In light of the recent viral arrest of NASA’s scientist Peter Kalmus, the ongoing climate crisis has now been brought to the forefront of global issues, igniting the public’s concern. Many environmental activists call on public officials for a response. Unfortunately, these issues are often ignored in favor of more influential concerns.
Voting for a "green leader" is a crucial step in reversing climate change. It is the voter’s duty to educate themselves on the environmental agendas of their favored candidates. If one is undecided on a candidate, it is up to them to educate themselves into making the best decision for their country.
This article compiles the environmental plans and positions of six of the ten Philippine Presidential Candidates. Namely, Bongbong Marcos, Leni Robredo, Isko Domagoso, Manny Pacquiao, Ping Lacson, and Leody De Guzman.
As much as it is important to cover all candidates, there is a lack of reliable data and information regarding the rest of the candidates’ environmental plans, agendas, stands, etc.
Bongbong Marcos
Bongbong Marcos has called for collective action on climate change.
He promises to focus on the air pollution problem in the country.
He plans to boost reforestation efforts on a massive scale by pushing for stricter anti-illegal logging laws, improving ongoing forest conservation efforts, and strictly managing remaining forests.
He has vowed to explore renewable energy sources such as hydropower, geothermal, solar, and wind.
He plans to revisit the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant and has proposed building nuclear plants in Mindanao.
He believes that electricity costs can be lowered by making use of nuclear power.
He is open to allowing sustainable mining and incorporating plans to use local resources such as nickel and lithium to the country’s advantage.
He has not spoken about climate justice as a candidate. However, he mentioned it (as an issue) on his YouTube channel a few years ago.
Leni Robredo
Leni Robredo is pushing for the inclusion of climate change programs in all plans of the government.
She plans to make the Philippines a center of climate related industries (e.g. e-transport, smart agriculture, green infrastructure, etc.).
She plans to prioritize renewable energy (solar, wind, geothermal, etc.) and is in favor of mini-grids and solar-powered rooftop technology .
She supports the need to move away from fossil fuels by pushing for the creation of a power-sufficient roadmap, advocating for the retirement of coal plants, and taking liquefied natural gas into mind as a practical solution for energy transition.
She claims that she is “open to discussion” on nuclear energy. However, she believes it is not a priority and opposes the revival of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.
She advocates for the improvement of the country's roadmap to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and meet global climate commitments.
She has stated that she plans to scrap Duterte’s Executive Order, which lifted the moratorium on mineral agreements.
She believes in sustainable mining and plans to put in proper avenues to allow communities in mining areas to have a voice.
She plans to declare no-mining areas and seeks to prioritize the passage of alternative minerals bills.
She pleads for the prioritization of water resource management infrastructure and identification of new sources of water.
She pushes for the empowerment of communities in environmental discussions through the institution of People’s Councils at the local level.
She states that she will put forward coherent policies regarding climate justice and accountability.
Isko Domagoso
Isko Domagoso plans to address the climate crisis through massive forestation with the help of IP groups, LGUs, and the construction of renewable energy infrastructure
He is open to the extraction of oil in the West Philippine Sea.
He plans to build 1 million disaster-resilient housing in the six years of his tenure.
He pushes for the adoption of agrivoltaic systems, when solar panels create moisture for crops.
He is against the revival of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.
He plans to advance a “mining-friendly policy” to allow job creation and attract foreign investments.
He supports the creation of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
He advocates for investments in watershed management.
He plans to impose a moratorium on agricultural land conversion.
He pushes for the legislation of the National Land Use law.
Manny Pacquiao
Manny Pacquiao wishes to institute a “super agency” for long term strategies to address climate change and disaster response.
He promises to push congress to craft a 50-year infrastructure and disaster resiliency master plan.
He states that renewable energy (RE) development is one of his top 5 priorities.
He advocates for the development of solar, wind, and mini-hydro energy sources.
He supports nuclear energy and considers floating nuclear power plants.
He is a supporter of “responsible mining.”
He pushes for reforestation and promoting “clean and green.”
He also pushes for the creation of a Department of Water, as he has voiced worries over the country's declining supply of clean and potable water due to environmental abuse and overpopulation.
Ping Lacson
Ping Lacson plans to make the Philippines a “model country” in the fight against climate change.
His administration will address said issue based on science and data.
He supports the “carbon emissions testing” of vehicles, as he referenced the prevalent corruption at the Land Transportation Office.
He plans to address climate change through reforestation.
He claims that energy transition will be part of his plan to make the Philippines a model country.
He states that he supports nuclear energy provided that safety measures are in place.
He is open to fossil fuel exploration in the West Philippine Sea.
He supports Duterte’s executive order that previously lifted the mining ban
He pushes for “responsible mining” with a “data-driven approach.”
He emphasized the importance of investing towards research and development in water management.
Leody De Guzman
Currently, Leody De Guzman has the most progressive position on the climate crisis with his radical (compared to the other candidates) stance on the environment.
He has stated that his administration will address climate change as one of their priorities.
His climate crisis action plan includes strengthening communities’ adaptive capacity and sustainable projects.
He is very vocal about climate justice.
He has called for reparation from rich countries who have been historically responsible for climate change.
He supports the phasing out of all fossil fuel power plants and the transition to a low-carbon economy.
He pushes for the funding and prioritization of a rapid transition to renewable energy sources.
He plans to speed up the transition to renewable energy with the closure of coal plants in the first two years of his tenure.
He believes that renewable energy will bring in jobs and lower electricity rates.
He is openly against nuclear energy.
He pushes for the enactment of a strategic land use policy to prevent disasters.
He supports the repeal of the Mining Act of 1995, which outlines the rules foreign investment and mineral exploitation.
He advocates for an alternative mineral management law that regulates mining and addresses environmental concerns.
He is against lifting the open-pit mining ban in South Cotabato, having joined a march in protest of it
He supports the passage of the national land use act.
He is strongly against environmentally-destructive infrastructure projects.
He calls for the ecological restoration of land, forests, and all bodies of water.
He promotes transport justice, which states that the government should provide everyone with adequate transportation.
He plans to initiate a program of ecologically sustainable reindustrialization.
It is a voter’s duty to elect a presidential candidate with a concrete plan, a clean track record, and tangible credentials. One must not forget to do their own independent research on the candidates, as there is more to know about each candidate than is contained in this article. After all, the future of the upcoming generation is in their hands. It is of the utmost importance that we vote wisely.
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Published August 9, 2022 and August 12, 2022
Written by Skye Cabrera ~ Edited by Mackenzie Pritchard ~ Graphics created by Shruti Senthilram
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