A group of fishermen and young environmental advocates from Bataan today called on the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to stand up for fishing communities heavily impacted by climate-polluting firms by issuing a strong Resolution to the Climate Change and Human Rights Petition filed by Filipinos in 2015.
Derek Cabe of Nuclear and Coal-Free Bataan Movement said Bataan communities seek a Resolution that is pro-people and pro-planet and that categorically finds responsibility against destructive and polluting corporations, which cause human rights harms due to their significant contribution to the climate crisis. They are calling on the CHR to act with urgency, without any further delay, in protecting the lives, livelihood, and future of their families.
“Ngayon pa lang, ramdam na ng mga mangingisda ang epekto ng krisis sa klima. Kailangan namin ng mga polisiya na magpo-protekta hindi lamang sa aming mga kabuhayan kung hindi para sa mga kinabukasan ng aming pamilya,” Cabe said. “Kung titindig ang CHR para sa aming karapatan laban sa mga korporasyon, magbibigay ito ng babala sa mga lokal na nagpapatakbo ng coal-fired power plants na hindi nila maaaring ipagpatuloy ang pagyurak o paglabag sa aming karapatan.”
The National Inquiry on Climate Change, triggered by a petition filed by climate-impacted communities and civil society organizations, looks into the responsibility of top fossil fuel and cement companies for human rights harms arising from climate impacts. Once concluded, the Resolution may bolster existing climate litigations and inspire new ones in the Philippines and abroad.
To mark this year’s World Oceans Day, Bataan fisherfolk sent letters from Bataan communities, stating how climate-polluting entities such as coal plants are affecting their rights to health, livelihood, and a clean and safe environment.
Fred Dela Cruz, a member of Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Mangigisda ng Lamao and one of the fisherfolks who sent appeal letters to the CHR, said: “Paunti na nang paunti ang mga isdang naiuuwi namin sa aming pamilya. Patuloy pa itong lumalala dahil sa mapaminsalang coal plants sa aming lugar na nagdudulot ng mga sakit at pagkasira ng kalikasan. Patunay ito na hindi ang mga korporasyon ang nanagot sa mga pagkasirang dala nila. Kaming mga nasa komunidad ang araw-araw na nagbabayad sa pamamagitan ng pagkawala ng aming kabuhayan at paglala ng problema sa kalusugan.”
Edlyn Rosales of Pangisda – Bataan said fishing communities are also suffering from the presence of coal, oil, gas and cement plants in the province, as well as destructive activities such as the use of coal ash for reclamation projects in Orion and Limay. “Ang aming mga suliraning dinaranas araw-araw kagaya nang pagkakasakit at kawalan ng pangkabuhayan ay mga patunay na naapektuhan ng mga korporasyon ang aming mga karapatan. Kung hindi ito tututulan sa pamamagitan ng mga progresibo, maka-tao, at maka-kalikasang polisiya, anong kinabukasan pa ang mabibigay namin sa aming mga anak?”
Jochelle Magracia, convenor of Young Bataenos Environmental Advocacy Network (YBEAN), urged CHR to heed the calls of marginalized communities, including the youth, who are bearing the brunt of the climate crisis.
“Kaming mga kabataan ay apektado rin ng pagkasira ng karagatan. Kasabay ng paghina ng huli ng aming mga magulang, marami ring kabataan ang hindi na nakakapag-aral dahil sa kakulangan ng pangkabuhayan,” Magracia said. “We are standing up for climate justice not just for Bataenos, but also for the Filipino youth because we refuse to inherit a dying sea. We believe that the climate crisis can be addressed, but only if we hold the culprits responsible and liable for the damage they’re causing,” Magracia said.
For more information, please contact:
Derek Cabe, 09237298769
Filipinos are enduring the worst impacts of climate change, caused by greedy corporations. It’s time to hold them to account!