Advancing the game changers
“Climate change is upon us. Scientists are telling us that we are at the point of no return. The role of the government, really, is to cushion the impact of climate change,” said Climate Change Commission (CCC) Commissioner Albert P. Dela Cruz during the Caraga Regional Climate Change Summit.
Responding to these climate risks, the Philippine government has demonstrated leadership through a strong commitment to a climate policy and institutional reform agenda. In 2009, Republic Act 9729 or the Climate Change Act was created which mandates the mainstreaming of climate change considerations into government policy and planning. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is tasked to oversee the establishment and maintenance of the climate change information management system and network, including climate change risks, activities, and investments, in collaboration with other concerned national government agencies, institutions, and local government units.
One tangible step taken by the DENR, through the CCC, on climate change is the recent identification of the Province of Dinagat Islands as the location for the seven priority programs and projects ranging from water treatment systems, infrastructure, and research, which are hoped to transform the province as the “Silicon Valley” in research and development of the country.
These programs include Dinagat Islands Sustainable Agri-Fishery Development Program (DISAFDP) worth P44.5 million; Sustainable Watershed Management worth P40.5 million; and Enhanced Ecological Solid Waste and Management System amounting with a budget allocation of P427.7 million.
Into the bargain is the national scope of the recent allocation of P2.39 billion for the National Greening Program for a massive forest rehabilitation which covers a land area of 13,565 hectares; 7,249,642 seedlings to be planted; and 158,853 hectares to be maintained for climate change adaptation and mitigation.
These are work in progress that require patience in time and momentum of project implementation. Climate change adaptation and mitigation becomes successful only through sustainability and projects, such as those pipelined in the Province of Dinagat Islands, will address specific goals long-term and will not materialize overnight.
Taking action now
“The government cannot do it alone. We need the support of everyone including private individuals. That is what we call the ‘whole-of-nation approach.’ Kasi kapag dumating ulit si [Bagyong] Odette… lahat sapul sa hangin, lahat mababasa sa ulan, [If another Super Typhoon Odette will come once again, we will all be hit by its wind and drenched by the rain,” Dela Cruz emphasized.
The life and survival threat of climate change calls for everyone to make small individual contributions. Humans are born not as spectators in the fight against climate change, rather, they are duty bearers and force multipliers in the decades-long campaign.
What we can do as responsible citizens is to start with ourselves and take simple steps such as these three doable actions: save energy at home; Reduce, Reuse, Repair and Recycle; and above all, speak up.
At home, save energy by turning off unnecessary lights and unplugging unused appliances. These are easy to do and even children can accomplish these things.
The concept of reduce, reuse, repair and recycle has been aggressively campaigned by the government through Republic Act No. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act. The act enforces all citizens to follow the proper waste segregation and, as much as possible, reduce waste at home, school and work and other institutions.
There is no other perfect time to speak up but now. We need to sound the alarm from where we are to the countryside, to the grassroots and across the globe, so we can have everyone’s commitment to execute individual contributions in the fight against climate change, regardless of age, gender, religion and outlook in life.
We cannot be passive because climate change is already here. The urgent message to everyone is loud and clear: do something and contribute now. (DMNR/RLE/PIA-Caraga)