ENVIRONMENTAL groups have urged President Bongbong Marcos to stop the revival of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.
This was included in the list of demands of various groups who participated in the National People's Summit held on Saturday, July 16, 2022, at the People’s Hall of Quezon Memorial Circle.
The environment groups contributed demands actionable over the next 100 days, which were addressed to the Marcos Administration.
In the People's Summit's 9-point summary of demands, Marcos was challenged to "ensure environmental protection, rehabilitation and balanced use of the country’s natural wealth, the conservation of the country’s natural resources and the full exercise of national sovereignty of these."
The group said their demands may be achieved by stopping the revival of the BNPP, stopping destructive open-pit mining operations and destructive reclamation projects, promoting marine biodiversity and sustainable livelihood for the people, protecting indigenous communities who are the stewards of the environment, and demanding loss and damage compensation from polluter nations and corporations for climate justice.
Among the groups who joined the pre-summit consultations to contribute to the environmental agenda were 350.org Pilipinas, AGHAM, Aksyon Klima, Ecowaste Coalition, Greenpeace Philippines, Institute for Nationalist Studies, International League of Peoples' Struggle, Kalikasan PNE, Kilusang Mayo Uno, Pamalakaya, Panatang Luntian coalition, and the Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines.
The green groups called on the government to demand just compensation for the damages caused by the world's top polluter countries and carbon major companies, which have worsened the effects of ecological degradation and climate disruption suffered by the Filipino people.
The environmentalists also asked the government to institute an omnibus moratorium on destructive projects funded by foreign investment such as Kaliwa-Kanan Laiban Dam, Manila Bay Aerocity, New Clark City, large-scale mines such as the Oceanagold, Tampakan Copper-Gold, Sibuyan Nickel ming projects, and the Pasig River Expressway, among others.
The legislature under Marcos was also challenged to prioritize the People's Green New Deal, a proposed economic stimulus plan for a just and green recovery that reflects the people’s agenda.
According to the group, Marcos, who has made big promises on pursuing renewable energy and combatting climate change, must recognize the need for urgent action to address these proposals for environmental and climate justice.