Ka Leody De Guzman to push for environmental defenders law

Ka Leody de Guzman has vowed to take steps to protect those defending the environment should he land a seat in the Senate.

According to a statement on Thursday, De Guzman was informed about an attempted break-in at the office of the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice on February 27 during a dialogue with local environmental defenders in Cebu.

As a response, De Guzman said that the government should protect individuals working to protect the environment.

The senatorial candidate also called for fellow candidates to pay attention to the fight against fossil fuel projects.

“Karapatang pantao at pangangalaga sa kalikasan ang dapat inaangklahan ng mga pinapasang batas, hindi ang interes ng malalaking negosyo na nagpapayaman sa pagsira sa kalikasan,” said De Guzman.

(Human rights and environmental conservation must be the core of the laws that are being passed, not the interest of large businesses that are thriving through the destruction of nature.)

“Habang tumitindi ang ating paglaban sa coal expansion at mga mapaminsalang proyekto, paparami ang kaso ng karahasan laban sa mga nagtatanggol sa kalikasan… Iilan na nga lang ang may malalim na dedikasyon para sa pangangalaga ng kalikasan, sila pa ang nalalagay sa panganib dahil sa mga korporasyong ang tanging nais ay tumubo at balewalain ang karapatan ng mga environmentalist at mga apektadong komunidad,” he added.

(While the fight against coal expansion and destructive projects are intensifying, cases of violence against environmental protectors are increasing… There are only a couple of people left who are dedicated to protecting the environment, but they are the ones being put in danger because of corporations who only wish to profit and disregard the rights of environmentalists and affected communities.)

Earlier, Ka Leody called for the support for rural women affected by economic hardships and the worsening effects of the climate crisis.

“Madalas nakakaligtaan ang pinagdadaanan ng mga kababaihan sa kanayunan, kailangan na itong pagtuunan ng pansin. Yung kawalan o kakulangan ng social mobility, job opportunities at sustenableng kabuhayan ay pinalalala pa ng hindi aksesibleng social protection programs ng gobyerno," De Guzman stated. 

(The struggles of women in the countryside are frequently ignored, and this must change. The lack of social mobility, job opportunities, and sustainable livelihoods is further exacerbated by the inaccessibility of government social protection programs.)

“Lalong pinabibigat ng krisis sa klima ang pinapasan ng mga kababaihan sa kanayunan. Ang mas matitinding mga bagyo, pagbaha at tagtuyot ay banta sa kanilang kabuhayan. May mga araw, linggo, umaabot pa nga minsan ng buwan na wala silang kinikita at walang option kundi mangutang, lalong nagiging bulnerable ang kanilang mga pamilya,” he continued.

(The climate crisis adds to the burdens of rural women. Stronger typhoons, floods, and droughts threaten their livelihoods. For days, weeks, and even months, they have no income and are left with no choice but to take on debt, making their families even more vulnerable.) —Jiselle Anne Casucian/AOL, GMA Integrated News

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