The Catholic Church is calling on local governments in the Cordillera region of the Philippines to adopt ordinances that recognize the Rights of Nature, which would grant ecosystems legal standing similar to that of humans. This initiative was discussed during a recent conference at the Diocese of Baguio, part of the Church's Green Northern Luzon Project aimed at promoting climate resilience and ecological protection. Yolly Esguerra, national coordinator of the Philippine Misereor Partnership Inc., emphasized the need for new legal frameworks to protect nature effectively, as existing environmental laws are often unenforced. Several bills supporting the Rights of Nature, including House Bill No. 8352 and Senate Bill No. 558, are currently pending in Congress, with backing from numerous lawmakers. The project also addresses pressing environmental issues in the Cordillera, such as waste management and the adverse effects of mining. By integrating indigenous practices and community engagement, the Green Northern Luzon Project seeks to enhance ecological governance and sustainability in the region.