The Bishop of Marbel in Mindanao, Philippines, has called on the faithful not to vote for politicians who back mining in next year’s mid-term elections, reports Ucanews.
“Do not vote for those who favour open-pit mining because they’re villains of the environment,” Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez said.
The prelate’s call comes a week after election season in the country began last week with the registration of candidates wanting to run for public office.
Bishop Gutierrez said Church workers and volunteers will be conducting a voter education drive in the diocese’s 25 parishes to “enlighten people about the evils of open-pit mines.”
The diocese covers South Cotatabo province where Sagittarius Mines, Inc. aims to start work on the largest undeveloped copper-gold reserve in Southeast Asia.
The $5.9-billion Tampakan Copper-Gold Project has been postponed to 2018 as a result of its inability to get an environmental permit and changes in the location of its infrastructure facilities.
FULL STORY Don’t vote for pro-mine candidates, Catholics told (Ucanews)