Cebu Archdiocese Mobilizes Faithful for Environmental Stewardship After Landfill Tragedy
In a powerful response to the recent Binaliw landfill disaster in Cebu City, the Archdiocese of Cebu has issued a clarion call for all its religious institutions to champion environmental responsibility. Archbishop Alberto "Abet" Uy has directed parishes, schools, religious communities, and organizations under his jurisdiction to lead by example in demonstrating moral and spiritual duty toward creation.
Pastoral Appeal for Concrete Action
Through a pastoral appeal, Archbishop Uy emphasized practical steps that religious institutions must immediately implement. "Practice proper waste segregation. Avoid plastic in parish events. Teach environmental responsibility in catechism and classrooms. Show that faith and care for creation go together," the Archbishop declared. He further urged that "our churches be models of discipline and responsibility" in this critical endeavor.
Call to Cebuano Families
Beyond institutional measures, Archbishop Uy directly appealed to Cebuano Catholics to initiate change within their own households. He called for systematic garbage management through:
- Consistent waste segregation at source
- Reducing consumption of single-use plastics
- Reusing items whenever possible
- Composting biodegradable waste effectively
"These are small acts. But when done by thousands of families every day, they become powerful," Archbishop Uy emphasized, highlighting the collective impact of individual efforts.
Theological Foundation for Environmental Care
The Archbishop grounded his appeal in Christian theology, reminding the faithful of their fundamental role as stewards rather than owners of creation. "As Christians, we believe that creation is a gift from God entrusted to us. We are not owners of this earth. We are stewards," he stated unequivocally.
He connected irresponsible waste disposal directly to spiritual failure: "To throw garbage irresponsibly is not only bad citizenship. It is poor stewardship. It is forgetting that God entrusted this beautiful island of Cebu to our care. Caring for the environment is not optional for Christians. It is part of our faith."
Background: The Binaliw Landfill Tragedy
The Archdiocese's urgent call comes in the wake of the January 8 tragedy at the Binaliw landfill in Cebu City, where collapsing garbage piles crushed workers, resulting in multiple fatalities. This devastating incident has reignited demands for:
- Immediate shutdown of unsafe dumpsites and similar facilities
- Full enforcement of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act
- Systematic implementation of waste reduction strategies
- Proper segregation at source, recycling, and composting programs
Archbishop Uy concluded with a direct challenge to the Catholic community: "I humbly ask every Cebuano Catholic: Do not wait for the government to solve this problem for you. Be part of the solution." This represents one of the most comprehensive environmental mobilizations ever undertaken by the Cebu Archdiocese, positioning faith communities at the forefront of ecological advocacy.
