The petition was filed on behalf of the residents of Atimonan town by Monsignor Emmanuel Ma. Villareal and Father Warren Puno
Lay people raised concerns regarding the state of the environment in the province during the consultations.
The protesters, clad in costumes themed after the Netflix’s social drama series Squid Game, demanded the bank to align its portfolio to the “global climate ambitions andc in genuine support of sustainable development.”
“We have seen our fair share of destruction of lives and ecosystems .... Are these not enough for us to finally say no to mining in the Philippines?"
The report said the world’s addiction to single-use plastic is a serious contributor to the climate crisis.
SKDN also criticized the disbursement of a ₱160 million “disturbance fee,” saying it lacked transparency and created division among residents
“These individuals are ordinary people who simply seek to protect their right to live and work their lands,” the prelate added
Current structure encourages companies to continue using fossil fuels, as they profit even when they fail to supply electricity
The confrontation underscores growing pressure on global financial institutions to align their portfolios with climate goals
“We challenge aspiring leaders to show genuine commitment to protecting both our environment,” said Fr. Edwin Gariguez