๐๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง, ๐๐ง๐ฏ๐ข๐ซ๐จ๐ง๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ญ๐๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ, ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ง๐๐ง๐๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ค๐ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ก๐จ๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐ข๐ง๐จ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฐ๐๐ง!
Panaghiusa sa Katawhan alang sa Pagpahiuli sa Lasang (PALASANG) wishes to extend our deepest condolences to the families of those who lost loved ones and to the survivors of the recent powerful typhoons Tino and Uwan (Kalmaegi and Fung wong).
Our thoughts are with everyone who was injured or who is coping with emotional and mental distress, and we pray for swift healing and comfort.
We feel that these heartbreaking events could have been less severe had our natural defenses—forests on hillsides, water catching plains, and coastal mangrove belts—remained intact, and had the funds appropriated for climate disaster mitigation been used properly and for high quality projects. We hope that accountability will be pursued wherever necessary.
Protecting our natural landscapes—from mountain ridges to riverbanks and coral reefs—and insisting on transparent, responsible governance are duties that belong to every Filipino, regardless of tribe, faith, or background. In a nation frequently struck by powerful storms, the loss of forests, mangroves, and other vital ecosystems amplifies the human toll. Misuse of resources meant for climate resilient infrastructure, reforestation, and disaster response only deepens this pain.
Our sorrow can become a catalyst for positive action.
Sibagat have learned from several experiences in the municipality and outside. Everyday, let us celebrate our unity and our movement for an Integrated, Sustainable, Democratic and Accountable political and environmental governance. We should persist and remain consistent fellow Sibagatnons. In various parts of the country and around the world, our movement and its alternatives resonate.
We call upon all citizens, women, youth, workers, farmers, fisherfolks, academe, community leaders, religious and tribal representatives, and public officials to join together in caring for our environment and ensuring honest, accountable governance.
Together let us act to:
Preserve and restore forests, mangroves, and coastal habitats that serve as natural shields against storms, and natural habitats of biodiversity. Land-use, climate mitigation, natural resource and mineral management and economic cohesive policies should be passed ensuring protection, preservation and accountability.
Promote full transparency and accountability in the use of public funds dedicated to disaster mitigation and climate adaptation, persecute the culprits by an independent investigation commission, and seek legal remedies where resources have been mismanaged, while advocating for stronger policies.
Support vigilant community monitoring, empower independent oversight bodies, and pursue policy reforms and legal avenues whenever misconduct arises.
As we observe Environmental Awareness Month (November 2025), let us renew and strengthen our moral and spiritual commitment as stewards of creation—to protect rather than exploit the earth. May the recent and past environmental tragedies serve as a clear reminder to act proactively, responsibly.
On November 30, as we honor the Philippine hero Andrรฉs Bonifacio, let us recognize that his fight against colonial oppression resonates today in our struggle against those who would plunder our natural resources and betray public trust. Let us revive the spirit of Katipunan’s core moral standard, honor (karangalan) above personal gain.
Through collective stewardship and steadfast accountability, we can safeguard lives, livelihoods, and the unique biodiversity of the Philippines—for the present generation and those yet to come.
Sibagat, Agusan del Sur
November 12, 2025
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PALASANG is an environmental network, alliance and movement of different people's organizations, religious denominations and individuals in Sibagat, Agusan del Sur formed in 2023.
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