President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. mentioned in his inaugural speech on Thursday, June 30, that his administration will work on measures to address climate change and pollution.
Speaking at the National Museum, Marcos said countries “with much less” sustain more damages from climate change than richer nations.
“The rich world talks a great deal but does a lot less about it than those with much less, but have suffered more death and destruction from climate change and lack of adaptation,” he said.
The Chief Executive said the country will work with its partners in addressing climate change.
“We will look to our partners and friends to help the Philippines who, despite having very small carbon footprints, is at the highest risk,” he said. “First, spare victims then help them recover and move on to lessen the harmful impact of climate change. We too have our part to play.”
Marcos also noted that “large-scale practical solutions to pollution” have yet to emerge.
“But there are tried and proven new ways of mitigation. Blades have been turning over the sand dunes of Ilocos Norte, harnessing a power all around but unseen long before this day. I built them,” he said.
Citing international reports, he said the Philippines is the third largest plastic polluter. According to the World Bank, 20% of the 2.7 million tons of plastic waste each year in the Philippines ends up in the ocean.
The Philippines ranks fourth based on the Global Climate Index 2021 among countries affected by extreme weather from the year 2000 to 2019 globally, with an average of 20 tropical cyclones hitting the country every year. – Lynroe Francisco-ag
