QUEZON CITY, Philippines (January 23)—GMA News and Public Affairs’ The Jessica Soho Presidential Interviews on Saturday pressed candidates on their personalities, controversies, and stances on issues, including their plan of action to mitigate climate disasters.
The presidential bets briefly discussed building back better through climate-resilient infrastructure, preventing loss and damage, the transition to renewable energy, and applying local solutions at the national level.
Reacting to this, Greenpeace Philippines Country Director Lea Guerrero said:
“The discussion on climate issues has been lacking throughout the election season so far, particularly on the struggle for climate justice. This reflects the lack of ambitious plans in candidates’ platforms that would protect Filipinos from worsening climate impacts. In the interviews, climate and environmental issues were addressed within the frame of disaster response, rather than systemic solutions that would address the problems at root.
The next administration will be in power during a crucial window for climate action. The next president needs to advocate the rights of Filipino communities, including securing a green and just future for the youth. Instead of merely being reactive to the climate crisis, they must prioritize urgent, long-term, and systemic climate action, including following through with climate emergency declaration[1] and expediting the country’s transition to renewable energy.
Moreover, while the question of accountability is frequently thrown at candidates, accountability must also be demanded of fossil fuel corporations and rich countries who fail to act quickly on climate change. Alongside systemic solutions, the next president must stand for inclusive, transparent and inspired models of governance that are fully accountable to people, prioritizing and meeting our collective rights to social, economic, cultural and environmental dignity.
These aspects should be a major consideration of Filipino voters, in deciding which candidates are fit for their respective positions. At a time when climate disasters have become a norm, those vying to become our new leaders must present a meaningful and transformative agenda on the climate and environmental crises – and their strategies to address these.”