First District Cong. Edgar Chatto, chairman of the House Committee on Climate Change, lauded President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for bringing the issue on climate change to the forefront of global challenges that need to be addressed.
In his speech on Sept. 20, 2022 at the 77th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Marcos said that climate change is real and poses a clear and present danger, citing that the Philippines, which is not a major carbon emitter, ranks 4th among the most vulnerable country when it comes to the impact of climate change.
Marcos also called on industrialized countries to immediately fulfill their obligations under the UN framework convention on climate change and the Paris agreement on Greenhouse Gas Emissions, climate financing, and technology transfer.
“This threat knows no borders, no social class, geopolitical consideration. How we address will be the true test of our time,” Marcos stated in his speech.
Moreover, Chatto in a privilege speech back on Sept. 5, 2022, at the House of Representatives noted that Marcos’ policy for growth and development is carved within the context of alleviating the country’s vulnerabilities to climate change and extreme weather conditions.
“There is hope in the current administration’s governance direction with climate change as a priority agenda,” Chatto said.
It can be recalled that the House of Representatives passed House Resolution No. 123 – the country’s first national declaration on climate and environmental emergency; and adopted consolidated climate justice resolutions.
Marcos in his UNGA speech pointed out four existential global threats which include climate change, technological advancement, widening geopolitical polarities, and injustice.
The President expressed the Philippines’ commitment to the UN ideals of open, inclusive, and rules based on international order, while taking responsibility to do its part in sustainable growth and development.
This is the first time for a Philippine president to deliver an in-person address to the UNGA in 12 years.
Aside from his address at the UNGA, the President also has a number of bilateral meetings including those with Japanese prime minister Fumio Kisida, former United Kingdom prime minister Tony Blair, and US president Joe Biden, among other engagements.