Philippines: Greenpeace Clean Energy Parade Calls for Passage of Renewable Energy Bill

Manila, 8 December 2007–Hundreds of students, bikers, runners,
volunteers, and supporters in Renewable Energy-themed costumes called
for the immediate passage of the Renewable Energy Bill as they marched
around the Quezon Memorial Circle to take part in the Global Day of
Action Against Climate Change.

The Greenpeace Clean Energy Parade is but one of many simultaneous
public activities happening around the world demanding urgent action to
address climate change. The Global Day of Action against Climate Change
is targeted at world governments now convening in Bali for the UN
Climate Change Conference where negotiations are ongoing on a range of
measures to curb greenhouse gas emissions and avert the dire impacts
predicted to result from climate change.

In the Philippines, the parade in Quezon City, as well as a simultaneous
mobilization in Iloilo City, called on the government to fast-track the
passage of the Renewable Energy (RE) Bill and help catalyze a massive
shift away from the use of climate change-inducing fossil fuels.

“Government action on the Renewable Energy (RE) Bill has been extremely
disappointing, considering how government officials, including Energy
Secretary Angelo Reyes and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo herself,
keep on repeating that the bill is a priority. Today we are challenging
the government to go beyond superficial tokenism, and to demonstrate
with clear actions that they are taking important steps to mainstream
genuine climate change solutions,” said Greenpeace Southeast Asia
Campaigns Director Von Hernandez.

Developing countries are projected to suffer the worst impacts of
climate change, according to experts. In the Philippines, climate change
has manifested itself through extreme weather events, which have caused
disasters resulting in the death of thousands and economic losses in
billions.

Currently, the government continues to be shamefully remiss in ensuring
the approval of the RE Bill, despite the fact that the country has
considerable renewable energy potential from wind and solar power which
for the most part remained largely untapped.

Last year, the 13th Congress failed to take the opportunity to enact the
crucial bill into law. Worse, the government continues to promote the
establishment of dirty coal power plants which will lock the country in
a dirty energy cycle for many years.

Committee hearings on the Renewable Energy Bill in the House of
Representatives only started two weeks ago, while similar proceedings
in the Senate have yet to commence. The Senate Committee on Energy is
chaired by Sen. Miriam Defensor whose chief counterpart in the House is
Rep. Mikee Arroyo.

“Investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy is a win-win
solution. Providing the right policy incentives for the development of
renewable energy systems in the country would liberate us from our
addiction to dirty fossil fuels. More importantly, it will help in
global efforts to avert an impending climate catastrophe which now
threatens to undermine our future,” added Hernandez.

Greenpeace is an independent global campaigning organization that acts
to change attitudes and behavior, to protect and conserve the
environment and to promote peace.

For more information:
Von Hernandez, Campaigns Director, +63 917 526 3050
Jasper Inventor, Climate and Energy Campaigner, +63 917 300 9567
Lea Guerrero, Media Campaigner, +63 920 950 6877

IMPORTANT NOTICE: INBOX is an archive of press releases, statements, announcements, letters to the editors, and manifestos sent to PinoyPress for publication. Please email your materials to pinoypress @ gmail.com. PinoyPress is not responsible for the content of these materials. The opinion expessed in these items does not reflect those of PinoyPress and its staff. Please refer to our terms of use/disclaimer.