Roy Cabonegro, The Environmental Crusader

Written By Argyle Joseph Lauronilla

The Philippines' natural beauty used to be a picture-perfect tropical paradise in all of its glory; regrettably, it has deteriorated over the years. It has been neglected for a long time by both the general public and the highest levels of our country’s government. Although there are laws in existence to protect our natural habitats, they pale in comparison to the damage humans have done to these habitats’ splendour. Even after all the harm that Mother Earth has endured, the majority of the population continues to ignore the environmental consequences of human activity.

However, several citizens of our country are rising up during this vital juncture in history in the hopes of bringing about the progress that would make the country greener. Changing people's perceptions of environmental issues is a lengthy and difficult process, but it's necessary. If we don't pay attention to the changing times, the flame of mankind — as we know it — will vanish. We have to change our ways; however, not just any change, but a serious one.

One person who has a deep passion and cares for the environment is a 2022 senatorial candidate named Roy Cabonegro, a life-long campaigner for a ‘green’ Philippines. He is a devout environmentalist, a founding member of MAKAKALIKASAN (Nature Party Philippines), a former consultant of the Commission of Human Rights (CHR) and several other environmental and community groups, and a candidate in PLM’s senatorial slate (one of MAKAKALIKASAN’s allied political parties).

In his lifetime, Cabonegro has carved his path toward the road to appreciating Mother Nature to the core, reflected by his accomplishments in conserving and rehabilitating the environment. He was involved in countless projects and is responsible for promoting community-based approaches to the conservation of agricultural biodiversity, as well as protecting environmental and developmental rights. Notably, he was involved in lobbying for several environmental legislations such as Republic Act No. 9275 (Clean Water Act) and Republic 9003 (Zero Ecological Solid Waste Management Law). 

In an interview with Fascinating Features, Cabonegro talked about his platforms, his political goals, and aspirations, his experiences, and how he sees the country's current and future policies in the next years.

Cabonegro’s Green Beginnings

For most of Cabonegro’s adult life, he was active in a variety of environmental projects. However, he just didn't decide to become an environmentalist out of the blue. Rather, he did so during his time at De La Salle University (DLSU) as a college student.

Cabonegro mentioned, “My other reason why I'm an environmental advocate […] and running for the Senate, as an environmentalist, is because of my college days.”

Cabonegro recalled that time when his university wanted to cut down large trees in front of the campus; he stepped into action and joined the movement to stop the trees from being cut down. From there on, he became active in several environmental activism-related movements and events such as Camp Kalikasan (an immersion program that aims to study and advocate for the issues of the environment such as forest protection and zero waste goals) and the 1992 Rio Earth Summit (the first summit to define sustainable development; Cabonegro participated as a delegate).

A simple protest from the cutting of a tree on his campus may have been insignificant to others, but it led to his future. Cabonegro then became a significant figure in the formation, succeeding the formation of the early stages of forming a Green Party in the Philippines.

Cabonegro’s Green Vision

We still have a chance than we ever have in the past to reverse, stop, and reverse climate change and environmental injustice. As a result, there is no room for overwhelming anxiety. All we need is a lot of optimism in this country and the world. “From this optimism should come action. The truth is [that] we need action today,” Cabongero said.

However, to improve the country and the world, we must evolve as a society in such a way that the effects of climate change can be mitigated. “[The action of citizens are] necessary to push governments, our government including, to change their ways dramatically, and radically,” Cabonegro said.

Cabonegro expressed his dismay at the current administration’s environmental approach against climate change, saying it is insufficient to combat the rising impacts of climate change.  “Our budget does not seem to follow this trend to respond to the crisis if our problems are not increasing. Secondly, our budgeting is blind,” he declared.

He realized the need to adopt a national position to safeguard the nation's sociological and ecological future. He shared his vision for this country if he were to be elected as a senator.

In his vision for change, his list to execute such change is long.

Firstly, he would support a declaration of emergency so that the government can align its programs (including the national budget) or amend current legislation to finance the state’s response to climate change adaptation.

Also, he would try to confront the immediate impact of climate displacement; about 20 to 30% of the Filipino communities in the coastal area and river race will be forced to relocate because of the sea level rise and other effects of climate change.

Lastly, one of the highlights of his party’s platform, the Nature Party Philippines, is organizing the response to pass comprehensive legislation or a bill on creating green communes. Green communes are enclaves that the government can use to provide homes to Filipinos who may be refugees of climate and other tragedies; these enclaves can also be areas to base the country’s green industries.

"The Socialize Green Communities Law, [which includes] green communes, is a complete answer to the inevitable domestic climate refugees that we are likely to face in the next 10 to 20 years," Cabonegro explained.

Then, on the issue of constitutional change, Cabonegro added, “The United Nations has already declared [that there is a] right to a Healthy Environment and Sustainable Ecology or environment. The concept of the rights of nature embodies the same rights as human beings in ecosystems, giving rights to a river, giving rise to forests. [It’s] similar to how we would give a right to a human being, but represented in communities that are living in accordance with the rhythm of these ecosystems.”

He lastly pointed out the necessity to safeguard our resources. “In the issue of public utilities, public utilities are really important today,” he said, “including national patrimony. All these resources must be safeguarded by the state because we are entering into an emergency climate emergency that will impact us all. If the state has no control over utilities — and for future use, oil, gas, and other natural resources. Even if we give this up — say in mining for expert or oriented mining — then we're giving up what we could use in the future.”

Recommended Song: The Times Are A-Changing - Bob Dylan

Images from Roy Cabonegro’s Facebook Page