportedly from mining areas in the provinces of Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands and Agusan provinces.
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