TUCP joins the Philippines’ countdown to Rio+20

July 27, 2011, Manila–“There is no other appropriate, fair and meaningful path toward sustainable development than green jobs and decent work”, emphasized Mr. Rafael Mapalo, TUCP’s Director for Education, who presented TUCP’s sustainable development initiatives during the Philippine Council for Sustainable Development’s (PCSD) 1stNational Forum on Countdown to Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development on July 27, 2011, Manila, Philippines.

He said that the occasion reminded him of 2007 when TUCP affiliates and members decided to carry out non-traditional (trade unions’)ambitious sustainable development actions and activities.

“We wanted to engage in practically everything”, Mr. Mapalo said.TUCP had planned to lead unions in growing of crops on idle public and private lands for local and export markets; reforesting parks, watersheds, denuded hills and planting trees; residuals management (pollution control);environmental sanitation programs; and building communities through sustainable livelihood projects, training and employment placement programs.

“We recognized that implementing these plans will not be easy. But through the combined efforts, resources and expertise of our affiliates and partners, we were able to realize what we set out (in 2007) to achieve and more”, exclaimed Mr. Mapalo.

Some of these modest accomplishments include TUCP affiliates’ projects in conservation of marine ecosystems, reforestation and tree planting; filed and co-authored five (5) measures — on integrated coastal management, proper disposal of asbestos, regulating the production, importation, sale, use and recycling of plastic bags, establishing the people’s survival fund, and promoting soil and water conservation technologies; free skills training through the TUCP Workers’ College (for in-demand jobs); employment facilitation assistance for trainees; socio-economic (sustainable livelihood) projects for members and their families; and environmental education and capacity development for workers.

“These are just a few examples of how unions, despite meager resources,are making real, concrete and sustainable solutions to some of the country’s environmental problems”, Mr. Mapalo noted.

He added that alongside sustainable development, TUCP is giving an equal attention to ensure that our and actionsand practices of others should be guided by the principle of “Just Transition” –a wholistic, inclusive, and sustainable process that covers and addresses vulnerability assessment, social protection, decent work, policies, training and education towards green jobs and greener practices and adaptation/mitigation measures for vulnerable communities and sectors.

“We were told that we have too ambitious goals, but TUCP refused to remain a bystander. And just as we proudly did in 2007, we will not let this momentum pass without renewed action”, Mr. Mapalostressed.

In closing, he called upon the tripartite sectors, including civil societyand other stakeholders to rise to the challenge as one united body. “The trade union movement is committed to supporting more ambitious actions towards a truly sustainable development where social dimensions and broader environmental challenges are also addressed”, he concluded.

Other discussants include representatives from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Climate Change Commission (CCC), Lingkod Tao Kalikasan (civil society), and Philippine Business for the Environment (business).