Uy to Cebu officials: Examine your conscience

CEBU, Philippines — A strong moral message was echoed through the Cebu provincial government’s Climate Action Summit as Archbishop Alberto Uy called on government officials and business leaders, warning that every permit signed and project approved carries real consequences for communities already grappling with worsening environmental damage.

Speaking before stakeholders gathered for the two-day summit, Uy framed the climate crisis not merely as a policy or technical issue but as a moral responsibility tied to leadership and accountability.

“To our leaders and public officials, I say this with respect but also with urgency, give time to examine your conscience—every permit you sign, every project you approve, every law you implement or ignore has consequences.”

Uy emphasized that environmental degradation is deeply connected to human decisions, warning that its impacts are already being felt across Cebu.

“The cry of the earth, the cry of the poor and even the cry of future generations—these are not separate cries. They are one, and they are calling us not just to reflect but to act,” said the Archbishop.

He stressed that caring for the environment is a moral and spiritual obligation, not just a scientific or economic concern.

Anchoring his message on three foundations—faith, conscience, and action—the archbishop urged leaders to rethink how they approach development and governance.

From a faith perspective, Uy said the environment must be treated as a gift entrusted to humanity, not a resource to exploit.

“When we forget this, we begin to treat the Earth not as a gift but as an object… not something to protect but something to consume,” he said.

He cited ongoing environmental issues such as deforestation, destructive mining, pollution, and reclamation, noting that these practices have worsened flooding, displaced communities, and disrupted livelihoods.

Uy warned that society is becoming desensitized to environmental damage, normalizing disasters like flooding.

“What we are facing today is not only an ecological crisis—it is a crisis of conscience,” he said.

He pointed out that decisions driven by profit, corruption, and a lack of accountability contribute significantly to environmental harm.

“When businesses prioritize profits over people and the environment… when permits are manipulated… these are not just practical decisions—they are moral decisions,” Uy said.

Call for accountability

The archbishop underscored that leaders are accountable not only to the public but also to God.

“Every decision we make has consequences, and very often it is the poor who are most affected,” he said.

He challenged both officials and individuals to examine their roles, asking: “Am I responsible for my work? Am I mindful of what I consume? Am I courageous enough to stand for what is right?”

He also urged simple but collective actions such as reducing waste, conserving energy, and avoiding unnecessary consumption.

“We may say, ‘Gamaya ra man akong mahimo,’ but if millions say that, nothing changes. If millions act, everything changes,” he added.

Protect the vulnerable

Uy also highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change on marginalized sectors.

“Those who contribute the least are often the ones who suffer the most—the poor, farmers, fisherfolk, children and the elderly,” he said.

He emphasized that development should not come at the expense of people and communities.

The archbishop called for courageous leadership across sectors, including government, business, and the Church.

“Leadership today requires courage—courage to enforce laws, courage to resist corruption, and courage to think long-term,” he said.

He added that even the Church must lead by example through initiatives such as reducing plastic use, tree growing, and ecological education.

Concrete outcomes

The summit was initiated by the Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), wherein Ret. Col. Dennis Pastor noted that it is long overdue and must result in tangible actions, not just discussions.

“This is a long overdue topic to be discussed among all stakeholders,” Pastor said, noting the participation of government, academe, the private sector, and civil society.

He said recent flooding incidents, including those that led to deaths, underscore the urgency of collective action.

“It does not have to take us a death… to be discussing this,” he said.

Pastor stressed that worsening floods in Cebu should not be accepted as a way of life.

“Flooding is not normal. You have to solve this,” he said.

He noted that flooding in Cebu has become more severe in recent years, with last year’s incidents described as unprecedented.

The summit gathered participants from various sectors, which Pastor said is crucial in addressing complex climate challenges.

Discussions were divided into clusters, including science and data, urban planning, governance and policy, private sector engagement, and social equity.

He added that flooding issues transcend political boundaries, affecting multiple cities and municipalities.

While discussions are ongoing, Pastor said concrete commitments are expected following cluster presentations.

“You cannot just end up having this summit with nothing in terms of what to do,” he said.

Pastor described flooding as a complex issue involving both infrastructure and social behavior.

“We have to discipline people… even in our drainage, in our canals,” he said, pointing to improper waste disposal as a major contributor.

He stressed the need for long-term behavioral change, starting with education among children.

One collective action

Despite the challenges, Pastor expressed hope that the summit would spark broader public participation in addressing climate and flooding issues.

Meanwhile, Uy ended his message by reminding stakeholders that caring for the environment is not optional.

“It is a moral duty, a spiritual calling, and a concrete expression of our love for God and for one another,” he said. — Sandara Laurente and Ashley Chad Jopia, CTU-Tuburan Interns/IHM