Some environmental groups were disappointed with the contents of the second State of the Nation Address (SONA) by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
According to the group, SONA did not change the failing grade they gave in Marcos’ first year.
Because the president did not mention the issues related to nature that the government should focus on.
One of them is the reclamation issue, especially in Manila Bay.
“Kahit banggitin man lamang sana ang moratorium pero wala, malala ang sitwasyon natin sa reklamasyon,” said Jordan Fronda ng Center for Environmental Concerns Philippines Inc.
The group is also concerned about the president’s highlighted mega projects, such as mega dams, and mega bridges, which are said to impact the environment significantly.
According to Jon Bonifacio of Kalikasan PNE, the destination will be a mega-disaster.
“Ano ba ang hantungan nito kundi mega disaster para dun sa mga nakatira sa mga areas na ito, pagpapalayas sa mga tao, pagkasira ng mga ecosystem, etcetera. So yun ang nangyayari talaga sa realidad,” said Bonifacio.
Also read: Undesirable Japanese man arrested by BI
Environmental groups disappointed with Marcos Jr.’s SONA
One of the things the group waited for was the cases of some environmental defenders. But the president did not say this.
“It goes to show na hindi niya kinikilala yung pag-atake sa ating mga environmental defenders bilang isyu, siguro yung mga nakikita niya, yung mga nababasa niya reports sa tingin niya okay ang nangyayaring yun may mga pinapatay, may mga inaaresto, these are the people who are defending the land,” added Bonifacio.
The group added the president’s SONA is incomplete, not comprehensive and lacking.
“Halata na hindi niya priority ang environment sector sa nangyaring report to people o SONA na ginawa ni PBBM, hindi nabanggit ang mga kanina nating ini-expect kagaya ng pag amiyenda sa widldlife conservation act,” said Mark David De Guzman of One Pawikan.
Because of this, according to some environmental groups, they will continue to monitor the administration to promote the rights, especially of those who care for nature and provide proper care.
Visit our Facebook page for more news updates.