ENVIRONMENTAL advocate, Power for People Coalition (P4P) has demanded President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to act on climate change as it compels an urgent action that must be based on community-led solutions around the world.
During his first State of the Nation Address (SONA), the advocates even cited the absence of clear climate and environment programs that his administration will implement.
Carrying wind pinwheels and a kariton symbolizing burdens suffered by consumers amid rising energy prices and cost of living, groups rallied for solutions and a swift energy transition on the day of the new president's first SONA.
With protests, the groups have demanded the Marcos government immediately act on rising energy prices and cost of living to put on soaring prices, human rights, and other national issues.
The demonstrators also said that Marcos Jr. will face the mammoth tasks of protecting the environment and its defenders and responding to the climate crisis during a crucial period that will determine who survives and prevails.
He cannot say that renewable energy is his top agenda when he is peddling nuclear and natural gas, both of which are not clean sources of energy, not to mention the environmental risks and hazards that come with it.” said Gerry Arances, convener of the group.
They urged Marcos to follow through with his plans, as he explains how this statement is a gift to fossil fuel companies and further endangers lives and communities as people experience the devastation of the climate crisis.
The environmental groups said environmental justice serves as a lens through which social justice principles can be incorporated into the realm of fair sustainability.
Arances said in Marcos’ SONA, that he tackled the need to build more power plants and look for other sources to address the growing energy demand. He then recommended revisiting nuclear power plants as an alternative to energy under his term.
“Marcos reiterated his earlier position that it is time to re-examine the government’s strategy towards building nuclear power plants in the Philippines,” said Arances.
According to Marcos that the use of renewable energy is at the top of our climate agenda,” but also said that gas remains necessary for the transition, calling for the development of new power plants and the use of natural gas as another energy source alongside renewables.
Arances said that President Marcos’ energy plans are at odds with what he promises.
In the group’s statement, it said Marcos, Jr.’s efforts to promote and support the rights of climate and environmental defenders will dictate the progress of the climate movement in the country.
We’ve always believed that a vibrant democracy is a key to addressing the climate crisis but protecting the human rights of climate and environmental defenders remains a grave concern, they said.
The Philippines was reported to be the third-deadliest country for environmental defenders in the world in 2020, according to the international watchdog Global Witness.
“Marcos, Jr. has made it hard to assess his stance on this very important issue.
“It’s disappointing to hear him talk about incentives and bills for gas and action points for nuclear but no actual plans for renewable energy,” said Arances.
Arances added, that “the more we rely on fossil fuels, the more consumers suffer during times of high prices in the world market, as we are experiencing now.”
