A Dauntless and Peaceful Environment Warrior
Remembering our past engagement with Greenpeace International during pre-pandemic times in 2010 as we organized a city-wide event as part of KPSFI’s engagement with a UKAid Project, the PHILSSA-DFID Project Implementation of “Institutionalizing Local and National Partnerships to Address Urban Poverty and Homelessness in the Philippines”. The activities involved a month-long Gensan City Summit (October 6, 7, 12, 13 & 20). Several fora were organized, one of which was Forum 5.
The Review of Outputs/Results — Resolutions, Important Decisions, and Commitments Made During the Month-Long Gensan City Summit (October 6, 7, 12, 13 & 20), revealed the following about Forum 5:
Forum 5, October 20, 2010: “Community-Based Efforts to Adapt and Mitigate the Effects of Climate Change and Global Warming”
- Offer/Invitation from SPECTRUM to UP-All and KPS Peoples Organizations (POs) Federation to participate in local environmental advocacy especially, in protecting the Sarangani Bay area, and engaging in various fund-raising activities (i.e. concerts, dinner-for-a-cause, fund-raising shows featuring local talents, art shows/exhibits – “Ang Pagbabago ng Basura”) to help build the Sarangani Trust Fund;
- Support and patronage of PO-NGO communities to various local initiatives in solid waste recycling and local technologies for efficient use of energy (i.e. recycled bags and other items made out of trash, portable solar lamps, multiguard, etc.);
- Orientation of POs and NGOs about climate change and global warming, and the call for a simpler lifestyle, which respects the integrity of creation;
- POs and NGOs invited to the coming at Makar International Wharf of the “Rainbow Warrior” on November 19-22, 2010.
Greenpeace became a partner advocate in protecting the Sarangani Bay area, against the possible degradation that would be brought about by the construction of a coal-fired power plant in the nearby Municipality of Maasim, Sarangani Province. The coal-fired power plant, which was eventually built in an area located near a big fish sanctuary, is also is within the vicinity of one of the longest underwater coral seawalls in the world, about 5 miles long in Sarangani Bay!
The coming of the Rainbow Warrior on November 19 gave more life and vibrancy to the advocacy agenda, with the participation of thousands of people’s organizations (PO)s, non-government organizations (NGOs), local government units (LGUs), and community people. The welcome party started with a long and colorful parade of community people from KPS Village to Makar International Wharf, to welcome the Rainbow Warrior and its small crew. Later, the group joined in a small feast of a boodle meal sponsored by KPSFI and the Barangay LGU of Labangal in General Santos City.
The next day, KPSFI joined the Greenpeace team in a day-long program and celebration at Barangay Nomoh, Maasim, which emphasized the urgency and importance of preserving the Sarangani Bay area.
During the entire 4-day visit of the Rainbow Warrior, while moored at Makar Wharf, the public was invited to come and see the ship which has become a beacon of hope and rallying symbol for environmental advocates — “The world is sick and dying, the people will rise up like Warriors of the Rainbow”.