Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ), a nationwide
climate justice coalition expressed its appreciation for the latest Climate
Change Commission resolution calling for the review of the Philippine energy
policy and harmonization of regulation on new and existing coal plants “in
accordance with a low carbon development pathway. “
"This resolution is
consistent with the Philippine commitment to contribute to the global effort to
keep temperature to below 1.5 degrees, and a significant development in the
face of the long standing demand by many communities and peoples’ organizations
in the Philippines to shift away from coal energy,” commented Ian Rivera, the
National Coordinator of the broadest climate justice coalition in the
Philippines.
The Philippines led the
Climate Vulnerable Forum, a group of governments from 20 countries, in
successfully pushing for the inclusion in the Paris climate agreement of the
aspirational goal to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
“The urgency of addressing
the climate crisis is deeply felt by our people, having experienced massive
devastation from extreme weather events related to climate change, such as
super typhoons and super-El Niño. It is only right that we lead in the effort
to address change – not only in words but in action” said Mr. Rivera.
“We hope this resolution will actually lead to the reversal of the Aquino
government’s policy of expansion of coal energy, and a swift transition to
renewable and clean energy for people and communities,” he added.
"This resolution is long
overdue. We have been fighting against coal plants and coal mines for a
long time, being witness to the horrific effects of coal projects on
communities, on people’s health and livelihoods, on our local environment. We
are also against coal energy because it is one of the leading contributors to
climate change" said Mr. Roldan Gonzales, Executive Director of Gitib,
Inc., and a PMCJ campaigner from the Mindanao.
“We challenge President-elect
Duterte to take this further, beyond a review, and make it a priority of
Presidency to issue an Executive Order suspending plans, permits and
construction of new power plants in the country. Mindanao is host to many
of the 27 new coal fired power plants currently in the pipeline”.
Ms. Pines Arcega, convenor of
Defend Zambales and a PMCJ anti-coal campaigner in one of the frontline
communities from Luzon, echoed this challenge. “A review of energy policy
and harmonization of regulations on new and existing coal plants is not
enough. Our communities, our country, have suffered enough. Government
should act immediately to put a stop to dirty energy. We need an
executive order for a moratorium on new coal plans and coal mines in place in
the first 100 days of the new administration.
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