House adopts resolution calling for climate justice

June 03, 2022 Friday


MANILA, 3 June 2022 — On the last day of the session of the 18th Congress, the House of Representatives adopted Resolution 2605, "Expressing the Sense of the House of Representatives for Climate Justice, Strengthened Implementation of the Philippines Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Laws, and for the Developed Countries to Deliver on Their Commitments."
 
The House Resolution, authored by Antique Lone District Representative Loren Legarda, Bohol 1st District Representative Edgar Chatto, and Kabataan Partylist Representative Sarah Jane Elago, calls for the urgent and effective implementation of the country’s ten (10) environment and climate change laws, projects, and programs.
 
Through this Resolution, all government agencies are directed to maximize the utilization of their resources to improve the country's resilience to climate change and natural disasters.
 
The Resolution also demands developed countries to deliver on their Paris Agreement commitments, particularly in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing targets on their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC).
 
Developed countries are also urged to provide assistance to developing countries in the form of technology, capacity development, and, climate finance, which includes jointly mobilizing US$100 billion annually from 2020 to 2025.
 
The Resolution supports the establishment of an accountability mechanism for climate change and a specific Loss and Damage Fund through a policy framework.
 
It also calls for an enabling policy environment to transition the country towards sustainability and climate resilience by prioritizing relevant legislation and complementing national policies and frameworks on the environment and climate change.
 
Moreover, the Resolution seeks for climate justice from corporations and developed countries who are the major contributors to environmental degradation.
 
Lastly, the Resolution commits to ensure more youth participation in legislative proceedings and prioritize government funding for youth-oriented capacity-building programs for their various initiatives on environmental protection and climate action.
 
"Sana po ay patuloy nating bigyan ng ngipin, for effective and efficient implementation, ang ating 10 landmark environmental laws, so we will be ensured a climate-resilient, sustainable, green, and regenerative economy that will be fair and just to all the vulnerable populations of our country," Legarda said in her privilege speech.
 
The ten landmark environmental laws are as follows: Clean Air Act of 1999 (RA 8749); Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (Republic Act No. 9003); Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001 (RA 9147); Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act (RA 11038); Clean Water Act of 2004 (RA 9275); National Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008 (RA 9512); Renewable Energy Act of 2008 (RA 9513); Climate Change Act of 2009 (RA 9729), as amended by the People’s Survival Fund Act of 2012 (RA 10174); and the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 (RA 10121).