18/05/2026
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Public Statement | For Immediate Release (May 18, 2026)
KaBalay-Nature Party
(formerly called Makakalikasan Nature Party PHilippines)
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“Hindi Ito Simpleng Tag-Init”: KaBalay Declares Climate and Public Health Emergency — Advances Green Communes and Eco Barangay Solutions
KaBalay Nature Party (formerly Makakalikasan Nature Party Philippines) today declared that the ongoing extreme heat conditions across the Philippines constitute a Climate and Public Health Emergency, calling for urgent and systemic action from government and communities nationwide.
Recent national monitoring shows that at least 13 areas in the country have reached “danger level” heat index, with temperatures peaking at 45°C in Dumangas, Iloilo and Guiuan, Eastern Samar, and sustained heat levels of 42°C to 44°C across multiple provinces. These conditions significantly increase the risk of heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and long-term public health impacts, particularly among outdoor workers, farmers, transport operators, students, and vulnerable populations.
The Party emphasized that this is not an isolated weather event, but part of a broader pattern of climate disruption affecting food systems, water availability, labor productivity, and community resilience.
“Hindi na ito simpleng tag-init — ito ay krisis ng buhay at kalusugan”
Party Chair Orlando Ravanera stressed the urgency of reframing the national response:
“Hindi na ito simpleng tag-init. Ito ay malinaw na climate at public health emergency. Kapag ang init ay umaabot sa 45°C, hindi na ito inconvenience—ito ay direktang banta sa buhay, kabuhayan, at kinabukasan ng ating mga komunidad. Ang dapat tugon dito ay hindi advisories lamang, kundi isang coordinated national emergency response framework na nakaugat sa siyensya at sa pangangailangan ng tao.”
Ravanera underscored that climate impacts are compounding vulnerabilities in agriculture, water systems, and urban settlements, requiring integrated and systemic responses.
System Failure: “Paulit-ulit na ayuda, paulit-ulit na krisis”
Party President Roy Cabonegro pointed out that the current situation exposes deeper structural weaknesses:
“Ang problema ay hindi lang init—ang problema ay ang sistema. Habang nakaangkla tayo sa imported fossil fuels, habang mahina ang local climate governance, at habang hiwa-hiwalay ang ating mga programa, mapipilitan ang gobyerno na magbigay ng ayuda—paulit-ulit—pero hindi nawawala ang krisis.”
Cabonegro noted that recent interventions, including billions in fuel subsidies and assistance to transport sectors, reflect a reactive system that does not address root causes such as:
>> Fossil fuel dependence
>> Weak climate-adaptive infrastructure
>> Fragmented governance systems
“Ang ayuda ay pansamantala. Ang kailangan ay pagbabago ng sistema—mula enerhiya, transportasyon, agrikultura, hanggang sa lokal na pamamahala.”
From Crisis to Solution: Green Communes as National Climate Response
KaBalay Nature Party emphasized that it is not only raising concerns but actively implementing solutions through its Green Communes Program.
This program is a:
Worker-owned, cooperative-based, circular green infrastructure platform Designed for:
>> Climate resilience
>> Agro-industrial development
>> Renewable energy integration
>> Community wealth creation
Current projections indicate that up to 13.6 million Filipinos may face climate displacement by 2100, underscoring the need for scalable, systemic solutions beyond traditional disaster response.
Lasam, Cagayan: Ground-Level Action Already Underway
The Party highlighted the Lasam, Cagayan Green Commune pilot, led by the Zinundungan Valley Agriculture Cooperative (ZiVa Agri Coop), as proof that solutions are already in motion.
At the center of this effort is the:
TANIM BUNDOK, CAGAYANON! – Forest Rehab PH Project
Key facts:
>> Implementation period: April 1 to August 31, 2026
>> Target mobilization: 500 participants + 100 partners
>> Immediate action: 600 seedlings planted
>> Expected to raise at least PhP 100,000 to add to the reforestation budget of the Lasam, Cagayan Green Communes Piloting Program
The project operates within the Cagayan River Basin, the largest in the Philippines at approximately 25,000–27,000 square kilometers, an area highly vulnerable to flooding, heat stress, and watershed degradation.
Recent data show:
3,129 individuals evacuated during 2025 flood events
13,135 individuals affected by subsequent flooding incidents
These conditions reinforce the urgency of watershed rehabilitation, agroforestry systems, and community-based climate adaptation.
“Hindi lang pagtatanim ng puno — ito ay pagtatayo ng sistema”
ZiVa Agri Coop President Essex Ramones Lara emphasized:
“Ang Tanim Bundok ay hindi lang tree planting. Ito ay bahagi ng Green Communes system—kung saan ang komunidad mismo ang nag-oorganisa, nag-iinvest, at nagbubuo ng kanilang sariling climate resilience. Ang bawat punong itinatanim ay konektado sa kabuhayan, sa edukasyon, at sa kinabukasan ng aming lugar.”
Lara noted that the model is designed for replication across multiple Green Commune sites nationwide, linking public mobilization to long-term ecological and economic transformation.
For more details, visit www.tanimbundok.com
Eco Barangay and SK para sa Kalikasan: From Crisis to Governance
KaBalay Nature Party linked the current crisis to its preparations for the November 2026 Barangay and SK Elections.
Party Secretary-General Rommel Ortega stated:
“Ang sagot sa climate crisis ay hindi lang national policy—ito ay local governance. Kaya ang itinutulak natin ay Eco Barangay bilang climate survival unit, at SK para sa Kalikasan bilang youth climate governance force. Dito magsisimula ang tunay na pagbabago—sa barangay, sa komunidad, sa kabataan.”
The Party is accelerating:
Youth and SK leadership development
Barangay-level climate organizing
Deployment of Green Communes as governance models
BARMM and National Expansion
KaBalay Nature Party also signaled its intention to engage in the September 2026 BARMM Elections, positioning the region as a critical frontier for:
>> Climate resilience
>> Cooperative-based economic development
>> Peace-oriented governance
“Kung may Lasam sa Luzon, dapat magkaroon ng katumbas na Green Communes sa Mindanao at BARMM. Ang climate crisis ay pambansa—kaya ang solusyon ay dapat pambansa rin,” Cabonegro added.
Call to ACTION
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KaBalay Nature Party calls on:
(1) National government to declare a Climate and Public Health Emergency Framework
(2) Local governments to implement heat action plans and climate-resilient systems
(3) Communities to join Green Communes and Eco Barangay initiatives
(4) Youth to lead through SK para sa Kalikasan formations
“Hindi na ito simpleng tag-init. Ito ay krisis ng sistema—at panahon na para itayo ang bagong sistema. Ang KaBalay ay kumikilos na—at inaanyayahan namin ang buong bayan na makiisa sa pagbabagong ito.”
For more information, contact:
Mobile: +63 966 3718760
Email: [email protected]
Website (temporary): https://sites.google.com/view/kabalay-nature-party/home
