Church leaders in the Philippines have hailed the Palawan provincial government’s landmark 50-year mining moratorium as a crucial step in protecting the island’s fragile ecosystem, but they warn that vigilance is needed to ensure its full enforcement.

The Palawan Provincial Board unanimously passed the ordinance on February 5, barring all new large- and small-scale mining applications, including exploration permits and mineral agreements, in the biodiverse province known as “the last ecological frontier.”

Bishop Socrates Mesiona of the Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Princesa welcomed the ordinance but cautioned that it is only the first step toward long-term environmental protection.

The prelate urged the public to “be vigilant about the full implementation of the moratorium.” He said the ordinance “is very timely as we celebrate the Jubilee Year of Hope.” 

As the local and national elections draw near, he urged Filipinos to prioritize candidates “who have a heart for the protection of our environment” when evaluating their qualities.

“I hope our people will be wise in choosing leaders; those who have a heart for the protection of our environment and track records that show they are sincere in their desire to serve,” he said. 

According to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, 16 mining companies currently possess approved mining tenements and contracts in Palawan. 

In a pastoral letter issued in December 2024, the bishops of Puerto Princesa and Taytay in Palawan sounded the alarm over the rising number of mining exploration permits in the province, now totaling more than 67 applications spanning over 200,000 hectares across Puerto Princesa and 13 other municipalities. 

Currently, 11 active mining operations occupy approximately 29,430 hectares of land in Palawan.

Bishop Broderick Pabillo of Taytay said the moratorium “will give us time to properly delineate the no-go zones for mining,” which, until now, have not been clearly defined.

The prelate emphasized that the moratorium provides an opportunity to assess whether existing mining operations comply with environmental regulations, particularly in rehabilitating areas affected by mining activities. 

“This moratorium also shows the concern and support of the people of Palawan to protect their province. Without mining, we can show that the province can be developed in a sustainable way by tourism and agriculture,” Bishop Pabillo told LiCAS.news

Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), said the news of the moratorium’s approval was met with celebration among Church leaders.

He commended the Apostolic Vicariates of Puerto Princesa and Taytay for their resolute stance against mining on the island and their proactive efforts to safeguard the environment from destructive extraction activities.

Cardinal David, however, emphasized that the credit for this victory belongs to the various sectors and communities that united in their efforts to oppose destructive mining activities and advocate for the protection of Palawan’s natural resources.

“We know that many people and sectors were instrumental in this landmark decision, the whole CBCP rejoices with the people of Palawan for this rare victory,” he said in a LiCAS.news interview. 

Palawan is now among several provinces in the Philippines that have implemented mining bans. Capiz reinstated its 50-year moratorium in 2019, while Oriental Mindoro extended its prohibition for another 25 years, set to take effect in 2027. Marinduque, on the other hand, has maintained its mining moratorium since 2005.

In 2012, former President Benigno Aquino III halted the issuance of new mining permits, a policy that was later overturned by President Rodrigo Duterte in 2021. 

In the same year, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources lifted a four-year ban on open-pit mining, further reshaping the country’s mining landscape.