Environmental advocates endorse Satur Ocampo, Liza Maza

The country’s future is at stake. This coming election is situated within a time when our barren mountains, eroded by extraction, cry for a respite; when our degraded croplands are fast running out of water; and when our impoverished people have become helpless in the face of typhoons, drought, and other disasters. Our battered ecosystems are in urgent need of healing after continuous rampage and neglect.

The people have a right to a balanced and healthful ecology. Environmental protection and defense entails concrete solutions and actions, genuine commitment, and platforms rooted in the people's realities and aspirations.

If we will only vote for leaders who will resolutely stand at the forefront of the struggle for people’s rights, environmental conservation and national sovereignty, we can expect to finally work for a green and promising economy that will surely be able to feed our hungry people.

We, Filipino advocates for the protection of our environment, natural resources and national patrimony, expressly endorse Satur Ocampo and Liza Maza. Among the many senatoriables, we believe that these two can best represent the public clamor for legislators who are environmental defenders.

In their nine years of service at the House of Representatives, Ocampo and Maza have stood up for environmental and people's defense through bills, resolutions, and legislative actions aiming to uphold a healthy ecology and at the same time oppose environmentally-destructive laws and projects. Their respective organizations Bayan Muna Partylist and Gabriela Women’s Party have a proven record in promoting environmental protection and opposing the plunder of our natural resources.

Among their many contributions in Congress, Ocampo and Maza have supported calls to:

Scrap Republic Act 7942 (The Philippine Mining Act of 1995), which has allowed the sale of national patrimony to foreign corporations, destroyed already denuded forests, polluted water systems, and displaced communities within areas where large scale mining operations exist.

Investigate and stop commercial logging, which has been the primary cause of deforestation and decreasing biodiversity in our forest areas

Investigate and stop large-scale mining projects from encroaching on biodiversity-rich areas.

Stop aggressive development projects of the government that threaten the safety and well-being of communities such as the San Roque dam, Laiban dam and the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.

Lobby against unequal and unfair military and trade agreements such as the US-RP Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) and other globalization policies of liberalization, deregulation and privatization, that through out history, have contributed dire effects on the environment.

Defend environmental advocates against harassment suits called Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), and other forms of human rights violations.

It is high time that our resources be used judiciously for the benefit of our people and the next generation.

The 2010 election presents an opportunity to elect leaders who will stand by this cause. We believe that Satur Ocampo and Liza Maza have the track record, sincerity and commitment to the common good which will yield concrete gains for the people and substantial environmental policy reforms if they are re-elected to public office.

Vote for the country’s future!
Vote for the environment and people's welfare!
Vote for Satur Ocampo and Liza Maza!

SIGNATORIES:

DR. ROMY QUIJANO, Pesticide Action Network – Philippines
DR. EMELINA G. REGIS, Institute for Environmental Conservation and Research, Ateneo de Naga University
DR. GIOVANNI TAPANG, Samahan ng Nagtataguyod ng Agham at Teknolohiya para sa Sambayanan
DR. HELEN MENDOZA, Soljus Pax
FRANCES QUIMPO, Center for Environmental Concerns
CLEMENTE G. BAUTISTA JR., Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment
TONY CASETAS, Sagip Isla, Sagip Kapwa
DANILO RAMOS, Kilusang Magbubukip ng Pilipinas
Pambansang Kalipunan ng Mamamalakaya sa Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA)
Kalipunan ng mga Katutubong Mamamayan sa Pilipinas (KAMP)
ESTHER PEREZ DE TAGLE
Southern Tagalog Environmental Action Movement (STEAM)
Madia-as Ecological Movement (MEM)
Central Visayas Fisherfolk Development Center (FIDEC)
Visayas Climate Action Network
Defend Patrimony! Alliance
Panalipdan Southern Mindanao Region
AGHAM Youth
Sibol ng Agham at Teknolohiya (SIBAT)

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