Caritas Philippines criticizes Maharlika Corp's Kalinga mining investment

Caritas Philippines, the social action arm of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), has criticized the Maharlika Investment Corporation's $76.4-million investment in a mining company in Kalinga province.

The organization stated that this decision contradicts the fund’s purpose to promote economic growth while threatening communities and undermining responsible stewardship, with Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo emphasizing that such projects betray public trust by supporting extractive activities linked to displacement, deforestation, and human rights abuses.

Caritas Philippines highlighted the negative social and environmental impacts of large-scale mining, including loss of indigenous lands and contaminated water sources.

San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza questioned how economic progress can be claimed when funding an industry that destroys natural resources, urging the government to prioritize sustainable development over extractive projects.

The investment will fund a feasibility study, road development, and training programs for the Balatoc Indigenous Cultural Community; however, Caritas Philippines remains critical of these efforts given their potential negative impacts on communities and the environment.