THE Philippine government’s declaration of a national energy emergency in response to the US-Israel war on Iran has sparked a call to action from the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC).
ICSC Executive Director Angelo Kairos dela Cruz emphasized the need for a comprehensive, sustainable approach to address the crisis, prioritizing renewable energy (RE), public transportation and community-led resilience solutions.
He stressed that the government should move away from the country’s overreliance on fossil fuels to achieve energy independence and stability. He pointed out that the country’s import-dependent energy system leaves it exposed to volatility, while private gains persist during crises.
Prioritizing renewables “will make us independent from international shocks, protect us from the volatility of global markets, help stabilize power costs and strengthen our ability, as a nation, to manage the crisis,” dela Cruz said.
The ICSC also highlighted the need for a system-wide approach to address transportation concerns, prioritizing people over vehicles. Dela Cruz emphasized that government subsidies should be channeled toward interconnected public transport routes, safer infrastructure and technical support.
Moreover, ICSC stressed the crucial role of local government units (LGUs) in advancing resilience solutions. “LGUs have already been taking the lead toward resilience in their localities... We do not need to start from scratch: practical and efficient solutions already exist, and it is only a matter of learning from and scaling these approaches,” dela Cruz said.
The organization also calls for an immediate end to war, corruption, impunity and systemic oppression, emphasizing that genuine climate action means prioritizing the well-being of people and the planet.
