Climate survivors and Greenpeace Philippines staged a powerful protest outside the Conrad Hotel on October 7, 2025. They called on President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (BBM) to ensure climate funding reaches frontline communities. The protest coincided with the 7th meeting of the Board for the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD).
Activists unfurled a giant mock “Polluter’s Climate Bill” worth five trillion dollars. This figure represents just a fraction of the damage caused by the top five investor-owned oil and gas companies since 2015. That year marked the adoption of the Paris Agreement. The demand was clear: fossil fuel giants must pay for the destruction they have caused.
The climate survivors leading the action come from some of the most vulnerable areas in the Philippines. These include Marikina City, Salcedo in Eastern Samar, and Bilangbilangan in Tubigon, Bohol. All have endured deadly floods and super typhoons. They have rebuilt their lives, again and again.
Arnold Obguia, a survivor from Tubigon, spoke with urgency. “We are here to end the impunity of climate polluters,” he said. “We keep paying for their greed. We lose our homes, our livelihoods, and sometimes our loved ones.” He urged President Marcos to fill the Loss and Damage Fund. He stressed it must be accessible to affected communities. “Do not let it be stolen by corruption,” he added.
Jefferson Chua, Greenpeace campaigner, called greed the real disaster. “Fossil fuel companies are destroying the planet for profit,” he said. “At the same time, corruption is siphoning off funds meant to protect people.” He demanded that President BBM take action. “Make the polluters pay. That is climate justice.”
The giant bill displayed specific damage. One line item showed ₱47.6 billion in losses from Typhoon Odette. The protest also highlighted corruption in climate spending. Up to ₱1.089 trillion may have been lost to mismanagement in flood control and climate projects. This worsens the crisis for millions of Filipinos.
Maya Quirino of the Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center (LRC) added her voice. She pointed out that global pledges to the FRLD total only $786 million. That is just 0.01% of the five-trillion-dollar bill. “The gap is immense,” she said. “As host of the FRLD Board, the Philippines must lead.”
She called for the urgent passage of the Climate Accountability (CLIMA) Bill. This pending law, House Bill 4420, would force polluters to pay for climate damages. It would create a legal duty for coal, oil, and gas firms. They would have to compensate affected communities.
The FRLD is a UN-backed fund. It helps developing nations cope with climate disasters. These are impacts they did not cause. Wealthy nations and their corporations are responsible for most historical emissions. Yet their current pledges total only $731 million. Experts estimate that developing countries need $400 billion each year.
The protest sent a clear message. Survival should not depend on charity. It should be based on justice. Polluters must be held accountable. Funding must reach those who need it most. President Marcos has a chance to show real leadership. The world is watching.
