Zamboanga multisec groups urge city LGU to declare climate emergency

Media Communications
6 days ago
3 min read

Zamboanga City, Philippines — Climate Leaders Inspiring Meaningful Actions (CLIMA), a broad coalition based in Zamboanga City, held a symbolic signing of a climate emergency declaration, highlighting the need for the city local government unit (LGU) to take climate action. The signing was conducted on June 5, 2026, World Environment Day.

Among the organizations and formations of CLIMA, led by the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ), are Katilingban sa Kalambuan, Inc., Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology, Supreme Student Council Society of the Philippines, Youth Solidarity for Peace, Ateneo for the Center for Environment and Sustainability, Youth for Climate Justice-Zamboanga, Saint Joseph the Working Parish Church, and Social Action Center-Zamboanga City.

“The declaration directly responds to accelerating climate-induced disasters in the region. Through a joint resolution, CLIMA urges the Zamboanga City LGU to implement immediate systemic changes. We cannot stress enough the need to immediately address the climate-driven issues our area faces. The city has historically been beset by natural disasters, which are exacerbated by human-induced climate change. We need to address these, as well as ensure that the energy needs of the city come from clean, affordable, and renewable sources,” said Sister Marilou Montalban of Social Action Center-Zamboanga City.

In April 2026, Zamboanga City LGU declared a state of calamity amid the oil crisis due to the US-Israel war on Iran. Lucita ‘Yadz’ Gonzales, PMCJ Mindanao coordinator, highlighted that a reactive approach to the multiple crises we experience will never be enough. “By declaring a climate emergency, we can mainstream climate action across all local development plans, budgets, and policies. CLIMA also highlights the need to accelerate a rapid, just, and equitable energy transition and stresses its efficiency, while rejecting the expansion of coal, oil, gas, and other fossil fuel-dependent projects that threaten public health and the environment,” said Gonzales.

The groups also demand that the Local Climate Change Action Plan (LCCAP), Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan, and other climate-related policies be strengthened and fully implemented, with active participation from affected communities.

“We stress that the fight against climate change must be won through decisive policies by LGUs. A meeting was also held with Zamboanga City Councilors Hon. Litlit Macrohon and Hon. Atty. Jian Enriquez, and Hon. Atty. Jihan Edding. During the meeting, the councilors reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the declaration of a Climate Emergency and advancing policies and programs that promote clean, green, and renewable energy in Zamboanga City,” said Sharmaine Anudin, PMCJ Zamboanga team leader.

Zamboanga City has a 120-Megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plant currently in the early construction phase in Brgy. San Ramon is owned by the Alsons Power Group. A 300-MW liquified natural gas power plant project in Brgy. Sangali was canceled after protests from communities. The proponent of the terminated gas plant, San Miguel Corporation, built a modular gas turbine power plant in the same barangay and is slated for expansion from 28 MW to 56 MW.

In April 2025, neighboring Brgy. Bolong issued a declaration of climate emergency in response to the growing threat to the livelihoods of their farmers and fisherfolk posed by these fossil-fuel-generating plants.

“Zamboanga City is currently facing a high risk of climate change severity, driven primarily by severe water scarcity, intense flooding, extreme heat, and deteriorating coastal ecosystems. Due to the city’s economy and food security being tied heavily to agriculture and the sea, these shifting weather patterns threaten both urban infrastructure and rural livelihoods,” Anudin stressed.

Other objectives of the signed resolution include gathering scientific studies, community-based evidence, and policy references, conducting information and education campaigns, and engaging policymakers and the public on the urgency of climate action. ###

For inquiries, contact:

Pat Pangantihon

Mindanao Policy and Communications Officer

Philippine Movement for Climate Justice

pjpangantihon.mindanao@climatejustice.ph

Mobile: +63 969 362 8588

For other PMCJ-related concerns, contact:

Sheila Abarra

Senior Media and Communications Officer

Philippine Movement for Climate Justice

mediacommunications@climatejustice.ph

Viber: +63-991-669-2356