AN ADVOCACY group on Monday called on the electorate to vote for candidates who support environmental policies.
The group, calling themselves the Philippine Business for Environmental Stewardship (PBEST), made the call during a roundtable discussions organized in collaboration with the Climate Reality Project (CRP) Philippines.
The forum gathered together environment experts and other key stakeholders to tackle environmental accountability and transparent governance in the national climate agenda.
In a statement, Stratbase president and PBEST lead convenor Dindo Manhit cited the 2025 midterm elections as an “opportunity to drive transformative change in environmental issues through wise public voting.”
“We, the Philippine Business for Environmental Stewardship, urge our fellow Filipinos to support proactive leaders with green policies to drive a national climate agenda that could build a climate-resilient, sustainable Philippines,” the statement read.
It said Filipinos consider environment as a national priority, noting the recent survey commissioned by Stratbase, where 87 percent of the responders will support candidates with advocacies addressing climate change impacts and enhancing disaster resilience.
“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,” Manhit said.
“Effective climate action requires strategic collaboration with all sectors of society, and these actions should be anchored on transparent and accountable governance,” he added.
Environment Undersecretary Jonas Leones also emphasized the importance of supporting green policies. He cited 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 Department of Environment and Natural Resources (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 expected 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.
Echoing the same sentiments, CRP branch manager Nazrin Castro 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,” Castro said.
DENR Climate Change Service director Elenida Basug explained that community participation helps 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,” Basug said.
European Union Technical Assistance Support to the Philippines Community Resilience, Climate Change, and Disaster Risk Management expert Rustico Binas said 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.