Climate change approach to go well with economic agenda, Bongbong Marcos

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Screenshot from RTVM video of the President’s second State of the Nation Address

MANILA, Philippines — President Bongbong Marcos, in his second State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday, noted the importance of climate change mitigation strategies, noting that it could build “liveable and sustainable” communities.

“The building blocks of progressive, livable and sustainable communities will never be complete without appropriate and responsible action to mitigate and to adapt to the effects of climate change,” said Marcos in his speech on Monday.

“We can never lose sight of our responsibility to the future. The economic agenda cannot and will not ever be incompatible with our climate change agenda,” he stated.

According to the President, his administration now considers climate change as an essential factor prior to planning and implementing government programs.

“We have learned many painful lessons from past disasters but we continue to be alert and prepared in our disaster response. It has, in fact, been commented that sometimes we are over-prepared for such natural disasters. Well, to continue that, we are reorganizing our response teams to make them more adaptable, agile and effective in times of calamities and crises, with a clear unity of command,” Marcos added.

To further prove his point, the President noted that the Philippines remains committed to global decarbonization goals as well as the reduction of carbon footprint. He said this can be achieved through utilizing the concept of the so-called “circular economy” or utilizing materials in a “closed loop.”

“In our world with scarce resources, the circular economy allows us to fully use these resources, minimize waste and reduce the need for new resources—just as it is in nature. Just like our climate change action, this new system requires the participation of all sectors of society, up to each individual citizen, for it to succeed,” he explained.

But this, Marcos stressed, will not be achieved by one government agency alone, adding that collaboration between and among government and private offices remains the key to achieving  “sustainable and liveable communities.

‘For the first time’

Meanwhile, Makati City Mayor Abby Binay, who labeled herself as a “climate change advocate,” said she was glad that the President took the time to underscore the importance of climate change mitigation.

“I am a climate change advocate. Nakakatuwa. For the first time — in all the Sonas I have attended since 2007, first time yata na nagkaroon ng presidente na [narecognize] that there is already a climate emergency. Hopefully, with all the progress that we are [making] with this renewable energy, hopefully, ay makatulong ito sa ating bansa,” Binay told reporters in an ambush interview following the Sona.

(I am a climate change advocate. I am glad about this. For the first time — in all the Sonas I have attended since 2007, I think it was the first time that a President has recognized that there is already a climate emergency. Hopefully, with all the progress that we are making with this renewable energy, hopefully, it will help our country.)

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JPV