‘ADAPTAYO’ drive vs climate change gets boost
OPINION/BUSINESS
Published : Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Page 5
Recognizing the adverse impact of climate change to local economic development, the 122-member strong League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) on Friday declared support behind the DENR’s call for climate change adaptation to help strengthen the country’s resiliency to natural disasters triggered by “climate change.”
In a Convention Declaration, the LCP has vowed to adopt and support the DENR’s “ADAPTAYO” Campaign: Our Nation’s Call for Climate Change Adaptation during the 3rd Philippine Cities Global Convention and Exposition held from November 17 – 19, 2011 at the Resorts World Manila, Pasay City.
ADAPTAYO is an information, education and communication campaign project of the DENR within its United Nations MDGF1656 Project implemented in partnership with the La Liga Policy Institute.
With the theme: “Bridging Cities, Transforming Lives” the three-day event, participated in by 1,000 representatives from Philippine cities and international guests, aims to empower cities for green and sustainable development.
DENR Undersecretary Anna Teh, speaking before participants of the event underscored the need for pro-active approach to addressing the impacts of climate change.
Teh said cities, being engines of growth, should be able to hurdle the stumbling blocks posed by intensifying typhoons, massive flashfloods and even landslides or long season of drought, to ensure sustainable growth and development that would benefit the people.
She lauded the LCP for seriously taking into consideration climate change and its impacts to highly-at risk and vulnerable communities.
“Climate change is becoming more apparent and tangible and the devastating impacts, especially to cities and urban center, are increasing in frequency and magnitude. We need to address this challenge to ensure local economic development,” Alaminos City Mayor and LCP Secretary General Hernani A. Braganza meanwhile said.
“As part of the strategy to promote local economic development, LCP believes that climate crisis necessitates the integration of climate change adaptation as a key element in local development planning,” Mayor. Braganza added.
La Liga, a development policy and research non-government organization took part in the cities convention disseminating ADAPTAYO campaign materials and collaterals as part of the exposition which features the best practices and products of participating cities.
