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‘We cannot deny that this is part of the relentless destruction of the mountains here,’ says Legazpi Bishop Joel Baylon
MANILA, Philippines – Legazpi Bishop Joel Baylon blamed the destruction of nature for the “worst flooding” that the province of Albay, covered by his diocese, has experienced in the past 30 years.
Located in Bicol, Albay is one of the provinces worst hit by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (Trami), the Philippines’ 11th tropical cyclone this year. More than 224,000 persons have been affected by Kristine in Albay, out of a total of 1.67 million affected people in Bicol as of Thursday morning, October 24.
“In the last 30 years, this is the worst flooding that we have experienced in Albay,” Baylon said in an interview with Radio Veritas, appealing for prayers and aid for flood victims.
Baylon attributed the floods in Albay to quarrying and other environmentally destructive activities.
“We cannot deny that this is part of the relentless destruction of the mountains here, the quarrying, and the construction of roads through the irresponsible digging of land. That is why there are no more trees whose roots can keep the land stable despite heavy rain,” the bishop explained in Filipino.
A 10-hour drive away from the capital Manila, Albay is a resource-rich province of 1.37 million people that has faced environmental problems in recent years.
In January, Albay Governor Edcel Greco Lagman ordered a probe into illegal quarrying in the province.
The Diocese of Legazpi, led by Baylon, has consistently sounded the alarm on the destruction of nature.
In a pastoral letter in September 2023, Baylon said Albay has “strayed from the path of stewardship due to the irresponsible quarrying practices, the devastation of our mountains, the lingering issues of deforestation, the relentless garbage problems, the ever-expanding fish pens, and the possibility of dockyards for ships that are used for mining, which would cause water and air pollution.”
“Let us not forget that the cry of the earth is intertwined with the cry of the poor, the vulnerable, and those marginalized by society,” said Baylon.
“By neglecting the cry of the earth, we also prolong the suffering of our brethren. We will be responsible before this before God,” he added. – Rappler.com
