Lawmakers Push for Climate Accountability Bill
Negros Occidental 3rd District Rep. Javi Benitez has called on his colleagues in the House of Representatives to back the Climate Accountability bill. He emphasized that the bill is crucial because communities in the Philippines bear the harshest impacts of climate change despite the country’s minimal role in global pollution.
In a recent privilege speech, Benitez highlighted that the proposed Climate Accountability Act would transform environmental protection into a human rights obligation. He stressed that this legislation would establish clear legal mechanisms to hold polluters responsible and provide vulnerable communities with access to justice and resilience resources.
Climate Accountability Bill: A Human Rights Mandate
“As legislators, I urge all of you to support the passage of the Climate Accountability Act. This measure recognizes that protecting the climate system is not only an environmental concern, but a constitutional mandate, a human rights obligation, and a duty to future generations,” Benitez said.
He added, “CLIMA establishes enforceable mechanisms for holding polluters accountable, compels carbon majors to contribute their fair share, and provides vulnerable communities with access to redress, reparations, and resilience resources. In doing so, it ensures that our fight against climate change is not just aspirational, but legally grounded, transparent, and just.” Community members noted the bill’s potential to deliver justice to those affected by climate disasters.
Disproportionate Climate Impact on the Philippines
Benitez pointed out that the Philippines contributes less than 0.5 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Yet, the country suffers disproportionately from the consequences due to negligence and corruption in public infrastructure projects.
“As a representative of my district, and former local official, I stand with the Filipino people in demanding truth, accountability, and justice regarding corruption in flood control and other infrastructure projects, including reported collusion between officials and contractors,” the lawmaker stated.
He urged communities to innovate and stay resilient, emphasizing that “Climate justice is therefore social justice. It is our duty to ensure that the poorest and most vulnerable, who suffer the greatest losses while contributing the least to the crisis, are not left behind.” Local leaders echoed his call for inclusive climate action.
Recent Floods Highlight Urgent Climate Challenges
This year’s wet season saw multiple cyclones battering various parts of the Philippines, causing floods and landslides of unprecedented scale. Notably, flooding persisted even without a tropical cyclone in the Philippine area of responsibility, surprising many.
Over the weekend, widespread flooding affected many areas in Quezon City, including elevated zones not usually prone to floods. Officials reported that outdated drainage systems contributed significantly to this problem. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration recorded about 141 millimeters of rain at the Science Garden station in Quezon City—equivalent to roughly seven days’ rainfall.
Crackdown on Corruption in Flood Control Projects
Benitez welcomed President Marcos Jr.’s directive to investigate P350 billion worth of flood control projects. “I welcome President Marcos Jr.’s order to investigate P350 billion in flood control projects and, with like-minded colleagues, demand from all concerned agencies full disclosure of all project details, including names of contractors and politicians responsible for these multi-billion peso projects funded by our taxpayers,” he said.
Despite this, the lawmaker warned that addressing corruption alone is insufficient. The country must also hold major polluters accountable to truly combat climate change.
“I have personally signed the call for transparency initiated by several local chief executives, as I strongly believe in good governance, transparency, and accountability. And while I fully support the investigation into the corruption associated with flood control projects, I urge this honorable body to consider broader issues,” he explained.
He added, “Corruption in flood-control projects and the decades of environmental destruction by fossil fuel companies are not separate problems but interconnected injustices that cause the suffering of Filipinos. Stolen public funds leave our communities exposed to floods, while fossil fuel corporations continue to profit as the climate crisis worsens.”
House Bill Seeks Legal Framework for Climate Accountability
During the 19th Congress, lawmakers introduced House Bill No. 9609 to establish a legal framework that holds parties accountable for disasters linked to climate change. Pro-environment groups noted that this bill is the first of its kind globally, as it opens the door for corporate climate accountability to be recognized by a state and enables reparations mechanisms.
In July 2025, environmental advocates urged the government to make the largest contributors to the climate crisis “pay their fair share.” As part of their demonstration, they placed symbolic banners and a cardboard cutout of President Marcos in a flooded neighborhood in Cainta, Rizal.
The protest followed severe flooding across Metro Manila and many parts of Luzon and the Visayas, caused by heavy rains from Severe Tropical Storm Crising, the southwest monsoon, and a low-pressure area, community members said.
For more news and updates on climate accountability, visit Filipinokami.com.
