Press Release9 December 2023*Embargoed until December 9, 6 PM
Hundreds join ‘lantern parade’ against reclamation, for climate justice
In line with the Global Day of Action for Climate Justice, environmental and climate advocates joined forces today for a lantern parade, December 9, calling for an end to reclamation projects in Manila Bay and for climate justice.
Organized by the Defend Manila Bay Network and Peoples Rising for Climate Justice – Philippines, the event, entitled “Liwanag ng Manila Bay: Parada Laban sa Reklamasyon, para sa Hustisyang Pangklima” sought to highlight the negative effects of land reclamation projects in relation to impacts of climate change. The lantern parade featured an illuminated float, festive parols in the shape of marine life found in Manila Bay, and placards featuring their calls.
The groups warned how these projects put residents of Metro Manila and other Philippine coastal cities at risk, heightening the vulnerability of these low-lying places to severe flooding and storm surges.
Ka Aries Soledad, Cavite provincial coordinator of fisherfolk alliance PAMALAKAYA, said:
“Reclamation projects are killing fishing communities — there’s no sugar-coating it. Companies like the Dutch dredging firm Boskalis have operated without accountability in Cavite, damaging coral reef ecosystems and robbing fisherfolk of their livelihoods, all to build the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan. How can this be a solution to climate change?”
Jhed Tamano of Turn the Tide Now and AKAP KA Manila Bay said:
“Alongside our call to defend Manila Bay, we also call for the defense of our environmental and climate defenders. Defenders have been threatened, harassed, red-tagged, abducted, and even killed for championing advocacies like conserving Manila Bay and other critical ecosystems in our country. Perpetrators of these attacks need to be held accountable.”
Mikay San Ramon of Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines said:
“As the Conference of Parties 28 continues in Dubai, Filipinos are joining other peoples around the world in all the mobilizations for today’s Global Day of Action. Here in the Philippines, aside from calling for accountability from the world’s top carbon emitters and for immediate and adequate climate finance for countries like the Philippines, we are also calling for an end to destructive projects like reclamation which do nothing but worsen the climate crisis for the youth and the Filipino people as a whole.”
Jon Bonifacio, national coordinator of Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment, said:
“Our fight for climate justice here in the Philippines means holding the Marcos Jr. administration accountable for its policies of plunder and its failure to respond to the longstanding demands of civil society and grassroots organizations. It means demanding accountability from imperialist countries and multinational corporations that are wrecking Philippine ecosystems. We call on all Filipinos to rise for climate justice and push back against climate imperialism.”
Peoples Rising for Climate Justice is a global cross-movement peoples’ campaign for climate justice led by grassroots organizations. The Defend Manila Bay Network is a multisectoral alliance advocating for the genuine rehabilitation of Manila Bay as opposed to reclamation. ##
Contact: Terence — 0905 264 1766
This press release was sent out through the media list of Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment, member organization of both Peoples Rising for Climate Justice – Philippines and Defend Manila Bay Network.