POPULAR superheroes, led by the Hulk, the Green Lantern, and Ben 10, together with local eco-warriors Super Walang Aksaya, Boy Bayong, and PCB Eliminator trooped to the offices of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Intramuros today to launch an initiative that aims to place the environment as one of the top issues of concern in the 2013 national elections.
The superheroes were accompanied by activists from the Greenpeace, EcoWaste Coalition, Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), Buklod-Tao and Gulayan Pilapil Neighborhood Association (GPNAI). The activists wore green eye masks as they promoted their 2013 Green Electoral Initiave (GEI) entitled “Berde ka ba?” – a survey on the environmental position of senatorial candidates.
First launched in 2007 by Greenpeace and EcoWaste Coalition, the Green Electoral Initiative is meant to remind politicians of their constitutional obligation as future public servants. It aims to ensure that the right of Filipinos to a “balanced and healthful ecology” is upheld and safeguarded.
“The country’s leaders should be green superheroes–not jokers or, worse, environmental villains,” said Francis dela Cruz, spokesperson for Greenpeace Southeast Asia. “Protecting the environment should be a key national policy and a priority election concern both for the candidates as well as the voting public. Environmental protection directly translates to economic benefits for the nation as a whole, for communities and for each individual Filipino.”
This year’s GEI theme is called “Berde ka ba?” and was inspired by the rising popularity of fliptop culture where people try to outwit each other through rap. While this initiative uses humor, it asks serious questions of senatorial bets and their political parties about their legislative agenda on the environment should they be voted into office.
For the 2013 electoral campaign, these advocacy groups will conduct an environmental survey based on the following agenda:
· Budget appropriation for the implementation of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act
· Ratification of the Basel Ban Amendment
· Enacting a Public Right to Know Policy on pollution
· Enacting a national plastic bag ban
· Enacting laws that would eliminate toxics in consumer products
· Enacting a law that would promote energy efficiency
In March, the environmental groups will gather senatorial candidates to a public forum to further expound on these pressing environmental issues.
“The senatoriables may have green pick-up lines which are effective in capturing the attention of the Filipino public,” said Edwin Alejo, National Coordinator for EcoWaste Coalition. “But they should go beyond mere rhetoric and pursue legislation that would ensure protection of the environment. Our green eye masks signify our commitment to watch over these candidates relentlessly during the campaign period and to continue our vigilance until after they are elected.”
“While this initiative targets the candidates, “Berde ka ba?” also challenges the voting public to have a green conscience to ensure that the elections are clean and honest, and to think in behalf of the environment when they cast their votes on May 13,” said Paeng Lopez, spokesperson for GAIA.