Filipino voters should choose candidates who support green policies in order to strengthen the national climate agenda that could build a climate-resilient and sustainable Philippines, an environmental advocacy group said.

Dindo Manhit, convenor of the Philippine Business for Environmental Stewardship (PBEST) the 2025 midterm elections as an opportunity to drive transformative change in environmental issues through wise public voting 

“By choosing leaders who advocate strategic climate action, decarbonization, and the circular economy, we can foster environmental resilience and national sustainability necessary to drive long-term socio-economic stability,” said Manhit in a forum.

“Effective climate action requires strategic collaboration with all sectors of society, and these actions should be anchored in transparent and accountable governance,” he added.

Based on the recent survey commissioned by Stratbase, 87 percent of Filipino voters said they would support candidates with advocacies addressing climate change impacts and enhancing disaster resilience.

Similarly, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Jonas Leones emphasized the importance of supporting

green policies, citing the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act as beneficial in encouraging public-private partnerships to ensure a comprehensive approach to waste management and resource recovery.

Leones said the DENR is coordinating with the Departments of Finance, Labor and Employment, and Social Welfare and Development to create incentives for the circular economy efforts of enterprises.

They hope to provide these incentives by the end of the current quarter.

“Investing in infrastructure, strengthening enforcement mechanisms, and simplifying administrative processes are also essential in creating a more supportive environment for circular economy,” said Leones.

Climate Reality Project (CRP) Philippines Branch Manager Nazrin Castro, meanwhile, highlighted that EPR compliance is an opportunity to innovate, cut costs, and meet the growing demand for responsible business and sustainability.

"Climate action isn’t a one-time discussion; it requires ongoing inclusive and solutions-driven dialogue across all sectors. The only way forward is through this sustained collaboration,” said Castro.

For his part, DENR Climate Change Service Director Elenida Basug explained that community participation aids in developing green solutions, citing public consultations, reporting, and citizen oversight mechanisms as key to ensure national efforts reflect the public’s needs.

“Our ongoing partnerships with government agencies, academic institutions, civil society, and international organizations exemplify the power of collective action in enhancing environmental and climate governance,” said Basug.

European Union Technical Assistance Support to the Philippines Community Resilience, Climate Change, and Disaster Risk Management Expert and Team Leader Rustico “Rusty” Binas stated that strategic collaboration empowers local entities to serve as central coordination points in national initiatives.

“Community involvement in government decision-making is crucial for effective disaster risk reduction and emergency response,” said Binas.

“The community organizing tradition in the Philippines fosters collective action, sustainable solutions, and risk-informed planning, ultimately risk reduction, to avert natural disasters,” he added.