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In the report of Kalikasan, there are 23 ongoing projects in and around Manila Bay, covering 47,000 hectares of seascapes and landscapes that put the Filipino people vulnerable against storm surges, floods, and coastal erosion.
The project, a flagship initiative involving Singapore-based companies Blue Leaf and Sun Asia, aims to utilize 2,000 hectares of Laguna de Bay.
Even as an emerging drag queen, Celestia immediately started her career by partnering with the development and humanitarian organization Oxfam Pilipinas to create content about the climate crisis. In the form of reels, she initiated conversations about the connection between the climate crisis and public health, and how the government needs to implement policies that reduce carbon emissions.
“The Philippines is home to the highest concentration of marine shore fish species in the world, sheltered in a marine corridor known as the Verde Island Passage (VIP). The richness of biodiversity in the VIP makes it comparable to the Amazon. This biodiversity hotspot is being imperiled by fossil gas projects of SMC."
Groups reiterated the call to end reclamation and dredging activities in Manila Bay in a gathering April 20 in the coastal areas of Navotas City where 1,000 fisherfolk families were reportedly affected by the demolition of mussel farms attributed to the proposed Navotas Bay Coastal Reclamation Project.
“NFA should release the rice from warehouses and distribute it to farmers and fishermen who lost their income due to El Niño instead of making a profit and selling to private traders. Many are already complaining of hunger and loss, so the distribution of aid and compensation should be stepped up."
“Governments must protect the rights of every child, especially boys and girls living in countries that have contributed least to this problem but are enduring the most dangerous floods, storms, and heat."
“Affected fisherfolk and other residents ‘highly believe’ that the dismantling order is part of the 650-hectare reclamation project in the area.”
Months of investigation by Bulatlat revealed that the booming commercial tuna industry in General Santos City, dubbed the Philippines’ “tuna capital,” favors industrial scale commercial fishing fleets at the expense of the livelihood of thousands of ordinary fisherfolk.
Kalikasan People’s Network for Environment said that the Marcos Jr administration still allows massive projects like Kaliwa-Kanan-Laiban Dam, Wawa Dam, Ahunan Hydropower project, Jalaur Mega-Dam, Saltan Dam, and the Pasig River Expressway, all of which endanger the affected communities.
“The mining law liberalized the Philippine mining industry to bolster the country's economic growth. However, nearly three decades after, mountains have been flattened, rivers have become lifeless, and the well-being of the people has been severely affected."
"Fishers also bear the brunt of the El Niño phenomenon. During drought, fish usually swim deeper than usual to seek cooler temperatures, making fishing more difficult and costly as we have to spend extra time and fuel."
Environmental group Kalikasan filed a complaint to United Nations Special Rapporteur on Environment Defenders Michel Forst which stemmed from the consecutive attacks against Jonila Castro and Jhed Tamano.
Even if these calls of climate activists and CSO members’ reverberated at the venue of the COP, their voices were not heard at the negotiations of world leaders. Some of the CSOs were allowed to sit in as observers but not to participate in the negotiations.
Civil society organizations called the US’s pledge a measly contribution compared to its aid for war and militarization. They also demand that the funds should truly serve the communities in the Global South.
The role of the fisherfolk is important in assuring food security in the country, and so Ronnel Arambulo of Pamalakaya said that the needs of the fishermen must be given priority.
Rights groups said UN Special Rapporteur Ian Fry’s visit to the country "puts on center stage the sinister role played by the NTF-ELCAC and the dangerous impact of the terror law on the lives and safety of environmental human rights defenders in the country."
"Clearly the Marcos Jr. administration is failing to uphold the 2008-Supreme Court mandamus seeking various government agencies to clean-up, restore, and rehabilitate Manila Bay in the context of recreational use and fishery resources development."
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