LOREN AND EU FOR CLIMATE CHANGE IN ACTION

Calling attention to the hazards of climate change as demonstrated by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng, Sen. Loren Legarda yesterday afternoon (Oct. 13) opened a photo exhibition and forum on "Fighting Climate Change" in the Senate.

The Photo Exhibit was organized by the delegation of the European Commission to the Philippines, under the leadership of Ambassador Alistair MacDonald and the Philippine Center for Photojournalism, supported by the Oversight Committee on Climate Change chaired by Senator Legarda. The forum was sponsored by the delegation of the European Commission and the Senate Oversight Committee on Climate Change.

In her remarks, Loren stressed the urgency of confronting the climate crisis, "not tomorrow, but today."

"While climate change has recently been at the forefront of international and local discourse, it is perhaps only now that we have seen its devastating impacts," said Loren, citing the consequences of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng.

She said it took these two calamities "for us to realize the urgent need to confront the drivers of our vulnerability to disasters and climate change - poor urban governance, vulnerable rural livelihoods and ecosystems decline - in order to save lives and secure livelihoods."

Among the lessons learned, she said, are to strengthen urban governance, implement the solid waste management law, clean all clogged esteros, canals, and other waterways and dredge rivers at full speed.

She also stressed the need for relocating people to safer communities to minimize casualties in the face of oncoming calamities, protection of the ecosystem and enhancing rural livelihoods by improving agricultural methods.

She also lauded the leadership of the Congress in facing up to climate change by passing legislation, such as the Climate Change Act of 2009, which is now pending signature by the President.

Upon her initiative, the Senate created the Standing Committee on Climate Change and the Oversight Committee on Climate, reflecting a change of mindset among the members of the institution who have now become more concerned and committed to helping the national government address these global concerns.

The Senate has likewise passed the Disaster Risk Reduction, Management and Recovery bill. Through this measure, the local and national calamity funds can be used for climate change-related activities and not just for post-disaster response.

"We have concurred with the ratification of the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response or the AADMER, which will intensify the cooperation between ASEAN nations in early warning, prevention, preparedness, response and rehabilitation," she added.

"Clearly, the Philippine Congress, both the Senate and the House of Representatives, have to work together in ensuring that climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction is a national priority in policy formulation and in budget legislation," she averred.