PMCJ joins network for green jobs, green growth promotion, signs MOU with NAPC, other orgs
- Media Communications
- Apr 29
- 3 min read
Quezon City, Philippines — The Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ), National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), Caritas Philippines Inc., Fair Trade Alliance, Homenet Multipurpose Cooperative Inc., and Pambansang Kalipunan ng mga Manggagawang Impormal sa Pilipinas (PATAMABA), who constitute the CSO Network on Green Growth and Green Jobs for Informal Sectors (CSO Network), signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Apr. 30, 2026, signifying their commitment to advancing environmental justice and inclusive development.
The MOU aims to establish a framework for the CSO Network to promote and advocate for the full implementation of Republic Act No. 10771, or the Philippine Green Jobs Act of 2016.
“We welcome the NAPC’s effort to properly involve the CSOs that actively engage with communities, vulnerable and informal sectors, and groups, and address issues being faced by the marginalized sectors. For a climate justice group that pushes for systemic change, green economic transition is a key priority. The just transition, which has achieved consensus among member states under the Conference of Parties (COP), serves as a framework towards the Philippines economic and social transformation amidst the challenges posed by climate, economic, and other externalities. The green jobs green growth agenda, which we hope will be achieved with NAPC, will become a common climate action platform that will secure the basic sectors from the crises,” said Ian Rivera, PMCJ national coordinator.
Laica Rayel, PMCJ food, land, water, and climate (FLWC) senior campaign officer, stressed that the engagement, albeit late, is important and substantive. “Most of the programs run by the government are oblique in addressing the actual situation of the informal and marginalized sectors and groups. Take, for example, agriculture, which has been severely battered by a series of extreme weather events: Department of Agriculture programs run incoherently with what is needed. But first, we must do away with barriers and obstacles to a meaningful consultative process,” Rayel lamented.
Elle Bartolome, PMCJ policy, campaigns, and communications lead, recalled how some government agencies failed to inform and include CSOs and people’s organizations in the crafting of various essential frameworks.
“In February 2026, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources gave the public five days to comment on the draft Just Transition Framework. Even though we (the PMCJ) managed to turn in our comments, it is still not sufficient for a thorough review. The public’s input should not be treated as an afterthought, as we, especially the marginalized sectors, bear the brunt of the multiple crises, and therefore are well-versed on the real solutions,” Bartolome explained.
Inter-Agency Talakayan for Policy Refinement and Inclusive Implementation of the Green Jobs Acts was also held. The Talakayan aims to re-orient state efforts toward the basic sectors, with particular attention to those engaged in the informal economy.
“The MOU ceremonial signing and the Talakayan are timely, in light of the upcoming Labor Day. Workers have an extremely significant role in our journey toward just transition to RE. Not only were they expected to build the industry by and for our people, but their interests must also reflect the fair society that we aim for. Big corporations are boasting about their RE plans while still engaging with the fossil fuel industry, contradicting themselves in the name of profit. We have nothing but huge expectations from NAPC and the CSO Network in staying true to and relying on the basic sector’s voice and interests. We are excited for more collaborations to commence in pursuit of genuine energy transition and societal change,” Rivera ended. ###
For inquiries, contact:
Sheila Abarra
Senior Media and Communications Officer
Philippine Movement for Climate Justice
Viber: +63-991-669-2356
WhatsApp: +63-938-089-8327
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