MANILA, Philippines?Senator Loren Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, urged cooperatives to join in the crusade to make the country disaster- and climate-resilient during the First National Capital Region Cooperative Sector Conference on Climate Change Friday.

?I urge all cooperatives to take up this important task of reviving and nurturing our environment. You must continue to improve your current activities that promote sustainable development, unite and mobilize your collective efforts in confronting the climate change challenge,? Legarda said.

Legarda said cooperatives should focus on green enterprises that make use of recycled and natural materials.

According to Legarda, she has partnered with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) in conducting livelihood programs that promote green skills such as newspaper bag weaving, creating slippers and bags from water lilies, and making accessories.

She said that the cooperatives sector can also forge a partnership with the Small Business (SB) Corporation, which can provide loans to help micro, small and medium enterprises.

She added that it is the task of every citizen to be involved in efforts to reduce disaster risks and adapt to climate change and that the cooperative sector has the capacity to be key participants in meeting the challenge of this global phenomenon. Danica Hermogenes