Napabilang si Sorsogon Governor Chiz Escudero sa 12 senatorial aspirants na masasabing “pinakaberde” kung pagbabasehan ang ginawang pagbusisi ng Luntiang Bayan, isang alyansa ng mga grupong pro-environment, sa mga plataporma at kahusayan ng mga naglalaban-labang mahigit 60 senatorial candidates.
Nakakuha si Escudero, na naging chairman ng Senate Committee on Environment and Natural, Resources, ng gradong 57 o pang-anim na environment-friendly candidate mula sa Luntiang Bayan kung saan pinag-aralan ng mga convenor ang environmental performance ng mga kandidato mula 2010 national elections.
“The 2022 Philippine elections coincides with the most critical time of the global environment. Scientists warn that we have as little as 4 to 5 years to start making the change towards a sustainable society or face irreversible impacts,” ang pahayag ng Luntiang Bayan sa Facebook post nito.
“We need leaders who have the political will to steer the country away from the current environmentally destructive policies to one that will conserve and rehabilitate the environment for the survival of Filipinos,” anang grupo.
Malugod namang tinanggap ni Escudero ang pagkakasali sa kanya at nangako siya na magsusulong pa ng mga batas na makatutulong upang mabawasan ang epekto sa bansa ng climate change at upang matiyak ang social protection, kabilang na ang disaster prevention and response.
“Patong-patong ang problemang kinakaharap hindi lamang ng ating bansa ngunit ng buong mundo. Naniniwala ako na ang ating pagbangon at pagsulong mula sa pandemya ay hindi magiging posible kung ating kakalimutan ang kapaligiran, lalo na’t isa tayo sa pinaka-at-risk sa impact ng climate change,” ani Escudero.
Ginalugad ng Luntiang Bayan ang iba’t ibang materyal tungkol sa isang kandidato upang mabatid nito kung may pagpapahalaga ba siya kalikasan at kung nababagay ba siya sa mga agenda ng alyansa na kinabibilangan ng animal welfare and wildlife protection; biodiversity and ecosystems protection; adaptation to climate change/disaster preparedness and mitigation; food security; sustainable development; solid waste management; environmental justice; at pandemic response.
“Luntiang Bayan is not endorsing any candidate. This study can be used by voters as a guide to in voting for public servants who will heed the call of the people to protect the environment. We enjoin the electorate in voting on the basis of urgent national issues and not personalities,” anang Luntiang Bayan.
Bilang chairman ng Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources 16th Congress (2016), pinarangalan si Escudero bilang “Clean Air Champion” ng Coalition of Clean Air Advocates Philippines na nag-endorso rin sa kanyang kandidatura sa pagka-vice president noong 2016.
Kabilang sa mga convenor ng Luntiang Bayan ang Earth Island Institute Philippines, Nilad, Miriam College Environmental Studies Institute, Philippine Animal Welfare Society, Save Philippine Seas, Wild Bird Club of the Philippines, Ecowaste Coalition, Save Freedom Island Movement, Pull OutCOALition, Save Laguna Lake Movement, Piglas, UP Green League, Miriam Environmental Planning Organization, at UP Minggan.