Bishop Calls Reforestation 'Big Lie' Amid 57,000 Tree Cutting in Palawan

A Catholic bishop has strongly criticized the planned cutting of approximately 57,000 old-growth trees in the southern Philippine province of Palawan for a mining project, calling reforestation efforts a "big lie." Bishop Broderick Pabillo of Taytay argued that planting trees cannot restore the value of a primeval forest and issued a warning against environmental destruction. Pabillo urged religious leaders to speak out against environmental destruction and mobilize communities to protect forests. "You can plant trees, but you cannot replant a forest," he stated. "That is why the term reforestation is wrong. It's a big lie." He criticized the government for allowing thousands of large trees to be cut from what he described as almost primeval forests for mining operations, emphasizing that "Creation is not just to be exploited, to be used, but also to be respected." He further warned that environmental destruction ultimately affects communities, citing floods and other disasters as consequences of neglecting nature. "God always forgives. Man, from time to time, we forgive. Creation never forgives. What we do to it will come back to us," he said. Pabillo also linked environmental protection to the mission of religious communities, stating that care for creation is part of their Christian responsibility. He encouraged religious superiors to use the "Season of Creation" to raise environmental awareness and urge communities to speak up for nature's protection. The bishop's remarks highlight the deep-seated conflict between economic development and environmental conservation in the Philippines. Palawan, in particular, is known for its rich biodiversity but faces significant environmental pressure from mining and tourism development. While the Philippine government often prioritizes economic growth, environmental groups and some religious leaders consistently raise concerns from a sustainable development perspective.