The politics of sustainability

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama dropped a political bombshell when he said it is “an act of treason” not to support Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia’s senatorial bid. His statement turned off a lot of people, including colleagues in the environmental movement and the subsistence fisherfolk directly affected by his friend’s ecologically devastating projects. Mention should be made of the governor’s support for and involvement in the planned but discontinued Japex oil drilling in Tañon Strait Protected Seascape and NorAsia’s Argao-Sibonga municipal waters, thwarted Balili coal ash disposal facility for the Kepco coal power plant and the controversial Cordova Reclamation Project, which stands to devastate one of the last and biggest seagrass ecosystems in Central Visayas.

Cebuanos know that Mike’s friend is not the greenest senatorial wannabe in this country. That is an understatement. Despite her handlers’ continuing  efforts to make her appear to be a green governor, even having an acronym named after her for her so-called environmental projects, she has failed the test. She has consistently supported the climate change causing fossil-fuel industry despite pleas from the affected stakeholders, especially the subsistence fisherfolk with the effects to their quality of life and livelihood, and the laws and policies requiring energy  technologies which do not impair the environment.

Cebu province and its component municipalities and cities lag not just in administrative efficiency but also in the enforcement of environmental laws such as Solid Waste Management (SWM) Law, Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act, which is the governor’s responsibility. Cebu did not even merit a slot in the top 10 provinces in the 2011 Interior and Local Government scorecard.

Many are aware that Mike’s friend has not been a sustainability leader, in the ecology advocates’ definition, that is, except perhaps for her prioritization of culture. But then, how can one be a lover of culture and at the same time steer projects which destroy the natural heritage?

To be in politics, one has to have more friends than enemies. Mike Rama certainly cannot afford to lose more.

To our consternation, Filipino brand of politics is a bane to sustainability. There is no serious response from political authorities to implement the laws and heed the constituents’ loud clamor for implementing policies that effectively protect our planet and people in mitigating and adapting to the climate crisis. There has been a very slow pace in adopting renewable energy, installing safe and people friendly roads, a plastic ban, effective solid and hazardous waste management. The list is endless.

Philippine Agenda 21 was crafted and called the nation’s “blueprint for sustainable development”. Yet, after  president Fidel Ramos’ term ended, it has not been heard from, except last year in preparation for this June 22’s Rio + 20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development when the National Economic Development Authority hosted a stakeholder’s summit.

A public policy to “recognize and apply a true value system including social and environmental cost implications relative to their utilization, development and conservation of our natural resources”  (Executive Order No. 192, Section 4) was adopted as early 1987 when the Deparmtment of Environment and Natural Resources was reorganized. It was reiterated in 1995 through Executive Order No. 406, as part of the strategy “to pursue sustainable development as contained in the Medium-Term Plan 1993-1998 and the Philippine Agenda 21.” But environmental costs are still left out in the assessment and implementation of projects.

The sad reality is: Laws are simply not enforced by LGUs and NGAs. “Despite almost two decades of implementation of the 1991 Local Government Code (LGC), however, local governments still face various challenges in the exercise of their devolved service  delivery functions.” (Philippine Development Plan, 2011-2016) A bold public admission by the National Government, but alas, no strong action.

Devolution has made political authorities focus more on their powers rather than their responsibilities, which now  include environmental protection and disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM). There is a de facto federalism operating in this country: too much autonomy for local officials, without  public accountability. Component LGU officials are simply not held accountable by their supervisors because of politics.

Citizens are the ones expected to push for accountability. Is this not pathetic? They are even deprived of their right to participate in decision-making because the mechanism for public participation, such as local development councils and sectoral representation at the local sanggunian, are still allowed not to be in place.

Laws are allowed to be disregarded. As an example, RA 10121, the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM)  Act of 2010, requires integration of climate change and DRRM in all policies, programs and projects of government as we are the tenth country in the world most vulnerable to climate change. This statute has not been mainstreamed, except in San Francisco, Camotes and the province of Albay.

Thankfully, Cebu has leaders with vision, determination and the guts to implement their dreams of a sustainable tomorrow.  We need more leaders and citizens in the mold of  Vice Mayor Al Arquillano, Cebu City Councilor Nida Cabrera (who has been stripped of her role in helping implement SWM program in the city), Barangay Luz Head Rian Tante, former Councilor Nestor Archival, Bobby Bajenting and so many others in the flourishing citizens movements who are leading the way for us to have the sustainable future that we deserve. Only a mindset of sustainability can save us from apathy and greed.

Let us reflect on the stirring words of Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai, founder of the Green Belt Movement: “It is people’s empowerment that truly leads them to decide to prioritize the environment, good governance, and cultures of peace”.  She adds, “The women of the Green Belt Movement have learned about the causes and the symptoms of environmental degradation. They have begun to appreciate that they, rather than their government, ought to be the custodians of the environment.”

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FAIR TRADE BAZAAR: Fair Trade Shop Cebu hosts a Fair Trade Bazaar on Saturday, May 12 at its office/parking area in Martinez Building, Osmeña Boulevard, Cebu City. Aside from sale of fair trade organic health and wellness products, there will be whole day workshops and orientation on fair trade, financial management, sustainable agriculture and natural farming, and promotion of recycling for livelihood.