08/11/2022
Just a few days ago, typhoon Paeng killed at least 154 Filipinos. But one death is too many.
Every year, at least 20 or more typhoons or super typhoons visit the Philippines, devastating Filipinos. Some had to do the grueling task of recovering again and again. We shouldn’t be counting dead bodies and burying friends and families every time a typhoon comes by the Philippines. On this day, nine years ago, typhoon Yolanda internationally known as Haiyan ravaged the Eastern Visayas region, affecting 14 million people and leaving a record number of 6,300 deaths. It was by far the worst aftermath that the country had in recent history.
Simultaneously, there is a pressing need to decrease greenhouse gas emissions by 43% by 2030 to prevent global warming from increasing more than 1.5 Celsius. However, despite knowing that the Philippines tops the list of countries that are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, our country is yet to make a valuable contribution to demand accountability and take responsibility in this crucial time of climate emergency. While President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the United Nations General Assembly focused on climate change and reiterated the historical injustice of climate issues and emissions and the need for the whole world to address the climate emergency, his administration is yet to concretize his words into action.
Rather than ensure clean energy by pushing for a genuine transition to renewable energy, President Marcos Jr. continues to push for adopting nuclear energy and developing fossil gas. These plans of keeping toxic emissions will only continue to harm the health of the communities and emit fumes that will soon accelerate climate change. Even though his administration has continued the moratorium on new coal-fired power plants, it still allows approved projects to operate despite knowing its impact on the environment and our communities. Filipinos shouldn’t only be an afterthought regarding essential decisions concerning their life, livelihood, and lifestyle. These actions from the government, if not a proof, are a manifestation of its priorities and concerns.
As we commemorate the devastation of Yolanda, we in DAKILA demand that President Marcos Jr. act as he says and stop the peddling of false solutions. The Philippines, as one of the most affected by the climate crisis, should take part in leading the call to demand developed countries take responsibility and admit accountability. The President, together with all the public servants who took oaths in service of the Filipino people, should always be behind the Filipino people every step of the way. Otherwise, all these promises are nothing but just lip service.
