Marikina City, Philippines — More than a hundred young people from Marikina last Saturday called on local and national candidates to stand up for corporate accountability and to make climate polluters pay climate-affected communities for damages.
As the May 12 elections approaches, Greenpeace Philippines, in partnership with Marikina Kontra Agos, organized a Green Electoral Forum on April 26, 2025, aimed at elevating climate action and corporate accountability as the top of the political agenda of local and national candidates. This forum brought together local candidates, environmental organizations, and community leaders to discuss sustainable solutions for the pressing flooding issues affecting Eastern Metro Manila and the province of Rizal.
“Ipinapakita ng forum na ito na may makakalikasan at pangmatagalang paraan sa pagtugon sa palagiang pagbaha sa Marikina na hindi lang nakakupot sa mga proyektong pang-imprastraktura,” said Marikina Kontra Agos, in a statement for the event. “Layunin din nitong hamunin ang mga tumatakbong kandidato sa lungsod na tiyaking naisasama sa kanilang plataporma ang pagprotekta sa buong sistema ng Ilog Marikina, lalo na ang watershed.”
[This forum shows that there are long-term green solutions to the flooding of Marikina that are not limited to infrastructure projects. It likewise challenges the city’s candidates to include the protection of the whole Marikina River system, and the Upper Marikina Watershed, into their platforms.]
The group added that the candidates must recognize that the annual overflowing of the river system would require the coordination of Pasig City and the Provincial Government of Rizal as the river system knows no political jurisdiction.
“Young Marikeños are going to elect leaders at a time when impacts of the climate crisis are causing more frequent and intense rainfall and extreme weather such as super typhoons,” said Greenpeace Campaigner Jefferson Chua, who spoke at the event. “Now is the time to choose leaders who will champion climate justice and hold those responsible for the climate crisis to account, and who will protect vital ecosystems to ensure that communities will be resilient in the face of climate impacts. By doing so, they can help secure a better future for themselves and for the country.”
An Asian Development Bank research found that the impact of climate change could slash the gross domestic product (GDP) in developing Asia and the Pacific by 17% by 2070 under a high-end greenhouse gas emissions scenario — a burden that could impact Filipinos while extractive industries and fossil fuel interests continue to profit.1
Greenpeace Philippines and Marikina Kontra Agos called on the electorate to support measures that facilitate climate justice, such as the pending Climate Accountability Bill, which aims to hold polluters responsible, secure reparations for affected communities, and pave the way for a corporate transition.
They emphasized the need for ongoing work in addressing the perennial flooding around the river, while protecting the surrounding ecosystems. Demanding corporate accountability and holding government officials to their elections promises requires creating active participation in local policymaking, they said, not just during disaster response but also as part of ongoing strategies to address vulnerabilities.
Specifically, Marikina Kontra Agos is calling for:
- The implementation of a 50-year moratorium on all quarry and mining permits within and outside the Upper Marikina Watershed in Rizal
- Commitment to sustainable, community-led reforestation efforts—not privatized initiatives and certainly not large dams
- Reconvene the Alliance of Seven to collaboratively address flooding and develop comprehensive, sustainable solutions
At the national level, Greenpeace released a 5-point agenda for candidates:2
- Champion communities: Help build climate-resilient communities
- Demand accountability: Make climate polluters pay
- Support the Just Energy Transition: Ensure clean and just energy for all
- Advocate health and wellbeing: Promote health-focused climate policies
- Put climate justice and climate action at the center of policy making
Notes to editor:
Notes for the editor:
[1] ADB Says Climate Change Could Reduce GDP in Developing Asia and the Pacific by 17% by 2070
[2] Greenpeace urges 2025 bets to prioritize climate justice
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For requests for interviews and other information, please contact:
James Relativo, Greenpeace Philippines Communications Campaigner [email protected] | +63 919 069 3424
