Green groups ask winners: What’s your ecology policy?

MANILA, Philippines — Environmental groups have expressed alarm over the results of the senatorial race, citing the poor track record and policy pronouncements of the winners when it comes to environmental issues.

Citing the scorecard that it had released prior to the elections, Green Thumb Coalition said the environment and sustainable development agenda may be sidelined in the Senate, given its composition.

“It will be a continuation of a government that does not give priority to environment, climate and sustainable development, given that most of those in the winning circle did not present a clear environment agenda,” said one of the coalition’s convenors, Ian Rivera.

“The elections were not only dirty, but the track records of those who won are generally dirty,” said Leon Dulce, national coordinator of the group Kalikasan.

Rivera, also the national coordinator of the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice, also expressed concern over Sen. Cynthia Villar’s support for the proposed coal-fired power plant in Negros Occidental.