President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed into law Republic Act (RA) 12120, or the Philippine Natural Gas Industry Development Act. The law seeks to increase the share of natural gas in the country’s energy mix as well as to promote it as a supposedly “safe, efficient, and cost-effective source of energy.”

Reacting to this, Greenpeace campaigner Jefferson Chua said:

“Let us call a spade a spade: ‘natural’ gas is a harmful fossil fuel that contributes to the climate crisis. To say otherwise is an act of greenwashing and disinformation.

“The new gas industry development law enables more profiteering from an industry that is scrambling to secure its continued relevance, while continuing to contribute to the dangerous heating of the planet. The timing of its passage, at the heels of 2024, can almost be interpreted as an insult to the many who have suffered and continue to suffer from recent climate disasters. Scientists have flagged last year as the hottest on record–we have temporarily breached the 1.5-degree threshold that spells the difference between survival and climate disaster.

“Instead of kowtowing to oil and gas companies, the Philippines must chart its truly independent path by taking concrete steps away from fossil fuel dependence, and demand payment for escalating loss and damage from oil and gas companies.

“A cozier policy environment for gas investments unfortunately means longer lock-in periods for fossil fuel dependence. This law will cost us critical and valuable time to achieve a just energy transition or the country’s already meagre target of 50% renewable energy by 2050. It runs counter to science, common sense, and climate justice.

“The president must use his significant influence to reverse this decision as well as to improve the policy and infrastructure environment for renewable energy. His administration must mandate a net zero target that would ensure the phase out of coal, oil and gas and start enabling the transition of energy systems towards a massive uptake of renewables; it must ensure that this is done through means that put the welfare of communities and the environment first. Furthermore, he must ensure the passage of laws that are grounded in climate justice and which set legal frameworks to hold climate polluters accountable.

“The president’s term coincides with the most crucial years for climate action. His actions will determine the future of one of the most vulnerable nations to climate disasters. We call on him to do what is right and choose the wellbeing of the Filipino people over profit for an industry largely responsible for the crisis that is endangering millions of people in the Philippines and the world over.”

For requests for interviews and other information, please contact:

Karl Orit, Greenpeace Philippines, Communications Campaigner
[email protected] | +63 919 4571064

Note to the editor:

Greenpeace continues its calls for the Marcos Jr government to:

  • Speed up the passage of and enact a strong Climate Accountability Bill;
  • Start the process to litigate carbon majors for climate impact damages to the Filipino people;
  • Review and cancel MOUs from line agencies such as the DENR with companies that perpetuate the climate crisis and who likewise deny their own responsibility in the climate crisis;
  • Champion the Climate Damages Tax and other innovative sources of finance to ensure not just adequate funding, but, importantly, payment from corporations, for loss and damage;
  • Stop all plans for nuclear energy, fossil gas expansion and other false solutions; and
  • Enable policy reforms to reshape the economy to enable climate justice and community resilience.