MANILA, PHILIPPINES – On September 19, 2025, 350 Pilipinas, in partnership with the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), civil society groups, and grassroots communities, will mount a day-long event calling for people-centered climate solutions. Anchored on the global campaign Draw the Line, the initiative seeks to spotlight community led responses to the climate crisis ahead of the Global Day of Action for Climate Justice.
The program, running from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., will unfold across PUP’s Sta. Mesa campus, beginning with a parade and banner drop, followed by exhibits and a culminating music festival.
The “Draw the Line: Celebrate Community-Led and People-Centered Climate Solutions” campaign underscores the urgency of addressing the escalating climate emergency through grassroots leadership. As communities across the Philippines face intensifying floods, storms, and environmental disruptions, the event highlights the critical role of local and youth-led climate action.
From September 19 to 21, parallel actions will take place nationwide to build momentum toward COP30 in Brazil, amplifying demands for national leaders to “fund the future.” These include calls to redirect public financing to local communities, divest from fossil fuels, invest in renewable energy, and transition to sustainable systems.
“The worsening floods across Metro Manila remind us that the climate crisis is not a distant threat — it is already here,” said Nadia Cruz, Media Officer for 350 Pilipinas. “Communities are rising with real solutions, but the government must do its part by investing in its people rather than in destructive, profit-driven systems.”
The September 19 activities will unfold in three key acts:
Act I: Climate Parade and Banner Unfurling (1:00p.m.–2:00 p.m.)
The program opens with a parade at the PUP Institute of Technology grounds, culminating in the unfurling of a giant climate justice banner. The parade will feature a street band, community dance performances, and a collective march to the NDC Court.
Act II: Exhibit and Presentations (2:00p.m.–5:00 p.m.)
An exhibit at the PUP College of Engineering and Architecture will showcase initiatives on renewable energy, sustainable mobility, zero waste, and healthcare. Community leaders and organizations will present their climate solutions in a panel discussion, followed by an awarding ceremony recognizing outstanding efforts.
Act III: Festival and Performances (2:00p.m.–8:00 p.m.)
The evening culminates in a cultural celebration, with performances by ITM and Kababayan, Charleen Ong, RuiijiKun, Merienda Jazz, ITechniks Dance Troupe, Harong Queens, Capture, Bad Wave, Jerms, and Johnny Guarin.
The event is co-organized with a wide network of advocacy and development organizations, including the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, AktivAsia, Greenpeace Philippines, Constantino Foundation, Zero Waste Asia, Health Care Without Harm Southeast Asia, Amnesty International Philippines, Mobility Awards, and the Lilok Foundation, among others.
As 350 Pilipinas emphasizes, the Draw the Line campaign is both a celebration and a challenge — a celebration of communities leading the way, and a challenge to institutions and policymakers to act decisively. Through this convergence of art, advocacy, and action, the movement reminds us that climate justice is inseparable from people’s survival, dignity, and future.
