Ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), Greenpeace Philippines has called for the administration to act on its climate commitments.
The group stressed the importance of passing the Climate Accountability Law (CLIMA) to safeguard the future of Filipinos in the face of climate change.
The Philippines was recently selected to host the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Loss and Damage Fund (LDF) Board, a role that highlights the country’s ambition to lead in climate justice globally.
Greenpeace Campaigner Jefferson Chua noted that President Marcos’s commitment will be judged by his domestic policies and his stance in international forums in the upcoming months.
“Mr. Marcos must seek accountability from fossil fuel companies, make these climate polluters pay for loss and damage, call for and steer the country towards a full, fair, fast, and funded fossil fuel phase-out, and redirect the economy towards greener and more equitable systems,” he said.
Manuel “Ka Noli” Abinales, founder and president of Buklod Tao, Inc., shared how his community has suffered from climate impacts near the Nangka and Marikina Rivers.
He criticized the disproportionate profits of oil and gas companies compared to the suffering of vulnerable communities.
WR Numero Senior Researcher Cid Manalo presented survey results indicating that Filipinos are concerned about the impact of climate change on their communities. He criticized the lack of action from the government and global entities, calling for solutions that involve and consider the needs of affected communities.
“While vulnerable communities like us continue to suffer from climate impacts, oil and gas companies only get richer from their profits,” he said.
Virginia Benosa-Llorin, another Greenpeace Campaigner, said the government must prioritize climate justice, integrating human rights and corporate accountability.
She highlighted the need for quick enactment of the CLIMA Bill and initiating legal actions against major carbon emitters.
Greenpeace Philippines listed specific steps for the Marcos administration, including speeding up the CLIMA Bill, starting legal actions against carbon majors, reviewing harmful environmental MOUs, promoting a Climate Damages Tax, stopping nuclear and fossil gas projects, and supporting policies that promote economic reform focused on climate justice and community resilience.
These measures are essential for turning the administration’s climate rhetoric into effective action, according to Greenpeace Philippines.
