Marilyn Cahatol

Journalists and educators in this year's Journalism Studies Association of the Philippines (JSAP) National Conference. Photo by Mary Rose Maligmat, ABS-CBN News Digital Intern

Journalists and educators in this year's Journalism Studies Association of the Philippines (JSAP) National Conference.

Article (news)

Science-based approach, accountability vital in addressing climate crisis, journalists say

ABS-CBN News Digital Intern

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1766187822882undefined (3).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Journalists and educators in this year&#x27;s Journalism Studies Association of the Philippines (JSAP) National Conference. Photo by Mary Rose Maligmat, ABS-CBN News Digital Intern"/><span class="fr-inner" spellcheck="false" style="text-align:left">Journalists and educators in this year&#x27;s Journalism Studies Association of the Philippines (JSAP) National Conference.<em> Photo by Mary Rose Maligmat, ABS-CBN News Digital Intern</em></span></span></span>MANILA — Journalists and educators reflected on reportage on the country’s gut issues, such as the climate crisis, in this year’s Journalism Studies Association of the Philippines (JSAP) National Conference on December 9.</div><p>The United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established in 2015 took center stage in the conference, tackling the plight of the Filipinos amid prevailing systemic issues. Among the 17 goals are Climate Action (SDG 13), Zero Hunger (SDG 2), and Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (SDG 16).</p><p>The climate crisis was highlighted in the discourse as 2030, the projected deadline for achieving the SDGs, approaches.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/weather-traffic/2025/1/14/explainer-how-climate-change-is-driving-extreme-weather-events-1047">EXPLAINER: How climate change is driving extreme weather events</a></div><p>The Philippines is currently dealing with a massive flood control project scandal that has enraged citizens.</p><p>The country is among the most disaster prone in the world, bearing the brunt of the climate crisis with intensified typhoons and frequent flooding — submerging localities and costing lives.</p><p>TV5 anchor Jiggy Manicad recalled how Supertyphoon Yolanda in 2013 proved to him that the country faces food insecurity and is not yet ready to handle the effects of climate change.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/11/05/18/why-super-typhoon-yolanda-was-so-deadly">Why super typhoon Yolanda was so deadly</a></div><p>Manicad said that the Philippines has become reliant on importation – local rice production is insufficient, galunggong is often sourced from China, and beef is imported from Japan and the United States.</p><p>He emphasized that the country needs “to have a clear-cut program, step-by-step, science-based food production distribution.”</p><p>“We have technologies pero hindi maximized. UP [Los Baños] has all the technology in the world. Katabi pa niya ‘yong International Rice Research Institute (IRRI),” he said, referring to the institute’s International Rice Genebank (IRG).</p><p>Home to the world’s largest collection of rice genetic diversity, the IRG preserves at least 132,000 rice seed samples in IRRI’s Los Baños headquarters. Over 7,000 rice samples were deposited to Norway’s Svalbard Global Seed Vault in 2024.</p><p>“Kumbaga, ‘pag nagunaw ‘yong mundo at natira ‘yong Norway, mayroong itatanim. Mayroon tayong contribution doon,” Manicad remarked.</p><p>As climate change can devastate sources of food, it is inevitable that hunger may drive crime, just like several instances of looting in Tacloban City in the aftermath of Yolanda.</p><p>Amid the looting, there were some who took food and supplies from a supermarket and left a note listing the acquired items and a promise to pay in time. </p><p>Manicad said people eventually paid as they recovered.</p><p>Another homegrown technology he cited is Project NOAH, a program currently run by the University of the Philippines that predicts areas with potential flooding and landslides – crucial in disaster risk reduction.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2025/11/10/super-typhoons-in-ph-have-become-more-frequent-in-recent-years-climate-scientists-say-1831">Super typhoons in PH have become more frequent in recent years, climate scientists say</a></div><p>Manicad pointed to the lack of a science-based approach in policies. Instead, it is ayuda culture that prevails. </p><p>Pia Ranada, Rappler&#x27;s Community Lead, dubbed the SDGs a fancy term for &quot;gut issues.&quot; As Filipinos long aired their sentiments against the notion of resilience, Ranada sees that it is impossible without accountability.</p><p>“‘Yong totoong resilience, hindi ‘yong resilience na by forcing people to put up with unimaginable suffering... We believe resilience is when institutions are working for people and people can hold them accountable for that,” she added, describing corruption as an open secret.</p><p>After President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a probe on the flood control corruption, she shared that citizens were “less fearful of reprisal” from sending tips to journalists regarding dubious projects in their localities. This aided investigative reporters and significantly contributed to independent journalism.</p><p>“Watchdog journalism and civic engagement work is expensive and time-consuming,” Ranada said, stressing that collaborations with people and institutions make good governance, transparency, and accountability possible.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>NEED FOR SDG REPORTING</strong></div><p>Amid the climate crisis, Conrado Generoso, chief of staff of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), reminded journalists and students that all stories are better told with a human face and through the lens that looks at the dire conditions on the ground.</p><p>However, Generoso admitted that SDG reporting has been sporadic and event-based. He emphasized the need for reporters specializing in SDG reporting.</p><p>Manila Standard Managing Editor Joyce Pañares seconded this.</p><p>“In fact, 80% of Southeast Asian newsrooms... said climate change is a priority. Pero kasing dami din ang umamin na wala silang climate section,” Pañares presented.</p><p>She also shared reporters’ struggle to explain a public health crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic given that not all have a science background. </p><p>Pañares said that lifestyle reporting can be an effective way to convey complex issues to readers through tangible and everyday trends, alongside finding appropriate experts and localizing the story.</p><div style="text-align:center"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F909300438325091%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=560&amp;t=0" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>“The enormity of the problem, it tends to give us a feeling of helplessness. Kasi hindi natin alam yung facts,” Ranada earlier remarked.</p><p>Themed “Journalism for a Sustainable Future: Reporting the SDGs, Uncovering the Challenges,” the conference was held at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, attended by students from PUP, University of the Philippines, and University of Sto. Tomas.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/weather-traffic/2025/5/30/half-the-world-faced-an-extra-month-of-extreme-heat-due-to-climate-change-study-1551">Half the world faced an extra month of extreme heat due to climate change: study</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KQz2jVGauHo?si=4p04xsCIA_kx9Ru6" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>Journalists and educators reflect on the reportage of the country’s gut issues, such as the climate crisis, in this year’s Journalism Studies Association of the Philippines (JSAP) National Conference last December 9.</p>

Journalists and educators reflect on the reportage of the country’s gut issues, such as the climate crisis, in this year’s Journalism Studies Association of the Philippines (JSAP) National Conference last December 9.

Science-based approach, accountability vital in addressing climate crisis, journalists say

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Science-based approach, accountability vital in addressing climate crisis, journalists say

ABS-CBN News Digital Intern,

Mary Rose Maligmat

Published Dec 20, 2025 11:43 AM PHT

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Journalism Studies Association of the Philippines

Sustainable Development Goals

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