Philippine bishops warn green energy shift must respect indigenous rights

Philippine Catholic bishops warned that the transition to cleaner energy must not result in the displacement of indigenous communities, the destruction of their ancestral lands, or the violation of their rights.

In a joint statement released for the national celebration of Indigenous Peoples Sunday on Oct. 11, Bishop Moises Cuevas of Calapan, chairperson of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Episcopal Commission on Indigenous Peoples, and Bishop Prudencio Andaya Jr. of Cabanatuan addressed the growing demand for critical minerals. The bishops stated that a greener future cannot be built on injustice and called for genuine free, prior, and informed consent, environmental protection, and meaningful community participation in decisions affecting local lands and livelihoods.

The commission expressed concern that extractive industries and large-scale infrastructure projects could undermine watersheds, forests, and community well-being. The bishops noted that indigenous groups often face the worst effects of flooding, drought, and environmental damage. They urged government agencies to enforce environmental safeguards, protect ancestral domains, and ensure accountability in development projects.

The statement was issued during celebrations in Sitio Bacao, Palayan City, Nueva Ecija, alongside the Diocese of Cabanatuan and various indigenous apostolates.