Quezon City — Environmental advocates are urging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to call for climate accountability from the world’s biggest climate polluters after the combined effects of Severe Tropical Storm “Crising” (international name: “Wipha”) and the southwest monsoon unleashed torrential rains across the Bicol Region, Eastern Samar, and nearby provinces.

Flooding in Sto. Domingo, Quezon City as a result of the combined effects of Severe Tropical Storm “Crising” (international name: Wipha) and the southwest monsoon’s torrential rains across the Philippines. © Noel Celis / Greenpeace

The heavy rainfall is expected to worsen this week as the world awaits the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion (ICJAO)[1] on “the obligations of States in respect of climate change” on July 23, Wednesday evening in Manila. In its formal submission to the international court, the Marcos Jr administration affirmed that “The Philippines is committed to shaping a global framework that ensures justice for those most affected by the climate crisis and secures a sustainable future for all.”[2]

Greenpeace Philippines climate campaigner Jefferson Chua said,
“On Monday, President Marcos Jr will be delivering his SONA to a nation devastated by extreme rains, floods, and landslides, and to Filipinos who are still finding the strength to fix their homes, care for the sick and tend to their dead. Greenpeace believes that this should be a wake up call for President Marcos Jr to walk the talk on climate action and climate justice.

“With another storm expected this week, we are once again experiencing back-to-back destructive weather disturbances. For countless Filipinos, this means another cycle of devastation, displacement, and having to rebuild from shallow pockets, while barely recovering from the last typhoon.

“Filipinos are suffering climate harms while the world’s biggest polluters—oil and gas companies that have profited from climate destruction—continue to rake in trillions of dollars yearly. We cannot keep ignoring this injustice. Greenpeace is calling on President Marcos to demand for a fossil fuel phase out and make climate polluters pay for losses and damages.

“We call on the President to use his platform to ensure the passage of the Climate Accountability (CLIMA) Bill—a vital law that requires companies to proactively tackle climate change and prevent further harm to communities. Once enacted, the CLIMA Law will raise the bar for climate policy—not only in the Philippines but worldwide—by establishing a strong national framework for loss and damage and enforcing strict corporate transition rules.”

Photos available HERE

Notes to the Editor:

[1] Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change (Request for Advisory Opinion)

[2] Philippines at the ICJ: Climate Change Is a Crisis of Human Rights and International Peace

For requests for interviews and other information, please contact:

James Relativo, Communications Campaigner
Greenpeace Southeast Asia – Philippines
[email protected] | +63919 069 3424 (Viber & WhatsApp)