A farmer tills his rice field as waters from a burst river dike destroyed at the height of Super Typhoon Man-yi start to inundate fields at a farming village in Aliaga, Nueva Ecija province on Nov. 19, 2024. Ted Aljibe, AFPBAKU, Azerbaijan — Filipino farmers and members of the workforce are also in attendance at this year’s Conference of Parties 29 (COP29) to bring their different issues and experiences on the effects of climate change to the international stage.

Leodegario Velayo, a rice farmer from Central Luzon joined the farmer-led Masipag (Magsasaka at Siyentipiko para sa Pag-unlad ng Agrikultura) in sharing his personal experience with typhoons, which are seen to be worsening due to the climate crisis.

“Halos wala nang inani ang mga magsasaka. Nasalanta na ang kabukiran,” he shared.

(Farmers barely harvest anything. The fields have been ravaged)

The Department of Agriculture has estimated damage to agriculture in recent typhoons at around P10 billion.

RELATED: House members, CSO reps meet on climate change bills on sidelines of COP29

SUSTAINABLE FARMING

“Kaya kami nandito para maibalik sa amin yung sistema na matulungan din kami… maging kapakipakinabang ang mga pribilehiyo,” he added.

(We are here for to call for a return of a system that would help us. So privileges will be useful to us)

In an international event convention such as the COP, he says, he wants leaders to hear that there are better ways to plant rice such as sustainable farming.

Common industrial farming involves the use of chemicals, which, he said also adds to a farmer’s overhead costs.

Velayo and his colleagues joined in the protests, sat down through several meetings to share their sentiments.

Julius Cainglet, who represents the Federation of Free Workers, was also at COP29 advocate industry policies that favor workers.

“Isa po ay pangangailangan ang ating publiko ay ating gobyerno, local government units, mag-invest sa activities na magbubuhay sa ating ekonomiya. Mas mainam kung ito po ay mga activities utilizing renewable energy,” said Cainglet.

(What the public needs is for government to invest in activities that will revive our economy. It would be better if these activities utilize renewable energy)

He adds that this works especially for the manufacturing industry since these activities are more sustainable that help the environment.

They are also lobbying for a framework for just transition in the workforce where laborers are compensated properly for the effects of climate disasters such as extreme heat and strong rains.

Just transition means spreading the benefits of a new technology or practice to as many people as possible and ensuring that those affected by the transition are not left behind.

“Kailangan mayroon tayong matibay na social protection,” added Cainglet.

(We need to have strong social protections)

READ: ASEAN member states seek loss and damage fund for disasters

NEGOTIATIONS ONGOING

UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell announced that the countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions are yet to be set as negotiations continue on its last day today in Azerbaijan.

“Let's be clear: no nation is winning this fight.  Every economy is being besieged by climate disasters, ripping up to 5 percent off GDP in some countries.  And it’s people and businesses that are paying the heaviest price,” said Stiell.

So far, only the United Kingdom and Brazil, who are part of G20, have signified their planned contributions.

There is no word yet on the Philippines’ revised climate action plan. 

COP29 has recommended all countries cover all greenhouse gases and all sectors to help minimize climate change and rising temperatures.