TACLOBAN CITY – Fisherfolk communities, church groups, and environmental advocates commemorated the 11th anniversary of Super Typhoon Yolanda on Friday, calling for ‘the protection of coastal communities and fisheries from the climate crisis and rapid phasing out of fossil fuels that cause worse climate impacts.

In a fluvial activity led by BUGSAY, a newly founded coalition of Leyte fisherfolk, banners were waved to call for accountability and climate action during Typhoon Yolanda’s commemoration. A Waray term for ‘oar,’ BUGSAY aims to ‘set the direction for the progress and development of the fisheries sector in Leyte’.

“Eastern Visayas’ geographical location is a double-edged sword. While the region is home to key marine areas, it is also on the path of the typhoon belt. The worsening climate crisis exposes fisherfolk and communities who rely on the abundance of the sea to vulnerabilities from intensifying climate impacts,” said Griderick Alila, Visayas Coordinator of the Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED).

Tacloban was the ground zero of Super Typhoon ‘Yolanda’, then labeled as the deadliest typhoon cyclone to hit the world. Weeks ahead of the anniversary, back-to-back typhoons ‘Kristine’, ‘Leon’, and ‘Marce’ also hit the country, with severe devastation and a death toll of over 150.

Citing analysis done by CEED, Alila added that Eastern Visayas’ reliance on coal-fired power plants is ‘ironic to a region confronting critical climate realities’. CEED also highlighted the region’s immense potential to transition to cleaner energy sources with the capability to achieve nearly 100% renewable energy.

“Moves to further increase the use of dirty energy in the region go against lessons learned from Typhoon Yolanda. Eastern Visayas houses one of the strongest geothermal power sources in the country, yet coal’s share in the contracted capacity mix still increased from 50% in 2013 to nearly 90% in 2022,” Alila explained.

Fisherfolk communities also expressed their opposition to the planned construction of a P3.4 billion causeway project connecting Tacloban City proper and Barangay San Jose, stating that the project will ‘destroy the thriving ecosystem that helps both the communities and the environment’.

“Habang tumatagal, lalong lumalala ang sitwasyon ng mga mangingisda dito. Paunti nang paunti ang nahuhuli namin tuwing tag-init, at mas lalong nagiging delikado ang pangingisda kung panahon na ng mga bagyo at banta ng mga nakakasirang proyekto gaya ng planong coastway sa Cancabato Bay,” BUGSAY Convenor Dario Magason said.

“Kabuhayan namin at ang kinabukasan namin ang nakasalalay sa pangingisda. Hindi mawala-wala ang takot na baka maulit muli ang lupit gaya ng Yolanda, kahit 11 na taon na ang lumipas,” Magason added.

The commemoration of the deadly typhoon comes just days ahead of the 29th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, where world leaders are due to discuss key issues including climate finance and a just energy transition.

“Nature has not failed to remind us of the harsh impacts triggered by the abuse of its abundance. Typhoon Yolanda’s lessons will always be timeless for a country known to be in a critical position due to the climate crisis. May these lessons be translated into genuine collective action, by our government and world leaders, who must let go of their insistence on dirty fossil fuels. Their responsibility is to protect our Common Home and vulnerable communities,” said Ronald Abao, Caritas Social Action Commission Program Manager in Leyte. ###

PRESS RELEASE
November 8, 2024

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