Antonio Tinio calls out Marcos alleged inaction on transboundary haze

MANILA, Philippines — ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio on Thursday criticized President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on what he described as the latter’s inaction on the issue of transboundary haze that originated from Indonesia, which also affected the air quality in parts of the Philippines. 

Tinio made this remark during the House sponsorship and plenary deliberations on the proposed budget of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for next year. 

Tinio asked Palawan Rep. Jose Alvarez, the agency’s budget sponsor, if the DENR will attend the meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution in Da Nang, Vietnam in October this year. 

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READ: How haze from Indonesian fires impacts Southeast Asia

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As a sponsor who defends the agency’s budget and answers interpellations from fellow lawmakers, Alvarez confirmed DENR’s attendance in the meeting. Officials of DENR were also present in the deliberations. 

Tinio then recalled his interpellation on Misamis Occidental Rep. Sancho Oaminal during the plenary deliberations on the proposed budget of the DFA earlier that day. 

He also asked Oaminal if the DFA will attend the meeting in October, where the latter said that it is the DENR expected to attend the meeting. 

With these answers, Tinio said that it seems that the issue of the haze is not on the radar of the DFA, DENR, and Marcos. Oaminal then responded by saying that it’s not being careless, but because the “DFA does not have the scientific capability” to assess the situation, and is relying on the expertise of DENR on the matter.

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READ: Praying for rain as fires, haze plague Indonesian Borneo

“Nakikita po natin kung gaano kainutil, walang ginagawa ang Marcos Jr. sa issue ng transboundary haze pollution,” Tinio said during the deliberations for the proposed budget of DENR. 

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(We can see how Marcos Jr. is not doing anything to address the issue of transboundary haze pollution.)

Tinio then noted how the deputy prime minister of Malaysia visited Indonesia to discuss and address the hazardous effects of the haze, particularly on preventive measures. 

“Ganun ka high-level kasi ganoon gustong protektahan ng Malaysia… ang mamamayan sa epekto ng pollution. Pero dito sa Pilipinas, pabanjing-banjing lang ang Malacañang hayaan nyo na lang mag mask na lang o magcancel ng klase pag sobra na ang haze,” the lawmaker added. 

(That’s how high-level it is because Malaysia wants to protect its citizens from pollution. But here in the Philippines, the Malacañang is being careless, and just told the public to wear masks or cancel classes due to haze.)

For several weeks, the hazardous and thick haze which blanketed Indonesia also affected neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, and Philippines with most fires concentrated on Borneo Island. 

Reports said that nearly 300,000 hectares of land were burned in Indonesia so far this year, with an increase in carbon emissions seen since late July. 

In the past weeks, the DENR reported that several areas recorded high PM2.5 levels, or a fine particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometers or less of pollution. The agency advised the public to limit outdoor activities as the haze can bring respiratory implications. 

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The INQUIRER has sought a comment from the Malacañang regarding Tinio’s remarks and has yet to receive a response. /mr