Cainta, Rizal — As the Philippines continues to grapple with the severe impacts of multiple extreme weather disturbances, Greenpeace Philippines is calling on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to demonstrate real climate leadership in his upcoming State of the Nation Address by making the biggest contributors to the climate crisis pay their fair share.
Across rain-drenched communities in and around Metro Manila, Greenpeace activists placed a cardboard likeness of the President in floodwaters, and held up banners declaring: “This is the State of the Nation” and “Make Climate Polluters Pay.” The protest spotlighted the urgent need for climate accountability.
“We call on President Marcos to use his SONA platform to push for bold climate action,” said Virginia Benosa-Llorin, Senior Campaigner at Greenpeace Philippines. “While Filipinos wade through floodwaters, President Marcos is abroad, meeting with US President Donald Trump. We need him to come home to the true state of the nation: one where communities pay the price for a crisis they didn’t cause, while huge corporate polluters—giant oil and gas companies—rake in trillions. The climate crisis is an unfair burden on communities and on taxpayers who are shouldering the costs and burden of the never-ending response and relief activities.”
In recent weeks, more than 800,000 Filipinos have been displaced, six lives lost, and infrastructure damages have soared to hundreds of millions of pesos, due to the effects of consecutive storm systems: Severe Tropical Storm Crising, which worsened the Southwest Monsoon or habagat; Tropical Depression Dante, which is expected to strengthen into a storm; and a low pressure area off Luzon’s northern tip which developed into Tropical Depression Emong this morning.
These protest actions staged under relentless rain come not only ahead of President Marcos’ SONA on Monday, but also ahead of a historic moment: The International Court of Justice in the Hague is set to release an advisory opinion (ICJAO) on “the obligations of States in respect of climate change” on July 23, Wednesday evening in Manila. It is expected to serve as a guide for governments to put people and the planet as top policy priorities. In its formal submission to the international court, the Marcos Jr administration stated 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.”
“We want more than speeches. We want action. Support stronger climate policies, end support for fossil fuel expansion, and fast-track the passage of the CLIMA Bill,” said Benosa-Llorin. “The passage of the CLIMA Bill—a law that holds corporations responsible for climate damages and secures justice for affected communities—will raise the bar for climate policy in the Philippines and around the world.”
Despite President Marcos’ public claims of pursuing climate justice, from bidding to host the Loss and Damage Fund (FRLD) Board to announcing flood control budgets, his administration continues to support fossil fuel expansion. Meanwhile, communities remain vulnerable, and polluters untouched.
“The President must go beyond lip service and be a leader in climate justice—not just in words, but in actions that protect communities and hold corporations to account,” Benosa-Llorin said. “The time to act is now—before more lives and homes are lost.”
Photos available HERE
For requests for interviews and other information, please contact:
Karl Orit, Communications Campaigner
Greenpeace Southeast Asia – Philippines
[email protected] | +63 919 4571064
