True Stewardship

We are the pinnacle of creation, among all God’s creatures he put is in charge of all the animals and plants and natural resources. To preserve and protect definitely but also to make use of them in a responsible way. Anyone who is using a laptop or PC, cellphone or rides a car in short anyone who enjoys the convenience of a modern life can’t be anti-mining in the strictest sense because our modern way of life depends on mines and the minerals they produce.

It now becomes a question of proper usage of the resources that we have form the most green way of obtaining them in the first place to curbing our lifestyles so that we use only what we need.

I AGREE with the church that we, the whole human family have to control our use of material things, we have to evaluate just how much stuff does one person need? How many gadgets, appliances, clothes, cars and etc. That is the root of this materialism and consumerism which leads to an unchecked harvesting of natural resources. With the threat of global warming we really must be aware of the carbon footprint, that we as individuals and as nations, exert on our planet.

But it does not change the fact that for life to continue as we know it. Resources need to be used, minerals harvested and products made. It is a fact of life. Now what we can control is how to conduct these activities in a manner that is sustainable, responsible and least impactful carbon footprint-wise.

I believe that the Nickel Ore found in the mountains of Mindoro are a gift to the Mangyans, the people of Mindoro and the people of the Philippines. We are blessed in the same way that the Saudi’s were blessed with the gift of oil. Why else would God put it there?

Now as guardians of this gift, it is our responsibility to harvest it in a way that is environmentally sound. Which thanks to advances in TECHNOLOGY is now possible. It is also up to us to be vigilant as to how this mining is done over the next decades and how our politicians will handle the taxes and royalties that will be paid to Mindoro as an effect.

None of this will happen if we don’t want it. It is up to each and every one of us to open our hearts and minds to both sides of this issue. We must be careful in considering the pros and cons, the details of this project. We must keep a watchful eye on Intex and our leaders in how they proceed. We must pray that the Lord guide us in our every step towards this bright future that he is offering us.