By Chuck Baclagon

We join the mining-affected and threatened communities and environmental advocates in supporting the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Gina Lopez’s mining closure order and other environmental reform campaigns we also call for Lopez’s confirmation as Secretary at the Commission on Appointments.

We recognize the progressive outcomes of Lopez’s tenure as DENR Secretary,we believe that in such a short span of time decisions done under her watch on issues such as mining and coal are examples of what can be done if the government would lead in advancing sustainability.

We laud Secretary Gina Lopez for her passion and commitment to protect the environment. Her pronouncement to fast-track the approval of environment permits for renewable energy projects proves that she lives up to this government’s promise of change.

However, we feel that Lopez alone is not enough, as we need a government that puts people and the planet of profit. The current direction of the Department of Energy, that favours nuclear and coal threatens the gains of DENR’s pro-environment positions.

It is unfortunate that the current energy regime still subscribes to an outdated development paradigm that strives for quick and dirty fixes at the expense of people, ecosystems and the climate.

Coal has no place in the country’s energy mix. Vulnerable countries like the Philippines should lead in curbing emissions. We must keep global warming within 1.5 degrees Celsius for a fighting chance to survive, and this requires halting all new fossil fuel development now.

That’s why we are calling on both departments to stand with the people in pursuing an energy policy direction that seeks to keep fossil fuels in the ground. Should the construction of all coal plants in the pipeline push through, the Philippines would be locked into 20-40 years of coal dependence. Low carbon energy policy is the best indicator of a country’s seriousness in dealing with the climate crisis.