19 July 2024 - A Philippine delegation led by Hon. Raoul Danniel A. Manuel, Kabataan Partylist Representative and Member of the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) and Parliamentarians for a Fossil-Free Future, Former Representative Teodoro “Teddy” B. Baguilat, Jr., APHR Board Member, and Ms. Denise M. Fontanilla, Global Support Team Communications Lead of Parliamentarians for a Fossil-Free Future, actively engaged in panel discussions on the second day of the “Climate Resilience in Southeast Asia: Strengthening the Role of Parliamentarians Conference” held at the Malaysian Parliament on 12 to 13 July 2024.

 

The Conference was organized by the APHR, in partnership with the Office of the Speaker of Malaysia’s House of Representatives, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, and the National Water Service Commission. It gathered experts, parliamentarians, representatives of various organizations, and members of the media to collaborate and share best practices in promoting sustainability and an inclusive approach to climate change mitigation and adaptation in the Southeast Asian region.

 

At the panel discussion on “Clean, Healthy, and Sustainable Environment as a Constitutional Right”, Former Representative Baguilat underscored that agriculture has to be a big priority for parliamentarians because Southeast Asia has long coastlines and the region’s economy is largely dependent on agriculture and fishing, sectors that are highly vulnerable to climate change. As parliamentarians, he added that it is also important to ensure the involvement of indigenous peoples and the most marginalized sectors, along with the protection of climate defenders to address the challenges brought about by climate change.

 

Ms. Fontanilla, on the other hand, discussed the Philippines’ laws, policies and mechanisms that were put in place for the protection of the environment and the mitigation of the impact of climate change. She shared that the establishment of human rights is enshrined in the country’s Constitution, which, in turn, guarantees environmental rights. Ms. Fontanilla also asserted that major carbon emitters should be held accountable for their contributions to climate change.

 

During the panel discussion on “Transitioning to Net Zero: Developing Regional Best Practices”, Representative Manuel tackled the importance of accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources and enhancing information dissemination on the climate emergency in a way that could be easily understood by everyone. He added that in the World Risk Index 2022, the Philippines ranked first among most disaster-prone countries, highlighting the vulnerability of the country to the effects of climate change. He echoed the call for cooperation among parliamentarians to minimize reliance on fossil fuels to mitigate their harmful effects to the natural environment and instead, promote the use of renewable energy.

 

Other members of the delegation who also actively participated in the Conference were Hon. Arlene D. Brosas, Gabriela Partylist Representative, Hon. France L. Castro, ACT Teachers Partylist Representative, Hon. Amir Mawallil, Member of the Bangsamoro Parliament, and Ms. Lidy Nacpil, Coordinator of the Asian People’s Movement on Debt and Development (Philippines).

 

The Philippine Embassy, represented by Ambassador Maria Angela A. Ponce and Consul General Roussel R. Reyes, attended the conference to express their support and commitment to the Conference’s vision for a more climate resilient future for Southeast Asia. END.

 

 

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