Acknowledging Climate Change as a Reality

During the observance of the National Climate Change Consciousness Week, President Benigno Aquino III, as Chairperson of the Philippine Climate Change Commission (Commission), and its members, signed the much-awaited National Climate Change Action Plan. The plan is the country’s roadmap in responding to the global crisis called climate change.

What is the next step? Local government units (LGUs) should now look at climate change adaptation as one of their regular functions and craft the Local Climate Change Action Plans for a start. Local chief executives and lawmakers are now left with no other option but to acknowledge climate change as a reality and act fast.

With the spate of planned reclamation projects in Cordova and Lapu-Lapu City, and another 100 hectares for the proposed transfer of the international airport to Cordova, it is clear that climate change as a social and developmental issue, is still not on the radar screen of political authorities. Civil society must work hand in hand with the business sector and the government, including national agencies, to start the ball rolling for the preparation of the local plans.

Under R.A.9729, the Climate Change Act, LGUs should take full responsibility for climate change adaptation. “Adaptation” as defined by this law means  the “adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities.” Reducing disaster risks and building resiliency of local communities are forms of adaptation to climate change.

R.A. 9729 provides that:

The LGUs are the frontline agencies in the formulation, planning and implementation of climate change action plans in their respective areas, consistent with the provisions of the Local Government Code, the National Framework Strategy on Climate Change (the  “Framework Strategy”), and the National Climate Change Action Plan.

Barangays are directly involved with municipal and city governments in prioritizing climate change issues and in identifying and implementing best practices and other solutions.

Provincial governments provide technical assistance, enforcement and information management in support of municipal and city climate change action plans.

Inter-local government unit collaboration is maximized in the conduct of climate-related activities.

LGUs shall regularly update their respective action plans to reflect changing social, economic, and environmental conditions and emerging issues.

The LGUs shall furnish the Commission with copies of their action plans and all subsequent amendments, modifications and revisions thereof, within one (1) month from their adoption.

The LGUs shall mobilize and allocate necessary personnel, resources and logistics to effectively implement their respective action plans.

The local chief executive shall appoint the person responsible for the formulation and implementation of the local action plan.

The LGU is authorized to appropriate and use the amount from its Internal Revenue Allotment necessary to implement the local plan effectively, any provision in the Local Government Code to the contrary notwithstanding.

It shall be the responsibility of the national government to extend technical and financial assistance to LGUs for the accomplishment of their Local Climate Change Action Plans.

The Framework Strategy adopted in 2010 serves as the basis for a program for climate change planning, research and development, extension, and monitoring of activities on climate change.

Hopefully, LGUs  and stakeholders in Cebu will start crafting the local plans. Vulnerability assessment study should be included in the process “to ensure that the vulnerability of the people, especially the children, to intensifying disasters is fully determined and adequately addressed,” as rightly proposed by the Commission ( https://climate.gov.ph/)

Time is of the essence. We need not start from zero since other LGUs can already be mentors, having already taken leadership roles in ensuring sustainable and resilient communities in their areas.

Albay is leading the way in disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM). Last Nov. 25, President Aquino inaugurated  the trail-blazing Climate Change Academy in the Philippines. Located in Albay, a multi-awarded province for its exemplary DRRM practices, the Academy will serve as “a learning laboratory for other local government units to learn from Albay’s climate-change adaptation and disaster-risk management.” (Business Mirror, 08/10/2010).

A few hours from the city, the municipality of San Francisco, Cebu garnered international awards and recognition for its outstanding DRRM practices and participatory governance at the purok level. Its indefatigable and visionary vice mayor, Al Arquillano, is now attending the Climate Change Conference in Durban.

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MY DAILY RACE BOOK LAUNCH: The principal author of the Magna Carta of Women and a number of landmark legislation for women, children and the marginalized, including the Food and Drugs Administration Act, Cheaper Medicines Act, Mandatory Hepa-B Immunization Act, Expanded Senior Citizens Act, and the Expanded Breastfeeding Act, Sen. Pia Cayetano will be in town Dec. 9 for the launch of her first book. My Daily Race: My Life as a Senator, Mom and Triathlete.

Sen. Pia’s book is a collection of essays and blog posts that traces her journey from 2004 as a reluctant senatorial candidate who would become the youngest woman elected in the history of the Philippine Senate, and later, as the very first Filipino and Asian elected president of a standing committee of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the 122-year-old organization of members of parliaments around the world.

Senator Cayetano devotes particular chapters of the book to her life in politics, sports and as a mother, representing the multi-tasking senator’s interwoven worlds. She shares how her daily race consists of balancing her schedule to fulfill her responsibilities at home with her official duties at the Senate, while still finding time to pursue her passion for sports and advocacies. She also organizes multi-sport events including Pinay in Action, an all women’s run; Bike for Hope, which spreads awareness on health, environment and women empowerment, and the multi-sport Gabriel’s Symphony, which raises funds to help differently-abled children.

The book launch and signing of My Daily Race is a must-not-miss event. Mark the date: Dec. 9, 6:30 p.m. at the Active Zone, Ayala Center, Cebu Business Park, Cebu City.