MANILA, July 25, 2023 — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s second State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered yesterday highlights: “public infrastructure and in the capacity of our people through food, education, health, jobs, and social protection” as the administration’s top priority(1)”.

350 Pilipinas believe that these pronouncements on climate align with what scientists and climate activists have been advocating for all along: climate action necessitates fundamental system change.

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s speech addressed crucial points related to decarbonization and the energy transition, with a more detailed focus on the energy plan emphasizing the role of renewables in the energy mix, while mentioning oil and gas exploration.

Chuck Baclagon, 350.org’s Asia Finance Campaigner, said:
To gauge a country’s commitment to climate action, its energy policy details should be a paramount importance. To effectively transition towards decarbonizing our energy systems, and achieving grid parity between renewables and fossil-fuels the current administration should prioritize the following steps:

• Expand the Department of Energy’s coal moratorium to cover not only greenfield projects but also coal projects that are not yet operational. Additionally, establish a phase-out plan for existing operating coal power plants.
• Create a fair energy market by eliminating coal subsidies and instead focus on developing a diverse energy mix that utilizes our abundant solar, wind, and other indigenous renewable resources. This transition will result in more job opportunities, cleaner air, and sustainable energy without compromising the environment or community well-being.
• Implement mechanisms to decentralize our country’s energy architecture, tailored to suit our diverse geography. This will ensure improved energy access, greater control, and ownership for communities across the archipelago.

To end the Philippines’ risky and unnecessary reliance on fossil fuels, we need to take bolder steps towards sustainability, ensuring broader access and control for the people. This will help build climate solutions for a fair and equitable future.

Thousands of Filipinos including climate advocates marched to Quezon City as part of the United Peoples SONA Protest at Quezon City few hours before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s 2nd State of the Nation Address Photo: Nadia Cruz

Marcos also elaborated on the need to continue to improve our roads and transportation systems in key cities throughout the country, which focused on intermodal connectivity.

Fread De Mesa, coordinator for 350 Pilipinas said:

“Road connectivity is undeniably vital for enhancing our transport systems However, it is essential to underscore that such improvements must be complemented by policies and infrastructure that prioritize mass and active transport, as well as inclusive mobility.”

“These measures result in reduced emissions and uphold the fundamental right of freedom of movement for all individuals as urban development is crucial to decarbonization. Providing priority to these aspects, cities can improve accessibility, enhance the quality of life, and empower people to freely move within their communities. The ultimate objective should be to prioritize the movement of people over cars.” he added

Shifting to a low-carbon economy requires climate action that targets both national resilience and global mitigation goals, all while empowering communities with ownership of solutions to ensure success.

NOTE TO THE EDITOR

1. Full transcript of President Marcos Jr.’s speech https://pia.gov.ph/publications/2022/10/28/transcript-president-ferdinand-r-marcos-jrs-first-state-of-the-nation-address-speech-as-delivered

CONTACT

• Nadia Cruz, Media Officer 350 Pilipinas, [email protected]
• Chuck Baclagon, Finance Campaigner, 350.org, [email protected]
• Fread De Mesa, Coordinator, 350 Pilipinas [email protected]

ABOUT

350 Pilipinas is an advocacy organization that works for climate action based on the realities of science and grounded on the principles of justice. The organization’s main focus is to reduce the atmospheric CO2 level from 400 parts per million to below 350 parts per million by advocating for decarbonization efforts to lower carbon emissions and support community-led energy solutions for a new, just clean energy economy.

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