Philippines
Metro Manila
Groups call for action on climate change, food security in QC protest
Groups call for action on climate change, food security in QC protest
By Hannah Nicol
Protesters trooped to the Department of Agriculture (DA) office along Elliptical Road, Quezon City, on Monday, October 21, as part of an Asia-wide protest, to urge Asian governments to build a sustainable, climate-resilient food system for everyone.
Protesters led by the Asian Peoples' Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD), trooped to the Department of Agriculture office along Elliptical Road in Quezon City as part of an Asia-wide protests calling on Asian governments to build sustainable, climate-resilient food systems that ensure adequate and affordable food for all on October 21, 2024. (Mark Balmores)
The rallyists underscored the urgent need for immediate action as climate change intensifies, leading to increasingly severe typhoons, floods, and landslides.
These disasters, they said, not only damage agriculture but also heighten food insecurity, resulting in billions of pesos in economic losses.
The protest was led by the Asian Peoples’ Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD), a regional alliance of people's movements, community organizations, coalitions, non-government organizations, and networks.
The group aims to advance collective campaigns and joint actions to address common struggles in regional and global arenas.
APMDD also seeks to change the processes, policies, and structures of governments and intergovernmental institutions, contributing to the transformation of national and international economic and financial systems.
Protesters led by the Asian Peoples' Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD), trooped to the Department of Agriculture office along Elliptical Road in Quezon City as part of an Asia-wide protests calling on Asian governments to build sustainable, climate-resilient food systems that ensure adequate and affordable food for all on October 21, 2024. (Mark Balmores)
Protesters wore "salakots" or native hats and held banners and placards demanding “people’s rights to food, land, and water,” “Kumakalam na sikmura, solusyunan (Empty stomachs, provide a solution),” “Stop water privatization, No to Reclamation!” and “Krisis sa Klima, Krisis sa Pagkain (Climate Crisis, Food Crisis).”
Protesters led by the Asian Peoples' Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD), trooped to the Department of Agriculture office along Elliptical Road in Quezon City as part of an Asia-wide protests calling on Asian governments to build sustainable, climate-resilient food systems that ensure adequate and affordable food for all on October 21, 2024. (Mark Balmores)
The group also displayed a protest prop resembling a boat with the message “Produksyon, hindi importasyon! (Production, not importation!).”
The Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM), Kababaihan sa Oriang, SANLAKAS, the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJI), and Kilusan para sa Kabuhayan, Kalusugan, Kalikasan, at Katiyakan sa Paninirahan (K4K) also joined in the protest.