Bishops Warn Clean Energy Shift Must Protect Indigenous Lands in Philippines
What happened
Bishops from Calapan and Cabanatuan issued a joint statement on October 14, 2026. They warned that the growing demand for critical minerals and the shift to cleaner energy must not lead to the displacement of indigenous communities or environmental destruction. The bishops called for genuine free, prior, and informed consent from indigenous groups in decisions affecting their lands and livelihoods.
From philstar.com
Why it matters
The statement highlights threats from extractive industries and large-scale infrastructure projects. It urges government agencies to enforce environmental safeguards and protect ancestral domains across the Philippines.
From philstar.com
Who's involved
- CalapanBishop Moises Cuevas is from Calapan and chairs the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Indigenous Peoples.
- CabanatuanBishop Prudencio Andaya Jr. is from Cabanatuan and issued the joint statement.
- PhilippinesThe Philippines is the country where the bishops urged government agencies to protect ancestral domains.
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The entities involved
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Calapan
city of the Philippines and capital of the province of Oriental Mindoro
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Cabanatuan
city of the Philippines in the province of Nueva Ecija