Philippines environment groups call for protection from oil spills, climate disasters

The Power for People Coalition (P4P) and WagGas, in partnership with communities and organizations, held a prayer rally on November 15 at the Protect VIP (Verde Island Passage) mural in Pola, Oriental Mindoro.

The event called for urgent government action to address the devastating impacts of fossil fuel dependency, as exemplified by last year’s catastrophic oil spill and worsening climate disasters like Super Typhoon Kristine, according to a statement.

Pola, the site of the prayer rally, remains deeply affected by the MT Princess Empress oil spill, which occurred when the tanker sank last year, releasing 900,000 liters of industrial fuel oil.

The disaster caused environmental damages worth ₱40.1 billion and socio-economic losses of ₱1.1 billion, severely impacting local communities and ecosystems.

“The Verde Island Passage is a global treasure, supporting critical ecosystems that help combat climate impacts. Our oceans should be protected, not handed over to corporations for gas projects,” said Fr. Edu Gariguez, convenor of Protect VIP.

He recounted his mission in 2022 to international banks and financiers of gas projects in Batangas, urging them to withdraw their support due to the destructive consequences on the environment and local livelihoods.

The event, dubbed “Pola Lakas-Dasal,” was part of a nationwide effort for the Global Day of Action Against Fossil Fuels.

It highlighted the harmful effects of reliance on coal and gas, which not only accelerate the climate crisis but also threaten critical ecosystems and fisherfolk’s livelihoods through oil spills and environmental degradation.

The action coincided with the ongoing UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan.

“This prayer rally is a peaceful offering for those affected by typhoons and other crises,” said Fr. Marlon Labay, director of the Environment Commission on Ecology of the Social Action Commission of the Apostolic Vicariate of Calapan. “It is also a call to the government, especially Mindoro, to take decisive action in protecting our environment.”

Labay echoed Pope Francis’s call for stewardship in Laudato Si’, emphasizing, “True stewardship means rejecting harmful projects that exacerbate the climate crisis. Fossil fuel developments damage ecosystems and worsen the suffering of vulnerable communities. The time to act is now, to safeguard both our natural resources and future generations.”

The prayer rally began with a Holy Mass at Pola Community College, followed by a candle-lit march and the praying of the rosary. Participants then gathered at the Protect VIP mural, where sectoral representatives voiced their concerns about climate change and demanded immediate government intervention.

Aldrin Villanueva, a member of the Koalisyon ng mga Mangingisdang Apektado ng Oil Spill (KMAOS), spoke passionately about the plight of fisherfolk. “Fisherfolk face more than just storms—oil spills occur every time a ship sinks, and our catches are diminishing due to pollution and changing sea temperatures. Fishing is our livelihood, and losing it deprives our families of food.”

The Verde Island Passage, known as the world’s "center of marine biodiversity," is home to critical ecosystems that sustain life and mitigate climate change.

Advocates like Fr. Gariguez and Fr. Labay are calling for the protection of this global treasure, urging the government to shift away from fossil fuel projects and prioritize environmental conservation and community well-being.

This prayer rally underscores a growing movement that combines faith, community action, and advocacy to combat climate change and its devastating impacts. The participants’ collective voice is clear: protecting the environment is not just a necessity—it is a moral imperative. (MTV)