The General Assembly of the Philippine Misereor Partnership Inc (PMPI) called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr to put the country under a state of climate emergency and “recognize the severity of the crisis”. 

In a manifesto signed by some 171 delegates on March 7, the group vowed to seek “climate justice for the most vulnerable” and pressure the government to “address the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable communities”. 

PMPI held its 7th General Assembly this week which coincided with its 20th anniversary celebration.

It has called for the adoption of nature-based solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change, emphasizing the urgent need to shift away from fossil fuels.

The manifesto also highlighted the comprehensive approach to environmental conservation, including the rejection of projects harmful to the environment and detrimental to communities. 

PMPI renewed its call for the passage of the Rights of Nature bill, currently under consideration in Congress. The bill seeks to recognize the intrinsic value of nature, granting legal standing to ecosystems.

“By granting legal standing to ecosystems, humans will be obliged to change our relationship with nature, including our production systems, law, and governance,” the manifesto read.

PMPI asserted that the country requires a transformative approach to its economic and political governance, one that fully acknowledges and incorporates the Rights of Nature. 

This perspective not only shifts the focus towards more sustainable practices but also sets the stage for comprehensive environmental and social reforms aimed at preserving the country’s rich natural heritage.