The government has removed limits on foreign ownership of solar, wind and ocean projects to attract private and foreign investment. At the same time, officials have stepped up a practice called "red‑tagging", which says some activists or groups are linked to communists or terrorists.
Two community organisations, LCDe in Tacloban and Sibat which brings clean technology to rural areas, report they have been accused and harassed. LCDe had bank accounts frozen in April 2024 and its leader later faced court cases. Because the groups cannot use funds, some relief and clean‑energy projects are paused and help to communities is reduced.
Difficult words
- ownership — the legal right to own something
- attract — to make people or money come to somethingto attract
- red-tagging — saying people or groups are linked to dangerous groupsred‑tagging
- activist — a person who works for social changeactivists
- harass — treated in a threatening or unfair wayharassed
- freeze — made unable to move or use moneyfrozen
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Discussion questions
- How might people in the communities feel when help is reduced?
- Do you think allowing more foreign ownership helps local projects? Why or why not?
- What could community organisations do if their bank accounts are frozen?
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