Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment
Press Statement
7 March 2024
Oppose the Resolution of Both Houses No. 7! Don’t let Marcos Jr. plunder the people and the environment!
Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment strongly opposes the recent passage of the Resolution of Both Houses No.7, which seeks to amend the so-called “restrictive” economic provisions in the 1987 constitution. In the face of the increasing environmental destruction and climate crisis in the country, the Marcos Jr. regime is still trying to railroad changes in our constitution that would only serve the interests of a select few, while putting our national patrimony and environmental integrity in danger.
Under the RBH No.7, it proposes to amend the ownership clauses of legislative franchises, public utilities, and many more, signaling a clear shift towards deregulation and liberalization of sectors critical to our nation’s sovereignty and ecological balance. Contrary to the message of the Marcos Jr. regime that this is necessary for economic development, the Filipino people will be the real losers in this arrangement if we strengthen the chokehold of foreign entities and multinational corporations on our economy and ecology. Destructive projects will threaten our environment, socio-economic inequalities will worsen, while the rich few will get even richer from the exploitation of our people and our planet.
Last February 24, 28 environmental groups released a unity statement opposing Marcos Jr.’s cha-cha initiative. This is a clear indication that environmentalists are expressing grave concern over these developments, and the fact that there appears to be a move to railroad the process makes it clear how detached the priorities of the Marcos Jr. regime are from the demands of the Filipino people.
We urge the Filipino people to remain vigilant and resolute in their opposition to Resolution of Both Houses No. 7 and any attempts at charter change that seek to prioritize profit over people and planet. We must not allow Marcos Jr. to undermine our constitution’s protective provisions, which serve as safeguards against environmental plunder and exploitation from the wanton destruction we have already experienced in the hands of multinational corporations and imperialist countries.
#NoToChaCha
Contact:
John Carlo Magallon / Communications Officer, Kalikasan PNE
[email protected] / 0955 299 5309
