The Conference of Major Superiors in the Philippines (CMSP) has called on the government to be transparent about mining activities.

“We call for government transparency, meaningful public consultation, accountability, and protection of the common good, so that development does not come at the expense of people, ancestral domains, local communities, or creation,” said the CMSP.

The call was among the many appeals in the CMSP’s final statement following its recently concluded Second Convention, held in Zamboanga City from 1 to 5 September.

The organization of Catholic Church leaders said it hears “the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.”

“The climate crisis, biodiversity loss, pollution, destructive mining, and extraction call us to ecological conversion,” said the CMSP.

“Pax Silica and the growing demand for critical minerals raise legitimate concerns about sovereignty, transparency, natural resources, environmental protection, and affected communities,” it added.

Consultation sought

For its part, the CMSP said it will respond decisively to the climate crisis, resist destructive mining and extraction, and protect land, waters, biodiversity, marine life, and coastal ecosystems.

The CMSP declared that it will stand with communities affected by ecological destruction.

The organization said it will continue to demand transparency and consultation on critical minerals and natural resources.

It believes the government should declare a climate emergency to advance ecological conversion and the rights of nature.