Priest leads environmentalists on 154km march from Quezon to Manila

Fr. Warren Puno and fellow green warriors departed from Atimonan in Quezon province on Monday, embarking on a 154-kilometer journey to the nation's capital as part of "Lakbay Panaghoy II – Kalikasan, Kapayapaan, Katarungan" (Journey of Lament II – Environment, Peace, Justice).

The protest march seeks to amplify calls for environmental protection and highlight the struggles of vulnerable populations grappling with the consequences of ecological degradation and resource extraction across the region. The initiative represents a continuation of similar advocacy efforts by environmental and faith-based groups opposing destructive practices that threaten both natural ecosystems and communities dependent on them.

The week-long journey will see the group traverse major routes connecting Quezon province to Metro Manila, using the extended march to garner public attention and engage stakeholders along the way. The demonstration underscores growing concerns among environmental and religious organizations about the pace of ecological damage and the disproportionate impact on impoverished communities lacking political influence.

The march comes amid broader discussions in the Philippines about balancing economic development with environmental protection, a key issue for grassroots movements and civil society groups advocating for sustainable practices and accountability from both government and private sector actors.