Cebu: The Archdiocese of Cebu has appealed to the public including government officials, the private sector, and the faithful, to do their share in protecting the environment amid the recent floods in the province. In a Pastoral Appeal, Archbishop Alberto Uy asked the people to respect the environment and for everyone to work together, noting that everything is connected.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Archbishop emphasized the interconnectedness of caring for creation and protecting human life. 'The recent floods remind us that everything is connected. When we care for creation, we protect human life. When we protect human life, we honor the Creator,' he said in an article posted on the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines news website on Monday. Uy urged for collective efforts to ensure future generations inherit not only a prosperous Cebu but also a safer, greener, and more compassionate one.
Progress is commendable, Uy noted, but it should be aligned with the care of God's creation. He appealed to government officials, developers, business owners, and landowners to ensure that economic progress does not compromise the environment. 'Development must always respect creation and protect human life. Sustainable development is not an obstacle to growth; it is the only path to lasting progress,' he stated.
The Archbishop urged government leaders to prioritize long-term flood mitigation over short-term solutions, emphasizing the protection of watersheds, preservation of forests, and restoration of rivers. He called for improved drainage systems, strict enforcement of environmental laws, and competent, transparent, and integrity-driven implementation of flood-control projects. Uy stressed that public funds intended for protecting lives must not be compromised by corruption or poor planning.
To developers and landowners, Uy advised that projects should be guided by responsibility as well as profitability. He called for avoiding construction in flood-prone areas without proper safeguards, preserving natural waterways, providing green spaces and water-retention areas, and complying with environmental regulations. 'Progress that destroys creation is not genuine progress,' he remarked.
The business community was invited to become partners in building a resilient Cebu by investing in environmentally responsible practices, reducing plastic waste, supporting tree-growing and river rehabilitation projects, and helping communities prepare for future disasters through corporate social responsibility initiatives.
Finally, Uy reminded the people of Cebu that environmental care is primarily the responsibility of its citizens, not just the government. He called on every Cebuano to engage in proper waste disposal, reduce plastic use, keep canals and rivers clean, plant and care for trees, conserve water, and choose honest and competent leaders.
