KALIKASAN PEOPLE’S NETWORK FOR THE ENVIRONMENT & PHILIPPINE UPR WATCH
PRESS RELEASE
8 November 2023
Green groups stage protest on 10th anniversary of Typhoon Yolanda, call out gov’t for “criminal negligence”
Groups under the umbrella network of People’s Rising for Climate Justice Philippines (PRCJ-PH) held a protest at the Mendiola Peace Arch today commemorating the 10th year anniversary of the landfall of Typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan). The protesters, which included Yolanda survivors, called for justice for the victims of the typhoon, as well as recent climate change-related disasters. They highlighted that “criminal negligence” on the part of the Philippine government contributed to the devastation caused by Typhoon Yolanda and subsequent extreme weather events.
The protest featured a performance art portion involving taong-putik or people drenched in mud, reenacting what had happened to some communities, particularly in Eastern Visayas, after Yolanda struck in 2013.
“From Typhoon Yolanda to Typhoon Goring, climate change has been relentless in its impacts on Filipinos,” said Jon Bonifacio, national coordinator of Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE). “Year in and year out, we see stronger typhoons and droughts hitting the country, made even worse by the backwards policies of administrations past and present.”
Kalikasan PNE noted that despite the growing impacts of climate change, the Marcos Jr. administration has “still pursued environmentally-destructive projects that are worsening the impacts of climate change on the Filipino people.” The group cited the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan and other reclamation projects as examples of these “destructive” projects.
In line with the ongoing country visit of United Nations Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights Ian Fry, the protesters also urged for a thorough investigation on the part of the UN team into the long-term impacts of Typhoon Yolanda and other climate disasters.
“With their investigation, we hope that the UN team can put much needed pressure on the Marcos Jr. administration to address climate change by repealing the ‘policies of plunder’ that are worsening climate change impacts in our country,” said Clemente Bautista, spokesperson of UN watchdog Philippine UPR Watch. “Policies like the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 and the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 provide the framework for the continuing destruction under Marcos Jr.”
UN Special Rapporteur Ian Fry is staying in the Philippines from November 6 to 15. He is expected to visit Leyte and engage with communities impacted by Yolanda during his 10-day country visit. #
Contact:
Jon Bonifacio
National Coordinator, Kalikasan PNE
[email protected] / 0939 913 6943
Clemente Bautista Jr.
International Officer, Kalikasan PNE
Spokesperson, Philippine UPR Watch
[email protected] / 0917 137 2930
