Greed and the unrelenting pursuit of power and wealth are fueling the destruction of Albay’s environment, says Bishop Joey Baylon of the Diocese of Legazpi, as the province reels from catastrophic flooding that displaced thousands.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Baylon didn’t mince words. “Let us regulate our greed because it is greed that is running the show,” he declared, emphasizing how selfish ambitions are endangering lives and devastating natural resources.
His statement comes as Albay struggles to recover from widespread floods that exposed vulnerabilities in infrastructure and governance.
The diocese, echoing the bishop’s concerns, issued an open letter urging the Marcos administration to launch an investigation into the “uncontrolled” quarrying activities and other environmental abuses that have worsened the region’s plight.
The letter also pointed fingers at “seemingly substandard infrastructure and the misuse of public funds,” which it claims exacerbated the damage caused by recent typhoons.
“Somebody has to be made responsible,” Baylon urged. “If nobody is responsible, everybody suffers. We need answers, and we need them now.”
The bishop didn’t stop at calling out officials; he also appealed to ordinary citizens to stand united in demanding accountability and action.
“Hopefully, we can build a massive movement of Albayanons saying, ‘enough,’” he said passionately. “There are better ways to address our challenges if we work together. The government should be our ally, not an obstacle.”
Baylon ended on a hopeful note, calling for a collective resolve to push for change. “Let us walk together and make our hope realized—with the help of God. Hope is not passive; it’s something we build together.”
His plea resonates in a province seeking both immediate relief and long-term solutions. Whether the government and the people will rise to the challenge remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the fight for Albay’s future has begun.
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