QUEZON CITY, 16 July 2022 — Environmental groups joined other various sectors of society at the National People’s Summit held today at the People’s Hall of Quezon Memorial Circle, contributing green demands actionable over the next 100 days addressed to the Marcos Jr. government.
In the People’s Summit’s 9-point summary of demands, the Marcos presidency was challenged to “ensure environmental protection, rehabilitation and balanced use of the country’s natural wealth, the conservation of the country’s natural resources and the full exercise of national sovereignty over these.”
This can be achieved, the Summit furthered, “by stopping the revival of the BNPP, stopping destructive open-pit mining operations and destructive reclamation projects, promoting marine biodiversity and sustainable livelihood for the people, protecting indigenous communities who are the stewards of the environment, and demanding loss and damage compensation from polluter nations and corporations for climate justice.”
Among the groups who joined the pre-summit consultations to contribute to the environmental agenda were 350 Pilipinas, AGHAM, Aksyon Klima, Ecowaste Coalition, Greenpeace Philippines, Institute for Nationalist Studies, International League of Peoples’ Struggle, Kalikasan PNE, Kilusang Mayo Uno, Pamalakaya, Panatang Luntian coalition, and the Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines (YACAP).
The green groups called on the government to demand just compensation for the damages caused by the world’s top polluter countries and carbon major companies, which have worsened the effects of ecological degradation and climate disruption suffered by the Filipino people. This must be redound to nature and people-based climate solutions through unconditional grant funding, technological development and transfer, and capacity-building from developed nations.
The Marcos-Duterte government was also challenged to institute an omnibus moratorium on destructive projects funded by foreign investment such as Kaliwa-Kanan Laiban Dam, Manila Bay Aerocity, New Clark City, large-scale mines such as the Oceanagold, Tampakan Copper-Gold, Sibuyan Nickel ming projects, and the Pasig River Expressway, among others.
The legislature under Marcos Jr. was also challenged to prioritize the People’s Green New Deal, a proposed economic stimulus plan for a just and green recovery that reflects the people’s agenda.
Mr. Marcos Jr., who has made big promises on pursuing renewable energy and combatting climate change, must recognize the need for urgent action to address these proposals for environmental and climate justice.#
Reference:
- Leon Dulce
Sectoral Co-Lead
People’s Summit Cluster on National Sovereignty and Foreign Policy