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Filipino Catholic Church and aid groups have launched relief efforts as flooding and bad weather triggered by Typhoon Gaemi left at last 21 dead and displaced over 1.3 million
I via UCA News
At least 21 died and over 1.3 million were displaced in flooding triggered by Typhoon Gaemi
UCA News: The presidential announcement of a total ban on China-backed online casinos linked to illicit activities has been welcomed by Filipino Catholic Church and civil society leaders.
Catholic bishops said the ban on POGOs ‘is good for our country,’ and the ‘best decision’ by Marcos Jr.
Caritas Philippines has extended help and activities have questioned the government for the death of eight people in the torrential rains after three weather patterns confluence.
I via UCA News
Three weather patterns hit almost at once paralyzing the capital and various provinces across the country
READ: President Ferdinand R. shared Marcos Jr. the government's actions in relation to Typhoon . (Presidential Communications Office)
To counter President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s claim during his third state of the nation address on July 22, rights activists have documented the deaths of at least 15 persons.
I via UCA News
More than 700 people have been killed, they said to counter Marcos Jr's claim the crackdown has turned bloodless
Church officials, rights and civil society groups in the Philippines have called on the president to address critical issues like rising poverty, hunger, violence n climate change.
I via UCA News
Nation facing debilitating economic crisis, rising fascism, lack of accountability, and endless infighting, says activist
Catholic-majority Philippines and China have agreed to address maritime disputes in the South China Sea a day after an archbishop embarked on a fluvial procession on July 16.
I via UCA News
The Philippines and China have agreed to set up new communication channels to address the maritime dispute
The Filipino media fraternity has expressed pain over the closure of a leading community newspaper serving readers in Baguio city and its neighborhood in the northern Luzon region.
I via UCA News
The Baguio Midland Courier has a long history of public service to its readers in Baguio city
READ: 𝐏𝐁𝐁𝐌 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐦𝐩
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. extended his well wishes to former US president Donald Trump, who was rushed offstage due to an assassination attempt during his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday.
I via Presidential Communications Office
: Climate justice movement reacts to Loss and Damage Fund board appointing the Philippines as host country
The Board of the newly established Loss and Damage Fund unanimously decided on Tuesday afternoon, July 9, 2024, that the Philippines would serve as the Board’s host country.
The Board announced the decision after hours of closed-door discussions on the first day of the Fund’s second board meeting taking place in Incheon, Korea.
Besides the Philippines, the countries that submitted proposals to host the Board were Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Bahamas, Barbados, Eswatini, Kenya, and Togo.
“We welcome the Loss and Damage Fund Board’s decision to select the Philippines as its host country,” said Lidy Nacpil, coordinator of the Asian Peoples’ Movement on Debt and Development.
“The Philippines, as a country that is extremely vulnerable to loss and damage, should demonstrate political leadership in demanding the governments of developed countries to fulfill their historical, legal, and moral obligation to provide reparations for climate devastation. Developed countries should deliver trillions of grants-based finance, not the shameful millions they have pledged thus far,” she said.
In a statement, Nacpil added that "it's unacceptable that the Fund has received only 661.39 million USD in pledges when loss and damage will cost 447 to 894 billion USD a year by 2030."
"It’s particularly shameful that the United States has pledged only 17.5 million USD when they’re the largest historical emitter of greenhouse gasses and therefore most responsible for the climate crisis. The Philippines should join the rest of the Global South in demanding trillions, not millions, in climate finance from the developed countries who’ve pushed us to the brink of climate chaos," she said.
While the Philippines will serve as the Board’s host country, the Fund’s secretariat will be housed at the World Bank, its interim host for the next four years. In response to the World Bank’s role, climate justice movements in the Global South are pushing for the Fund’s independence from its host, citing the Bank’s history of financing fossil fuel projects, supplying billions in trade finance to oil and gas projects as recently as 2022, and preference for loans with conditions.
“The World Bank, after all, is a bank whose governance and operations is dominated by the governments of developed countries. This makes it unfit to run a Fund whose primary financial instrument should be grants, not loans, and whose mission is to serve the self-determined needs of developing countries,” said Nacpil.
“The Philippines must stand firm for a Loss and Damage Fund that is democratic and independent of the World Bank. As interim host, the World Bank should not compromise the integrity of the Fund’s operations and decision-making,” added Nacpil.
To ensure this, the participation of civil society organizations at the Fund’s board meetings is crucial.
“We call on the Board to encourage and facilitate a mechanism that ensures the active and meaningful engagement of civil society organizations in all Loss and Damage Fund processes and decisions." (APMDD/PR)
File photo
: On the 8th Anniversary of Hague Ruling, advocates led by Akbayan call for the declaration of July 12 as “West Philippine Sea Day” in a protest rally in Quezon City, Philippines on July 12, 2024.
Akbayan president Rafaela David said in a press release: “It’s been eight years since the country’s momentous victory on the international stage. And we’re here to do more than commemorate (the decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague). By declaring July 12 of every year as West Philippine Sea Day, we strengthen the collective memory of our fellow Filipinos and remind one another that the stakes are very real.”
“The consequences impact our economy, our national security, and the lives of the people that depend on the WPS for their livelihood,” David said.
I Photos by Jimmy A. Domingo via Ronald Reyes
: Republican presidential candidate, former U.S. President Donald Trump is rushed offstage by U.S. Secret Service after a shooting during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. According to Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger, the suspected gunman is dead after injuring former President Trump, killing one audience member and injuring at least one other. In a statement, the U.S. Secret Service said “the former President is safe.” I July 13, 2024 I 📷: .money I Getty Images
Text and Photos by Getty Images
: 'ATIN ANG WEST PHILIPPINE SEA!'
Akbayan and other Filipino advocacy groups push for the declaration of July 12 as "West Philippine Sea Day" during the protest rally in Quezon City on Friday, July 12, 2024. I Video by Jimmy A. Domingo/Mata: Asia Press Photo via Ronald Reyes
UCA News: Maasin Cathedral declared national shrine
Read more: https://bit.ly/498WYkY
Diocese of Maasin Diocese of Maasin - Commission on Social Communications Maasin Diocese Catechetical Synod on Synodality - Diocese of Maasin
CONGRATULATIONS, THE SCIENCE NET!
The Science Net, the official publication of the Philippine Science High School (PSHS)-Eastern Visayas Campus in Palo, Leyte, bagged 1st Place in the Science and Technology page category for school papers, out of 170 student publications, at this year's Department of Education (DepEd)-led National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) in Cebu City on Thursday, July 10, 2024.
Publication Adviser Jerry Serdeña, together with DepEd-Eastern Visayas Journalism Supervisor Dean Ric Endriano and The Science Net staffers, received the award during the Secondary School Paper Awarding Ceremony held in Carcar City, Cebu. I Contributed photos via Ronald Reyes/Sunstar Philippines
UCA News: Catholics in the Philippines are elated after a 17th century cathedral, Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of the Assumption, was conferred with the status of a national shrine.
https://www.ucanews.com/.../maasin-cathedral-in.../105650
A large number of pilgrims are expected to visit the 17th century national shrine
Let's Go Northern Samar 🎊🎉❤️
Catch Gigi de Lana together with Gigi Vibes Band on August 20, 2024 at Provincial Capitol Gym.
𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭:
𝐌𝐬. 𝐈𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐂. 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐱𝐭 𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 - 𝟎𝟗𝟔𝟏 𝟑𝟑𝟖 𝟖𝟓𝟎𝟔
Kita Kits 😍😘💕👍
I via Enigma Events & Production, Inc.
: PAYTACA ROLLS OUT CRYPTO-WALLET APP IN CEBU
Paytaca Inc., the first Financial Technology Application (FinTech App) developed in Eastern Visayas region, has successfully launched its Bitcoin Cash (B*H) wallet app in Cebu City on July 7, 2024.
“Starting with this launch, we hope to grow the marketplace and our network of partner merchants in Cebu from now on,” said Paytaca CEO Dr. Joemar Taganna.
He added that the use of B*H, though the Paytaca app, reduces payment processing and costs, “letting us offer an online marketplace with lower prices and fees than competitors.”
“We bring this benefit to every city we enter, including Cebu. Our POS app also enables fast, almost zero-fee B*H payments for brick-and-mortar stores, saving merchants from the fees associated with credit cards and e-wallets,” Taganna told Sunstar Philippines.
Aaron JP Almadro, Paytaca chief marketing officer, thanked the attendees and their Cebu partner merchants during the launching activity at the Robinsons Galleria Cebu.
“It was both scary and exhilarating to hold a launch at a new city, and Cebu, at that was on a whole different level. The team didn't know what to expect, but the Cebuano crowd was attentive and inquisitive,” said Almadro.
“It was fun introducing Paytaca to our new found friends and we look forward to being a partner in the drive for a truly cashless, decentralized, and seamless payment system,” he added.
As a mobile app that administers cashless payment transactions between a user and merchant, Paytaca is using a blockchain technology that guarantees a virtually tamper-proof recording of transaction.
Paytaca Chief Finance Officer Jomari Abellar was also amazed at how the Cebuanos "are welcoming and receptive to the idea of using cryptocurrency, particularly Bitcoin Cash, as a mode of payment for day-to-day transactions."
"We have not even officially launched yet in Cebu, but we have already onboarded several Cebu-based merchants. What amused me more was when I saw Cebuanos, young and old, installing Paytaca and trying to use it through our vending machine," he said.
After their launching in cities of Tacloban, Ormoc, and Cebu, Paytaca also aims to capture the market in Metro Manila and abroad, specially in countries in South America and Africa.
Almadro earlier said that they aim to be a payment option for utilities, banking transactions, and then large-scale businesses like commercial malls and convenience stores.
As the 2021 champion for the Philippines Start Up Challenge in the region, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Eastern Visayas lauded Paytaca "for its commitment to harnessing technology to create an ecosystem that empowers businesses and individuals alike."
In 2023, Paytaca bagged the Innovation Champion and Outstanding Trailblazer Award at the 1st Leyte GULF Business Awards by the Tacloban-Leyte chapter of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) at the Oriental Hotel and Resort in Palo, Leyte. (By Ronald Reyes)
Photo by Sunstar/File
: PAYTACA SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHES BITCOIN CASH WALLET APP IN CEBU
Paytaca Inc., the first Financial Technology (FinTech) application developed in Eastern Visayas region, has successfully launched its Bitcoin Cash (B*H) wallet app in Cebu City on Sunday, July 7, 2024
"Starting with this launch, we hope to grow the marketplace and our network of partner merchants in Cebu from now," said Paytaca CEO Dr. Joemar Taganna.
Aaron JP Almadro, Paytaca chief marketing officer, thanked the attendees and their Cebu partner merchants during the launching activity at the Robinson Galleria Cebu.
They also looked forward to being a "partner in the drive for a truly cashless, decentralized, and seamless payment system."
As a mobile application that administers cashless payment transactions between a user and merchant, Paytaca is using a blockchain technology that guarantees a virtually tamper-proof recording of transactions.
Paytaca Chief Finance Officer Jomari Abellar was also amazed at how the Cebuanos "are welcoming and receptive to the idea of using cryptocurrency, particularly Bitcoin Cash, as a mode of payment for day-to-day transactions."
"We have not even officially launched yet in Cebu, but we have already onboarded several Cebu-based merchants. What amused me more was when I saw Cebuanos, young and old, installing Paytaca and trying to use it through our vending machine," he said.
After their successful launching in the cities of Tacloban, Ormoc, and Cebu, Paytaca also aimed to capture the market in Metro Manila and abroad, specifically in countries in South America and Africa.
Almadro earlier said that they aim to be a payment option for utilities, banking transactions, and large-scale businesses like commercial malls and convenience stores.
As the 2021 champion for the Philippines Start Up Challenge in the region, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Eastern Visayas lauded Paytaca "for its commitment to harnessing technology to create an ecosystem that empowers businesses and individuals alike."
In 2023, Paytaca bagged the Innovation Champion and Outstanding Trailblazer Award at the 1st Leyte GULF Business Awards by the Tacloban-Leyte chapter of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) at the Oriental Hotel and Resort in Palo, Leyte. I Contributed photos via Ronald Reyes
CALL FOR ENTRIES: TABONTABON 1-DAY MEN’S VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE 2024
The Tabontabon One-Day Men’s Volleyball League in Tabontabon town, Leyte, is now calling for entries for this year’s open invitational tournament for men on July 19 at the municipal gymnasium.
“The tournament is an inclusive, non-discriminatory event that welcomes men of all ages (except children below 12 years old) and abilities, creating a unique platform for participation, learning, and development,” said Ariem Cinco, tournament organizer.
Registration is open until July 15, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. The registration fee is P700.00, and the cash bond is P300.00. Major prizes and special awards will be given to the winners.
The teams shall register online through this link: https://forms.gle/VWkMjwQh4hpWakFbA, or through the page Tabontabon Ace Spikers.
Participating teams must submit their team photo upon registration online. The same photo will be shown in a team gallery. Non-submission of a team photo means forfeiture of the registration fee, and the team may not be allowed to play.
The cash bond will be returned to the participating teams after the closing program on July 19. It will only be returned to teams that attend the parade, solidarity meeting, and preliminary activities.
The registration fee is non-refundable. Walk-in registration on the day of the league, July 19, is not allowed.
The Tabontabon One-Day Men’s Volleyball League, a project under Cinco’s “CELLS: Cultivating Education for Love of Life through Sports,” will serve as a platform for teams to benchmark good playing practices, exchange experiences and expertise on the hard court, develop camaraderie among teams, elevate the standard of games in the region, promote inclusivity and non-discrimination among men of varied orientations, encourage physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle, provide a platform for talent discovery, strengthen community ties, and offer a competitive yet friendly and fun environment.
For more information, contact Ariem Venezuela Cinco at 09452378066.
Caritas Philippines joined global celebrities for the protection of the Masungi Georeserve, a famed conservation area and a rustic rock garden tucked in the rainforests.
I via UCA News
https://www.ucanews.com/.../caritas-celebrities.../105629
The state-run environmental body wants to cancel a 2017 deal that established the Masungi Georeserve
Filipino civil society groups call for release of more than 90 elderly prisoners who have been languishing in jails after being convicted of alleged political charges.
https://www.ucanews.com/news/call-for-release-of-elderly-filipino-political-prisoners/105592
I via UCA News
There are about 90 elderly prisoners serving sentences across the country, rights groups said
: CHANGAN AUTO TACLOBAN's SHOWROOM GRAND OPENING
Ahlyx Belleza, Manager of Changan Auto Tacloban, has spearheaded the grand opening of the dealership's showroom in Barangay 91, Maharlika Highway, Tacloban City.
The new showroom boasts a groundbreaking array of sedans and SUVs, offering an exciting experience for walk-in visitors eager to see the latest models up close.
The event was graced by Changan Auto top industry leaders, including Maricar Parco, General Manager of Changan Auto Philippines; Jun Cajayon Jr., Sales and Network Development Head of Changan Auto Philippines; Daryl Deita, Retail Sales and Operations Manager of Changan Auto Philippines; Kenneth Huan, Executive Vice President of Global Star Motors; and Hans Villamor, Group Sales and Marketing Manager for Changan Auto, Global Star Motors. I Contributed photos via Ronald Reyes
: LABOR GROUPS CALL FOR WEALTH TAX, WAGE INCREASE
Leaders from various cause-oriented and civil society organizations have called for wealth tax and a P750 legislated daily wage increase ahead of the third State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. this July.
“For a long time, our labor and mass movement has been asserting that the global worsening of inequality is not a natural occurrence, but rather the result of political decisions made by governments in many countries worldwide,” the Asian Peoples' Movement for Debt and Development (APMDD) said in a statement.
APMDD, along with Bukluran ng Manggangawang Pilipino (BMP), Oriang, SUPER Federation, Freedom From Debt Coalition, Teacher's Dignity Coalition (TDC), at Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM), held a forum on June 29, 2024 in Quezon City to consolidate the demands for wealth tax and wage increase.
“These decisions favor large corporations and the wealthy, and run counter to the interests of workers and the masses. One way elitist governments favor their own kind is through the tax system. The Philippines has a regressive tax system: in 2021, 22% of national internal revenue – the largest portion collected that year – came from Value-Added Taxation (VAT), while corporate income tax contributed only 17% to the revenue stream,” it added.
According to APMDD, another 20% was also collected from various taxes on essential goods, such as petroleum excise tax.
“In the context of global inequality, labor and mass movements in many countries advocate for a wealth tax as part of reversing elitist tax systems. A wealth tax is levied on the total value of all assets owned by the wealthiest individuals in a country,” it added.
Among the group leaders who joined the forum were Leody de Guzman, president of PLM; lawyer Luke Espiritu, president of BMP; Benjo Basas, chairperson of TDC; and Jeannie Manipon, senior program manager of APMDD. (PR/APMDD)
Photo by Jimmy Domingo
: Various cause-oriented groups called for the implementation of wealth tax and a P750 legislated daily wage increase during a forum in Quezon City on June 29, 2024. I Video by Jimmy Domingo
: The Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued a public statement regarding the extradition request filed by the government in the Court of Appeals of Timor-Leste against fugitive lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr. I Photo from PCO
: Various cause-oriented organizations gather on Saturday, June 29, 2024, to demand for the implementation of wealth tax and a P750 legislated daily wage hike ahead of the third State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. this July. I Photos by Jimmy Domingo
: Japanese Megabanks Told to Stop Deceiving the Public on Climate Action
Climate campaigners slammed three of Japan’s megabanks for deceiving the public and their shareholders into believing that they are pursuing decarbonization policies when in fact they are financing some of the world’s biggest fossil fuel projects, most of which are found in Asia, a statement from Asian Peoples’ Movement on Debt and Development said on June 26, 2024.
“The Japanese megabanks must walk the talk when it comes to climate action. They cannot pledge to decarbonize and yet continue to finance gas projects and false energy solutions like CCUS and ammonia co-firing,” said Lidy Nacpil, coordinator of the regional alliance APMDD.
“Their financing for climate-wrecking fossil fuel projects could have been spent for a direct, rapid, and just transition to renewable energy. Instead, these Japanese banks choose to prioritize their selfish, narrow corporate interests over the welfare of people and the planet.” Nacpil added.
Data from a recently released report shows that for the year 2023 alone, Mizuho Financial funneled $5.7 billion to gas power expansion companies worldwide, making it the No. 1 financier of gas projects. On the other hand, MUFG ($512 million) and SMBC ($281 million) ranked first and third, respectively, as financiers of ultra-deepwater oil and gas extraction companies.
According to the group, the same report states that the three Japanese megabanks now outrank top global banks and investment firms like JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, and Bank of America when it comes to funding gas projects and related extraction activities.
APMDD also took to task Mizuho, MUFG, and SMBC for rejecting their shareholders’ proposals to properly disclose and report on the progress of their transition plans to comply with the internationally agreed pathway to limit global warming to 1.5C.
Like in previous years, climate advocates belonging to more than 100 organizations are once again sending a letter to the three Japanese megabanks to pressure them to phase out fossil fuel projects in their lending portfolios.
“The support given by the three megabanks to fossil fuels is a losing proposition. Market indicators point to the fact that gas demand throughout the world is set to decline by 1% annually through 2026. Therefore, financing more facilities of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) will not give the expected returns and will only serve to burden the shareholders,” said Sharif Jamil of Waterkeepers Alliance in Bangladesh.
A briefing paper released by the Global Energy Monitor last December cautioned against an LNG oversupply and called investments in the sector “risky.” Asia and Europe lead in LNG import development.
The Philippines ranks Top 4 in Asia with 21 mtpa (metric tons per year) of LNG buildout - after China, India, and Taiwan, APMDD said. (APMDD/PR)
Photo by Elmer Valenzuela
: Filipino climate activist hold symbolic protest actions in Manila on June 26, 2024, urging Japanese banks to stop financing alleged fossil fuel projects in Asia. I video by Elmer Valenzuela
: Filipino climate campaigners from Asian Peoples’ Movement on Debt and Development and allied groups stage a protest rally to denounce fossil fuel projects in Asia on June 26, 2024. I Photo by Elmer Valenzuela
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#WATCH: 'ATIN ANG WEST PHILIPPINE SEA!' Akbayan and other Filipino advocacy groups push for the declaration of July 12 as "West Philippine Sea Day" during the protest rally in Quezon City on Friday, July 12, 2024. I Video by Jimmy A. Domingo/Mata: Asia Press Photo via Ronald Reyes
#WATCH: Various cause-oriented groups called for the implementation of wealth tax and a P750 legislated daily wage increase during a forum in Quezon City on June 29, 2024. I Video by Jimmy Domingo
#WATCH: Filipino climate activist hold symbolic protest actions in Manila on June 26, 2024, urging Japanese banks to stop financing alleged fossil fuel projects in Asia. I video by Elmer Valenzuela
#WATCH: The 6th annual "Lechon Kumbira" in Ormoc City, Leyte on June 24, 2024 was a celebration of culinary excellence and cultural heritage. The event featured 15 lechon vendors competing in categories like crispiness, taste, aroma, and presentation. Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez and her husband, Congressman Richard Gomez, attended the festival. Edgardo Sasing's Lechon Vendor took first place, winning P70,000, while Edy's Lechon House and Poldang's Lechon Retailing secured second and third places, respectively. The festival, a highlight of Ormoc's annual fiesta, underscored the city's reputation as a food destination in the Eastern Visayas region.
#WATCH: International tax justice campaigners from Asia and other parts of the world gathered recently to discuss the ongoing negotiations at the United Nations for a Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation (UN Tax Convention). In a statement, they said that a “strong UN Tax Convention is urgently needed to ‘rewrite’ global tax rules that have for so long worked against the interests of developing countries and marginalized sectors and communities.” I Video by Elmer Valenzuela
#WATCHL Philippine climate campaigners staged a rally outside the U.S. Embassy on June 11, 2024 to call on the leaders of the Group of 7 (G7) to deliver climate finance to developing countries in anticipation of the 50th G7 Summit on June 13. The march was conducted as part of a series of protests across South and Southeast Asia and led by the Asian Peoples’ Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD), whose campaigners have been calling for climate finance that will enable developing countries to address climate change. I Video by Asia Press Photo
#WATCH: Climate campaigners demonstrate in front of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) headquarters in Mandaluyong City on June 5, 2024 calling on the delegates to the 19th Asia Clean Energy Forum (ACEF) to enable Asia’s rapid transition to renewable energy systems by 2050. “We urge ACEF to walk its talk on accelerating the clean energy transition, to go beyond discussion of insights and approaches that accelerate the clean energy transition and instead act as a forum to push and enable Asian countries to achieve fossil fuel phase out by 2035 and just and equitable transition to 100% renewables by 2050,” said Lidy Nacpil, coordinator of Asian Peoples’ Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD). Nacpil added: “In Asia, millions of people still have no access to electricity while many more are making do with dirty fuel that lead to premature deaths or with unreliable but costly electricity. We must strive to transition to clean energy that can provide accessible and affordable power for all. This is to avoid a climate catastrophe as well as to support the development of people and communities.” ADB, along with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Korea Energy Agency (KEA), is reportedly hosting hundreds of clean energy practitioners from Asia for the 19th ACEF from June 3 to 7. The theme of this year’s ACEF is “Accelerating the Clean Energy Transition and Ensuring Energy Security and Affordability – Time for Urgent Action Now”. Participants include government agencies, private sector, equipment and service providers, financiers, philanthropic organizations, researchers and non-governmental organizations. Video by Asia Press Photo
#WATCH: Protesters trooped to the Japan Embassy in Manila on Monday to call on Japanese government to stop fuel gas expansion projects in Asia.
#WATCH: Filipino advocacy and activist groups joined the Asia-wide candlelight vigils and gathered in front of the Commission on Human Rights headquarters on May 28 to listen to the stories of Filipino-Palestinian refugees, who were evacuated from Gaza in November 2023 and are now living in Metro Manila. The groups joined the Asia-wide call for the immediate ceasefire in Palestine as Israel intensifies its ground invasion of Rafah, where 1.4 million Palestinians are reportedly sheltering from Israel’s months-long bombardment of the Gaza Strip. I Video by Jann Bonifacio
#WATCH: Thousands of Filipinos participate in the Pedal for People and Planet in UP Diliman, Quezon City. The event, organized by the Asian Peoples' Movement on Debt and Development in coordination with the University of the Philippines and Quezon City Government and other civil society organizations on May 19, highlighted the demand for 100% Renewable Energy, which is urgently required to keep the planet’s average temperature below 1.5 degrees centigrade. I Video by Jimmy Domingo
#WATCH: Filipino multi-sectoral groups launched protest actions recently to demand debt cancellation amid the annual IMF-World Bank meetings in Washington DC, USA. I Video by Elmer Valenzuela
#WATCH: Climate advocates staged a rally in front of the US embassy in Manila on April 11, calling on both the US and Japan to “Stop Dirty Energy Plans” in Asia, including the construction of more “planet-wrecking gas plants” as well as the promotion of false solutions to counter climate change. I Video by Jimmy Domingo
