Villar lauds Albay's initiative to fight climate change

Senate President Manny Villar today lauded the local government of Albay for making history as the first province to launch an initiative on climate change adaptation in the country.

Villar will be the Guest Speaker during the launching of the Albay in Action on Climate Change (A2C2) Movement on Friday at the Albay Astrodome in Legazpi City.

"The collective efforts of the local government of Albay headed by Gov. Joey Salceda and the people of Albay in addressing one of the biggest challenges in the 21st century must be commended and emulated," Villar said.

About 14,400 elected barangay officials from the 720 barangays of Albay as well as municipal and city mayors are set to attend the grand launching, which is also spearheaded by the Center for Initiatives and Research on Climate Adaptation (CIRCA).

Villar, also the Nacionalista Party president said, "Climate change is a global concern that must be included in the priority agenda of every government, regardless of its development status."

Like many countries around the world, Villar said the Philippines has been experiencing the devastating effects of climate change through extreme weather occurrences such as tropical cyclones and floods that destroyed properties and people's livelihood, the latest of which was typhoon Frank.

"It is my profound wish that the launching of A2C2 Movement will encourage similar local initiatives all over the country," Villar said.