People should look at the consequences of mining in their areas, advised Bishop Sergio Utleg of Laoag yesterday .

He told a forum on Wednesday to think of the effects of mining instead of its short-term economic benefits.

Data from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) show that of the 23 municipalities and cities of Ilocos Norte province, only the towns of San Nicolas and Sarrat have no mining applications or mining operations.

“If you can mine without depleting our source of income, then so be it,” the bishop said. But he warned local officials to be wary of the offers of mining companies.

Bishop Utleg said people are stewards of nature. “We should take care of the environment, a gift from God. We should fight for our rights to live and decide for our lives.”

Provincial governor Imee Marcos said there must be a “clean and green development policy” and a pragmatic approach to enlighten people of the pros and cons of mining, after a Chinese business group expressed interest in investing in the area.

She said the Chinese group also wants to cooperate in the promotion of tourism, infrastructure development, education and technology exchange.

Donna Rabang-Peta of the Stop Exploitation Movement said people of the province have no reason to exploit their mineral resources because the province is “food sufficient.”

Tribal people who attended the symposium also expressed their opposition to mining activities.

“Mining is not a solution to poverty,” said Carmelita Abnasan, a local wine producer. “We simply have to work hard and take advantage of what our natural resources can offer to us by not necessarily cutting down trees and polluting our rivers and rice fields.”