Govt asked to stop fossil fuel use amid separate sea mishaps in Luzon

Following severe tropical storm Kristine and super typhoon Leon  Greenpeace has called on the government to end fossil fuel dependence and to demand payment for loss and damage from those most responsible for the climate crisis.

Typhoon Kristine killed at least 150 people and left at least P 6.5 billion in damages to infrastructure and agriculture. It also ran aground a coal barge off the coast of Zambales, and an oil tanker in a port in Batangas. 

In less than a week, Kristine was followed by  Leon which saw signal number 5 raised over Batanes Province. 

In the past six months, storms and tropical disturbances  from  Aghon, Butchoy, Carina, Enteng, Julian,  Kristine and Leon have caused an estimated 250 deaths and P 25 billion in damages combined. 

“Every year, the stakes are higher for Filipinos who suffer the impacts,” said Greenpeace campaigner Khevin Yu. 

“Since July this year, Filipinos have had to deal with death and damaged homes almost every month. And yet they’re still the ones bearing the financial burden of these impacts with taxpayers’ money. This shouldn’t go on. The government must demand payment for loss and damage from fossil fuel companies, and lead the call for a fossil fuel phase out.

Greenpeace said the Philippine delegation should support the Climate Damages Tax, so that there is contribution from high emitting industries such as fossil fuel companies. Filipinos are tired of the never ending cycle of typhoon destruction. Kailangan nang kalampagin ang mga mayayamang bansa at mga kompanyang pinaka responsable sa climate damage.

Despite the President’s speeches on the need for renewable energy and climate justice, the Philippines is still poised to increase its dependence on fossil fuels, particularly fossil gas. The government has also made no commitment to a net-zero target, and is eyeing dangerous energy sources like nuclear along with continued dependence on coal and gas.

Greenpeace additionally raised the alarm on the growing frequency of oil and coal spills, with tankers and barges running aground due to the typhoons. In July, STY Carina (Gaemi) sank two tankers and caused a major oil spill in Bataan. 

Greenpeace warned that oil and coal will leave permanent damage to the marine environment, affecting coastal communities reliant on fishing for food and livelihood.

Local communities who reached out to Greenpeace reported fish catch with oily scent, the absence of information from authorities about the possibility of an oil spill, and how movements in the port area have been restricted. 

Former ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio condemned the recent coal spill disasters in Sorsogon and Zambales, warning of their catastrophic impact on fisher folk communities, marine ecosystem, and public health.

“As we are still conducting relief operation in Bicol in the aftermath of Severe Tropical Strom Kristine, we are now confronted with these environmental disasters that threaten the livelihood of our fisher folk and the integrity of our marine sanctuaries” Tinio said.

The former solon highlighted how the coal spill in Sorsogon has already resulted in fish kills and the death of marine life, while the Zambales incident has endangered the Masinloc-Oyon Bay Protected Seascape and Landscape, a critical marine sanctuary.

A barge that was carrying an unspecified amount of coal capsized in the waters of Barangay Buenavista, Sorsogon City during the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm “Kristine.”

Lidy Nacpil, coordinator of the Asian Peoples’ Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD), said the running aground of the coal barge in the Zambales fish sanctuary recently is a major disaster imperiling biodiversity and the livelihood of many communities.

The barge, carrying over 11,000 metric tons of coal, ran aground at the Masinloc-Oyon Bay Protected Seascape and Landscape, the first marine protected area in Central Luzon and considered one of the key biodiversity areas in the country.

“These incidents expose the inherent dangers of our continued dependence on coal. Not only does coal contribute to climate change when burned for energy, but its transportation also poses severe risks to our communities and environment. Our fish folk, who are already struggling due to recent typhoons, are now faced with the prospect of long term damage to their fishing grounds,” Tinio said.

“We demand immediate action from the DENR, PCG, and other concerned agencies to contain these spills and conduct thorough investigation. The companies responsible must be held accountable and should provide compensation to affected communities,” he added.

Tinio also called for an urgent transition to renewable energy sources. “These disasters underscore the need to phase out coal dependency and shift to sustainable energy alternatives. We cannot continue putting our communities and environment at risk for the sake of dirty energy,” he concluded.