The Philippine Misereor Partnership Inc. (PMPI) has issued a strong statement condemning what it describes as systemic, corporate-driven ecological destruction across the country, warning that communities are being left vulnerable to both environmental harm and harassment of defenders.
PMPI said destructive projects continue to be approved and protected through the collusion of powerful corporations and government agencies, prioritizing profit over ecological integrity and human rights.
The organization pointed to partner communities in Palawan, Bulacan, Central Panay, Antique, Batangas, Mindoro, Homonhon-Manicani, and Nueva Vizcaya as examples of areas bearing the brunt of ecological degradation.
According to PMPI, years of engagement reveal that environmental conflicts are rarely isolated. They are symptoms of deeper systemic failures: legal intimidation of Environmental Human Rights Defenders (EHRDs), unequal access to justice, weakened community participation, and regulatory frameworks unable—or unwilling—to prevent harm.
“These are not merely environmental concerns; they are questions of justice, accountability, and the kind of development the government chooses to pursue,” PMPI said.
The group called for stronger government regulation and enforcement, broader public awareness, and reforms that uphold ecological integrity, human dignity, and the Rights of Nature.
It urged civil society organizations, Indigenous Peoples, academic institutions, student groups, faith communities, and ethical businesses to stand in solidarity with affected communities.
Solidarity, PMPI emphasized, means amplifying community voices, supporting defenders, demanding corporate accountability, and advancing ecological justice that recognizes nature as a living community deserving of respect and restoration.
In the months ahead, PMPI pledged to continue accompanying communities impacted by corporate projects, inviting individuals and institutions to visit, document, and contribute to collective efforts toward accountability and reform.
“Ecological justice cannot be achieved by communities alone. It requires shared responsibility among civil society, government institutions, churches, academic sectors, professional groups, and businesses,” the statement read. “Protecting our common home begins with the refusal to look away.” # (RANDY NOBLEZA)
