BIOLOGY students and environmental groups held a protest march on campus calling for climate justice and denouncing corruption on Nov. 29.
An estimated 70 students participated in the march, dubbed “Earth Walk,” which began at Osmeña Drive and passed by the Santisimo Rosario Parish Church, the Arch of the Centuries, Roque Ruaño Building, Plaza Mayor and Quezon Drive.
Genea Cortez, adviser of the UST Biology Society, said the Earth Walk was the students’ way of calling for a science-based approach to campaign for proper management of natural resources and against the anomalous flood control projects.
“This is their own initiative on how they would really want to voice out their insights, about what’s happening with their environment,” she said.
Andrei Mercene, president of the Biology Society, said joining initiatives like “Earth Walk” amplifies environmental advocacies and the calls for truth and transparency.
“Sa pagsali ng mga ganitong panawagan, mas naa-amplify mo ‘yung boses na meron ka, mas nabibigyan ka ng avenue kung saan mababahagi [mo] ‘yung gusto mong [mga] adbokasiyang ipahayag sa buong mundo, lalo na nangangailangan ng boses ng kabataan ang bansa natin,” he said.
“Hindi una at huli itong Earth Walk para sa mga projects na nananawagan sa accountability, sa climate justice at sa transparency,” said Justine Colina, external vice president.
The march was a collaboration with the Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines (YACAP).
Rae Junsay, national coordinator for YACAP, said the partnership was a collective effort to pursue systemic change and accountability in the fight against corruption.
“Bilang mga kabataan na tagapagmana ng planetang ito, siyempre hindi tayo papayag na harap-harapan nila tayong nakawan, harap-harapan nilang sirain ‘yung kalikasan natin, harap-harapan na sila ‘yung nakikinabang du’n sa likas na yaman ng bansa natin,” said Junsay.
YACAP is a nationwide alliance of youth organizations, student councils, and youth fighting for climate justice.
Jolo Fabellon of the science advocacy organization Agham-Youth said protests for climate justice also call out countries that contribute to global environmental crises through carbon emissions.
“Isa tayo sa pinaka-vulnerable na countries dito sa climate crisis, and yet hindi naman tayo ‘yung pinakamalaki na nage-emit.,” he said.
“To have a global solidarity action, of course, there needs to be an action at the local scene,” Fabellon added.
“With an enemy as big as the imperialist nations, bureaucrat capitalists, corrupt politicians, hindi mo sila matatalo nang mag-isa ka lang. [Kaya] very crucial ‘yung mga ganitong klaseng pagkilos dahil dito pinapakita ‘yung lakas ng mamamayan, dito nape-pressure natin ‘yung mga government officials to actually listen to the voices of the masses,” said Junsay.
Earth Walk 2025 was part of the events for the UST Biology Society and UST Microbiology Society Week, titled “Tanglaw 2025,” held from Nov. 27 to 29. With reports from Fritz Nathan A. Diaz
