PH marchers join Global Day of Action vs climate crisis

Environmental activists and civil society groups staged multiple rallies in Manila and other parts of the Philippines on Saturday to add their voices to the Global Day of Action for Climate Justice.

The rallies were launched as diplomats, policymakers, experts, and stakeholders gather in Dubai for the 28th Conference of Parties (COP28) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Protesters sounded the alarm that time is running out to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

The Philippine Movement for Climate Justice reported that over 1,000 rallyists converged at Elliptical Road and Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City "to call for a system change for climate justice."

The group also posted images of protest actions in Central Luzon, Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, and other areas across the country.

In a statement, the Power for People Coalition urged Philippine leaders to act decisively to avert a climate crisis.

It said that the Philippine government should follow the advice of Energy Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, head of the Philippine delegation to COP28, "to turn 'ambition into action,' and 'hesitation into decision,' when it comes to the climate crisis. This it can only do if it stops keeping its mouth shut on the dire consequences of continued fossil fuel dependence."

"Developed countries must make no mistake: peoples of vulnerable nations like the Philippines will not tire in reminding them of their responsibility to bear the costs of their pollution. Any effort from these countries to prolong the life of fossil fuels—coal, gas, and oil—through questionable technologies... or through hiding behind loopholes in decision languages will be vehemently rejected by Filipinos," the group added. — VDV, GMA Integrated News