Green jobs

Message at the regional dialogue on green growth for jobs and social inclusion: making the case for a just transition in Asia

By Assistant Secretary Evelyn Cruzada, delivered on behalf of Secretary Leoncio Evasco, Jr. of the Office of the Cabinet Secretary at the regional dialogue on green growth for jobs and social inclusion: making the case for a just transition in Asia

Statement | Manila, Philippines | 25 September 2017
Secretary Leoncio B. Evasco, Jr. of the Office of the Cabinet Secretary sends his greetings to all of you today on the occasion of the regional dialogue on “Green Growth for Jobs and Social Inclusion: Making the Case for a Joint Transition in Asia.” Secretary Evasco would have been happy to personally greet you today, but prior important engagement prevents him from doing so.

The Office of the Cabinet Secretary under the Office of the President has been charged with streamlining and re-engineering the development thrusts of the Administration and ensuring that the six cabinet clusters are effectively delivering the targets of the government. Thus, discussions about green growth for jobs and social inclusion are important to the office. We have always tried to be present in gatherings where climate change, its effects and what we can do to mitigate them are discussed.

What with the major risks posed by climate change on the economic prosperity and social progress of our country as well as those of other countries in Asia and the rest of the world. It is high time that serious discussions like this be held and possible actions be done to meet the challenges ahead. The reality that country, like the Philippines, needs to be industrialized if it wants to develop and provide its citizens with jobs brings about the problem of how to fuel such industrialization.

We all know that coal is popular fuel used for industrialization and it increase the carbon content of our environment. If we do not adopt more climate-friendly sources of energy, we seal the future of our children to more vicious and destructive typhoons. We need to pursue an environmentally sustainable, low carbon and greener economy where new jobs can be created and where production and processes are environmentally friendly to ensure the safety of our workers.

Although transitioning to a green economy would displace some workers, the opening of more green jobs could counter the effects of displacements. With the passing of the Philippines Green Jobs Act and other policies already in place, promoting sustainable growth and decent jobs creation would not be far behind. If the 18 government agencies would seriously plan, design and implement the Green Jobs Human Resource Development Plan, our desire for a just transition will not remain a dream. We owe it not only to our people, but also to the world.

As Ban Ki-moon said and I quote: “climate change is destroying our path to sustainability. Ours is a world of looming challenges and increasingly limited resources. Sustainable development offers the best chance to adjust our course” while Arnold Schwarzenegger said, “the future is green energy, sustainability, and renewable energy.