Metro Manila, Philippines — Bishop Broderick Pabillo of Taytay has called reforestation “a big lie,” arguing that tree planting cannot replace forests that have stood for generations, as some 57,000 trees are set to be cut for a mining project in southern Palawan.
Pabillo made the remarks Tuesday, Sept. 2, during his homily at the opening Mass of the 2nd National Convention of the Conference of Major Superiors in the Philippines.
He urged religious leaders to speak out against environmental destruction and mobilize communities to protect forests.
“You can plant the trees, but you cannot replant the forest,” Pabillo said.
“That’s why the term reforestation is wrong. It’s a big lie,” he added.
The bishop criticized the government for allowing thousands of large trees to be cut in what he described as almost primeval forests to make way for mining operations.
He warned that continued environmental destruction would eventually affect communities, pointing to flooding and other disasters as consequences of neglecting nature.
Pabillo also linked environmental protection to the mission of religious communities, saying caring for creation is part of their Christian responsibility.
“Creation is part of His redemptive work,” Pabillo said. “So, as religious, we are committed to the care of creation.”
“We should make our leaders and our own people conscious of this, and encourage them to speak more on behalf of creation,” he remarked.
