PH joins global rallies on climate change action

At the start of the 21st Conference of Parties (COP), Filipino activists joined protesters calling for climate justice and assailed the Aquino government for its “carbon hypocrisy.” (Photo from Bayan’s website)

MANILA – Filipino protesters joined thousands of environmental activists around the world who staged rallies, calling on state leaders to take concrete steps in curbing carbon pollution and fighting the worsening climate change.

Demanding results from this year’s climate change summit, Catholic clergy, indigenous people and members of the Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) crowded Plaza Rajah Sulayman in Manila on November 29.

The demonstrators joined hands in prayer for climate solidarity and held placards and streamers, urging the government to shut down coal plants and prohibit coal mining in the Philippines.

Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes slammed the Aquino administration for supporting coal mining in the country by continuously issuing coal operating contracts, most recently in Surigao del Sur which he feared would degrade the environment and displace lumads, the indigenous people in the province.

The protesters also sang and paid tribute to the victims of Supertyphoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan), pointing out that the country was among the poor nations which suffered the destructive effects of climate change.