Progressive organizations launched various activities on April 22 to mark Earth Day and called for the defense of the environment and the people’s livelihood.

Led by Kalikasan People’s Network for Environment (Kalikasan PNE), hundreds of environmental defenders, urban poor, and youth gathered in Mendiola to oppose the intensifying plunder, fascism, and destruction of the environment under the US-Marcos regime. They began their protest with prayers and a tribute to Pope Francis, whom they called the “defender of the environment and the oppressed.” They said his legacy of solidarity with the poor and his call for justice for the environment serve as their inspiration.

They also condemned the ongoing Balikatan war games in the country, which clearly show the puppetry of Marcos Jr. and his total surrender of the sovereignty and natural resources of the Philippines to US imperialism.

Meanwhile, fishers and church people collectively held a fluvial parade and mass in Malolos, Bulacan to celebrate Earth Day 2025. They called for a stop to the San Miguel Corporation’s reclamation project to build the New Manila International Airport (NMIA). Aside from the destruction of marine resources, the people of Bulacan also exposed the continuing harassment of fisherfolk.

According to Pagkakaisa ng Mangingisda at Mamamayan sa Manila Bay (Unity of Fisherfolk and the People in Manila Bay), “the SMC’s reclamation projects and harassment against fishers constrict fishing grounds. Fisherfolk who enter fishing grounds already appropriated by the corporation are prohibited, arrested, and punished.”

On the same day, more than 200 fishers, farmers, and urban poor from Cavite, Rizal, and Mindoro launched a fluvial protest in Bacoor, Cavite in solidarity with Earth Day. This also served as the opening activity for the launch of Alyansa Kontra Kumbersyon at Demolisyon-Timog Katagalugan (AKKD-TK, or Alliance Against Conversion and Demolition-Southern Tagalog).

They oppose the ongoing dredging and reclamation operations in Manila Bay. They say that these destroy the environment, the people’s livelihood in the Southern Tagalog region and protection for local communities, especially fisherfolk. Makabayan Coalition senatorial candidates Mimi Doringo, Ronnel Arambullo, Alyn Andamo, as well as partylist nominees Miriam Villanueva (Gabriela Women’s Partylist) and Kej Andres (Kabataan Partylist) joined the fluvial protest.