The southern Philippine island of Mindanao is home to an abundance of natural resources, chief among them are forests and aquatic resources that sustain and nourish ecosystems. But big agricultural developments and large-scale mining activities have resulted in land dispossession of indigenous communities, violence and environmental degradation.
These challenges set the stage for the environmental summit organised by the Ateneo de Davao University, one of three Jesuit universities on the island, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Titled Oya Mindanaw! State of Mindanao Environment Day, the summit included the participation of no less than President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the first president from Mindanao island.
President Duterte spoke at Kasaulogan sa Kinaiyahan, one of the environmental protection and conservation activities organised as part of the summit that was held in Davao City on August 4.
“Let us take care of our nation, we only have one,” President Duterte told the 4,000 students and several civil society group members in attendance. “An island as fragile as Mindanao [when you abuse it] there will never be a tomorrow for our children.”
The president is a strong supporter of the mining ban in Davao, and has lauded the members of the city council for coming up with a resolution that effectively legislated the ban.
DENR Secretary Regina Lopez also engaged in dialogue with different stakeholders and indigenous communities in Mindanao during the summit. Speaking out on the importance of social justice in the region, she said, “My commitment for Mindanao is social justice. The definition of social justice is that the resources of Mindanao must necessarily be enjoyed by the people of Mindanao.”
Secretary Lopez has already suspended mining companies that do not comply with environmental safety standards, in consonance with Ateneo de Davao’s advocacy on defending the integrity of creation and protecting our common home.
Ateneo de Davao President Fr Joel Tabora SJ has said that “as a Jesuit university we are to serve the faith, promote justice … and preserve and protect the environment.”
As stated in the Promotio Iustitiae: The Promotion of Justice in the Universities of the Society, as part of the principle in promoting the common good, justice enables students to contribute to the “proper governance of public affairs and the appropriate formulation of laws.”
Promotio Iustitiae also stated that universities establish bridges of dialogue between faith and the cultures where they operate, and collaborate with God’s action in the world with their generosity and creativity.
This Ateneo de Davao University is doing by participating in the strategic planning workshop regarding the DENR plans for members and representatives of different civil society groups at the Davao Convention Center.
With a president from Davao City, Ateneo de Davao University has a vital role in promoting social justice through consensus building and being one of the venues for critical collaboration with the Philippine’s new administration.
Watch this video of the State of Mindanao Environment: