MORE than 1,000 students, advocates, and community leaders united at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University regarding a singular, urgent demand: Local officials must declare a climate emergency.
Held on Nov. 28 at the Salvador Campus, the massive assembly moved beyond a standard forum, transforming into a rally for integrity and environmental accountability. Organized by the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice-Zamboanga (PMCJ-Zamboanga) and partner groups, the event highlighted the collision of poor governance and the environmental dangers posed by local coal and fossil gas projects.
Sharmaine Anudin-Bair, a campaigner for PMCJ-Zamboanga, issued a challenge to policymakers, demanding they take responsibility for the industries operating within the city.
“Coal and fossil gas facilities are major contributors to climate change, releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide and methane,” Anudin-Bair said. “Those emissions worsen extreme weather events, threaten food security, endanger public health, and increase risks for already vulnerable communities.”
Anudin-Bair cited instances of environmental injustice and rights violations linked to fossil fuel projects, urging the community to push for the emergency declaration “before it is too late.” She emphasized that only immediate, collective action can protect Zamboanga City from escalating climate threats.
The forum also mobilized the city’s youth. Members of the Youth for Climate Justice-Zamboanga City chapter joined the call, asserting that the next generation will not stand for a lack of transparency in local climate governance.
Organizers noted the event served as a critical platform for dialogue, reaffirming that the community is ready to demand responsible leadership in the face of growing environmental challenges.
