Diane Joy Galos

Battered by storms Kristine and the supertyphoon Leon, Greenpeace is urging the Philippine government to end its fossil fuel reliance and demand compensation from those most responsible for the climate crisis.


Kristine took the lives of at least 150 people and inflicted around PHP 6.5 billion in damages to infrastructure and agriculture, according to the latest government figures.

The storm also grounded a coal barge off Zambales and an oil tanker at a Batangas port.

Within days, Kristine was followed by Leon, a super typhoon that led to a signal number 5 alert over Batanes Province.

This year’s storms—including Aghon, Butchoy, Carina, Enteng, Julian, Kristine, and Leon—have collectively claimed 250 lives and caused PHP 25 billion in damages.

“Every year, the stakes are higher for Filipinos who suffer the impacts,” said Greenpeace campaigner Khevin Yu.

“Since July this year, Filipinos have had to deal with death and damaged homes almost every month. And yet they’re still the ones bearing the financial burden of these impacts with taxpayers’ money. This shouldn’t go on. The government must demand payment for loss and damage from fossil fuel companies, and lead the call for a fossil fuel phase-out,” Yu said.

As world leaders gather for the UN Climate talks from November 11 to 22, climate finance will be a major issue on the agenda.

Greenpeace calls on the Philippine government to push hard for increased funding, especially for the Loss and Damage Fund, which compensates countries hit hardest by climate change.

Greenpeace is also urging the Philippines to back a Climate Damages Tax, where high-polluting industries like fossil fuel companies contribute, not just governments.

“The Philippines lobbied to host the Loss and Damage Fund Board, but what use is hosting the board if it doesn’t have money in the pot?” Yu said.

At home, Greenpeace says the government needs to align its policies with its climate justice rhetoric.

Despite the President’s remarks on renewable energy, the Philippines continues to lean on fossil fuels, particularly fossil gas.

The government has yet to commit to a net-zero target, and it’s considering nuclear energy along with more coal and gas.

“STS Kristine and all the other extreme weather events this year, including the intense April-May heat, underscore the urgent need for climate action,” Yu said.

Greenpeace also raised concerns about a surge in oil and coal spills, as barges and tankers get grounded by powerful storms.

In July, Carina sank two tankers and caused a major oil spill in Bataan.

During the onslaught of Kristine two vessels were grounded, including a tanker in Batangas, and sank a coal barge in Zambales.

These fossil fuel spills are wreaking havoc on marine ecosystems and threatening coastal communities that rely on fishing.

Greenpeace warned of a lack of transparency surrounding recent spills, with locals reporting fish that smelled of oil, restricted port movements, and no clear information from authorities about potential spills.

“The accounts from local fishers suggest there may have been an oil spill, raising fears of unreported ecological damage,” Yu said.

With rising climate chaos, Greenpeace insists it’s time to hold the fossil fuel industry accountable—before the next storm hits.