MANILA, January 10, 2010—Coming from one of the poorest ecclesial provinces in the country, Bishop Nereo P. Odchimar said the Catholic faithful through the Gagmayng Kristiyanong Katilingban (GKK or Basic Ecclesial Communities) have focused on the preservation of the environment.
In his first interview for CBCP Podcast (www.cbcpnews.com/podcast) since he assumed the presidency of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines last December 1, 2009, the 69-year old prelate said the GKK chapters in various parishes in the southern portion of the diocese are united in their efforts against illegal logging activities while parishioners in the northern portion are on guard against irresponsible mining practices.
“The Gagmayng Kristiyanong Katilingban members are also involved in the campaign for moral uplift of the residents,” he said.
Referring to their experience about two years ago when local government officials thought of sponsoring their own version of Bikini Open, the prelate said he conducted a survey through all the parish councils which resulted into their resounding opposition to the project.
“The people said the proposed project is out of place and out of taste so I issued a pastoral statement and the proponents had no other option but to forego their plans,” Odchimar said.
He explained that while strong throughout the Diocese of Tandag, the GKK depend on the pace in their respective parishes and the commitment of their parish priests.
“Some of our priests are very active in the campaign to curtail illegal logging activities,” he said. However, the prelate expressed dismay over some politicians who are involved in illegal logging activities.
“Logging trucks earlier impounded have been ordered released by more powerful persons,” he said.
The prelate also expressed concern over the encroachments made by mining companies into watersheds and irrigated farmlands in Carrascal, Madrid, Lanuza and Cantilan of Surigao del Sur.
It was learned the mining company operating in Carrascal though operating legally remains questionable because the Lumads say no proper FPIC (Free Prior and Informed Consent) from the indigenous people as provided in the Indigenous People’s Rights Act has been issue.
Cantilan residents have questioned the Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) of the mining operator and the reported violation of rights of indigenous people in the area.
“The problem is some local agencies and their personnel seem to be ‘lawyering’ for mining companies,” Bishop Odchimar said.
The new CBCP President said he personally went to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources central office in Quezon City to follow-up a complaint civil society filed in July 2009 but has remained un-acted until today.
He said the complaint they filed with the DENR hopes to have the Mineral Production Sharing Agreement cancelled due to gross violations.
According to the soft-spoken prelate, mining in Surigao del Sur has drawn much opposition from ordinary citizens, irrigators, farmers and civil society because it threatens the livelihood of people dependent on agriculture.
“The reason given for the unattended complaint was due to ‘thousands’ of other complaints filed with DENR,” Odchimar said.
Asked if he sees the possibility of the Church and government working together for the common good, the prelate said both the government and the Church have a common constituency.
“The people of Surigao del Sur are my parishioners and citizens of the Philippines,” he said.
“That is why I have been accused, unjustly for being a supporter of the President because whenever she would go there (Surigao del Sur), I will also be there in my capacity as head of the diocese and she being the President of the Philippines,” he explained.
He said he had to bring to President Arroyo’s attention the needs of the people, which he considers “giving the people what is due them.”
He noted that some quarters mistook his closeness with the chief executive as being a staunch pro-Arroyo bishop “as if I am guilty by association.”
He added there are many bishops who bat for their dioceses, lobbying the government in their advocacies against gambling and mining and a host of other issues.
Odchimar said his lobbying for the past three years resulted in the concreting of road linking his diocese with that of the Diocese of Surigao.
Asked if the Diocese of Tandag’s other concerns have been attended by the Arroyo administration, Odchimar said in the case mining he understands it is the brainchild and pet project of President Arroyo.
He said the government should “promote what is vital to the livelihood of the people in pursuit of the common good.” (Melo M. Acuña)
