MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Dec. 25, 2011) – The Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ) and the group called PAKISAMA and Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) marched in front of the Department of Natural Resources (DENR) to demand government accountability after a deadly flash flood brought about by tropical storm Washi in Mindanao that left over 1,000 people dead.
The activists wore black shirts to pay tribute to the lives lost and to signify the need for justice in the face of a calamity caused by numerous culprits.
“We call on for a national day of mourning for the deaths of our fellow brothers and sisters in Mindanao. It is unprecedented but could have been avoided if not for the failure of environmental policies of the government, expanding extractive industries and the worsening climate. These must be addressed to give justice to the lives lost during Typhoon Sendong,” Val Vibal, of PMCJ, said in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner.
The December 24 march coincided with the 9th day of novena for the victims of the flash floods in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities.
“The government must conduct a congressional investigation as to whom and what caused the unnatural calamity. DENR and other government agencies are accountable even if they deny culpability,” said Vicente Fabe, of PAKISAMA.
Extraction of Natural resources
On a recent data of the Mines and Geosciences Bueau (MGB), registered mining projects increased to 43 sites all over the country. Also, deforestation is very rampant making the Philippines one of the highest rates of deforestations in the world according to World Resource Institute. Almost all of the operators are MNCs or their local affiliates.
“Not only are the forests directly threatened by permanent disturbance, the capacity to hold rain water during typhoons are feared to be significantly impacted”, said Jaybee Garganera, of ATM.
He also emphasized that most of the owners and financiers of these mining projects are from Canada, Australia, EU and the United Kingdon, all Annex 1 countries.
Disaster Profiteering
IFIs like the World Bank played a big role in emitting huge quantities of GHG emissions. According to a 2008 study of Jubilee South APMDD a total of US$ 52.2 billion were invested to climate change inducing energy project throughout the world.
A different study by the Bank Information Center (BIC) shows that in 2008 alone, the World Bank invested heavily on fossil fuel projects that will emit 2 billion metric tons of CO2 over its lifetime, a 7% equivalent of world global GHG emission level.
On the other hand, the World Bank recently provided the Philippines a $500 million policy loan for the countries Disaster Risk Reduction Initiatives and the 3 million dollars loan from the Asian Development Bank. Every Filipino including the victims of Sendong will be paying for the loan.
“These loans came from the culprits of climate change. He just made a deal with the devil without knowing it,” Vibal said.
Annex 1 Countries
Based on a 2004 study of World Bank, developed countries like the US are one of the most highest emitter of GHG emissions globally while the Philippines is not even close in the global average.
“Annex 1 countries are accountable for the impacts of Typhoon Pedring,” Vibal said. “Their carbon intensive technologies and development path have worsened the vulnerability of the Philippines to disasters and climate change” Vibal said.
Ironically, the Philippines is the 3rd most vulnerable country in terms of calamities and climate change impacts according to the 2011 World Risk Index of the United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Safety (UNU-EHS)
Climate Justice
According to PMCJ, Climate Justice “ identifies the man-made causes of climate change and demands major proponents to be held accountable for the impacts of their actions, it also brings forward the demands and situations of affected and vulnerable communities as a fundamental step in claiming for justice.”
“As one of the victims of the irresponsibility of mining and logging companies including Annex 1 countries, the victims must demand for reparations as payment for the death and damages during typhoon Sendong,” Vibal said.
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