Faith-based and environmental organizations have denounced the Philippine Congress’s approval of the Philippine National Gas Industry Development Act, warning that the measure could exacerbate climate change and harm the country’s fragile ecosystems.
The bill’s passage came as the Philippines grapples with an unprecedented series of typhoons—four in just a month—highlighting the escalating consequences of climate change fueled by fossil fuel emissions.
“Gas produces methane, which is 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere in a 20-year period. It is not at all a ‘cleaner’ alternative,” said Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of San Carlos.
Alminaza, vice president of Caritas Philippines and convenor of WagGas, a network of communities advocating against gas projects in the Philippines, said the most vulnerable communities are “already feeling the effects of worsening climate disasters.”
The prelate criticized the decision to prioritize fossil fuel development, asserting that it disregards the welfare of the nation’s most vulnerable populations.
“A holistic consideration of all the effects of further use of fossil fuels such as gas would have shown that their development would run counter to the interests of the country and would benefit only a few, leaving the poorest of the poor to deal with the aftermath,” he said.
Environmental advocates also expressed concerns about the bill’s impact on the Verde Island Passage (VIP), a globally significant marine biodiversity hotspot.
Fr. Edwin Gariguez, convenor of Protect VIP, warned of the dangers posed by increased maritime traffic and pollution.
“It is unfortunate that our senators listened to the energy company lobby and considered only short-term numbers such as profits and loss. This bill will increase the direct threat to marine seascape Verde Island Passage (VIP) from the traffic of more ships and tankers, and the emissions of power plants using gas,” Gariguez said.
Gerry Arances, convenor of the Power for People Coalition (P4P), highlighted the broader implications of expanding gas use.
“Methane produced by these gas-powered plants would exacerbate the calamities we continue to suffer from, not to mention increase the cost of electricity for consumers and reduce the country’s energy independence,” he said.
Advocates call on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to veto the measure, particularly as the Philippines participates in the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Baku.
Alminaza, who is attending the conference, underscored the need to align national policies with the country’s commitments under the 2015 Paris Agreement.
“We have been calling for the junking of this bill through dialogues, letters, and even attendance during hearings, but it seems the voice of the people always falls on deaf ears when it comes to the Senate and Congress. There is no place for gas in the Philippines, and we call on the allies of the people and environment to stand with us against this destructive fuel,” said Alminaza.
