Mindanao is engulfed by two extreme weather events.
Call for immediate response and climate emergency now!

In the last two months, provinces across Mindanao have experienced the worsening effects of global warming.

Drought has persisted in Tawi-Tawi since 2023. Wells have dried up, leaving communities to ration their water supply. The effects of El Nino are also felt in Bukidnon to the north. This dry spell is predicted to peak in April, affecting not only Mindanao, but the rest of the country.

On the other extreme, continuous heavy rain has caused floods and landslides in the provinces of Davao and Agusan del Sur. The combined disasters have damaged homes, vehicles, and facilities, including hospitals. At least 21,000 residents have been forced to evacuate.

The impacts of destructive mining aggravated the effects of the climate crisis in Brgy. Masara, Maco, Davao. On February 6, a catastrophic landslide crashed over a bus terminal at the Apex Mining site in Masara, with a rising death toll of 68, 26 of whom were Apex Mining workers while the remaining 42 were residents of Zone 1, Brgy. Masara. The disaster left 32 others injured and 51 still missing. At least 55 homes were destroyed, and 758 families evacuated to shelters.

Poor land management exacerbates climate impacts. Destructive economic activities like mining weakens our defenses against climate disasters.

Destructive mining has been linked to widespread deforestation. Despite regulations on this industry, large-scale mining companies continue to operate with poor regard to the environment, denuding mountains and making them more vulnerable to erosion. As global warming brings more frequent and heavier rains, landslides will happen more often. Poor land management is also very prevalent in monoculture plantations and the propensity of this mode of cultivation to expand to forested areas and watersheds.

Deforestation not only weakens the earth, but also hinders our efforts to limit carbon emissions. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, which makes up the bulk of the greenhouse gases warming our planet. However, destructive mining is not the only irresponsible practice contributing to the climate crisis.

The burning of fossil fuels, such as coal and fossil gas, continues to be the largest contributor to global warming. To this day, most of the country’s energy needs come from fossil fuels, despite the Philippines being the third country most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. A coal moratorium was passed in 2020, but some companies are still expanding their coal-fired power plants, while others propose false solutions that pretend to be “clean energy” despite releasing greenhouse gases.

As global warming worsens, the disasters in Tawi-Tawi, Bukidnon, Davao, and Agusan del Sur may imperil other provinces in Mindanao. We urge the national and local governments of Mindanao to declare a state of climate emergency.

A declaration of climate emergency is the first step towards acknowledging the urgency of the climate crisis and placing front and center the people during the climate crisis.

We urge the local governments of Mindanao to aid the affected communities and to address the climate crisis:

1.Declare a state of climate emergency. Develop or strengthen policies that will limit carbon emissions in the local industries.
2.Strengthen the capacity of the local government to deal with the impacts of climate.
3.Assist in search and rescue operations for victims of the flood and landslides. Provide adequate shelter to the evacuated families.
4.Reevaluate the current disaster prevention and response programs in consideration of the worsening effects of climate change.
5.Tighten regulations on mining operations. Form a council on mining that is composed of affected communities, environmental experts, and mining operators.
6.Probe the mining operations around the Masara landslide and impose proper sanctions on any violations. Indefinitely suspend mining operations until it is determined safe.
7.Plan out a road map to develop renewable energy projects in the area so that communities can access clean and reliable energy.

The Philippine Movement for Climate Justice will continue to work with communities in Mindanao to raise awareness on the human and environmental toll of global warming.

We implore the government to prioritize the welfare of Mindanaoans and the environment now.