Philippines: LGUs, gov’t. agencies to craft climate change adaptation, DRR framework
PIA press release by Marlon A. Loterte
Legazpi City - Local governments’ senior officials across the Bicol region will convene next week to be trained on capacity development which is envisioned to pave the way in formulating the Bicol regional framework and action plan (BRFAP) on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation.
Manuel “Nong Rangasa, executive director of the Climate Change Academy (CCA) - Center for Initiatives on Climate Adaptation (CIRCA), said that this is an opportune time for senior technical staff to enhance their capabilities through localized knowledge management of climate change, integration of disaster risk reduction and adaptation strategies.
Meanwhile, United Nations (UN) Senior Global Champion on Disaster Risk Reduction and Albay Governor Joey Salceda said the negative impacts of climate change will hit the vulnerable sectors and especially the poor people in the communities causing loss of lives, food shortage, increase in water-borne diseases, damage to critical key assets and degradation of natural resources upon which livelihood activities of Bicol are largely dependent.
Salceda expressed fears of these threats that could hinder the attainment of the millennium development goals (MDGs) and the improvement of the human development index (HDI) in the provinces of Camarines Sur and Norte, Catanduanes, Masbate, Sorsogon and Albay.
The training will make LGUs further understand climate change impacts in their localities and find their best adaptation strategies such as contingency plan with disaster risk reduction and climate change considerations.
The training is a partnership among the Office of Civil Defense, Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRMC) R5, the Provincial Government of Albay (PGA), CCA-CIRCA, Joint Program United Nations MDG Achievement Fund:1656 Albay Demo, and the Spanish Government.
On the training and action planning, Rangasa pointed out that the inclusion of anticipatory adaptation plans in the provincial level strategic planning will mitigate, if not minimize, potential impacts and prevent casualty during disasters.
Participants include provincial officers of planning and development office, agriculture services office, engineering office, environment and natural resources offices , health offices, disaster risk reduction and management council (DRRMCs), and the Philippine National Police provincial offices, regional agencies like the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Science and Technology (PAGASA, PHIVOLCS), Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Commission on Civil Service (CSC), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Commission on Audit, HLURB, Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force, Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard.
The trainees are also expected to appreciate provincial considerations for disaster risk reduction and climate decision-making aspects. To this end, trainees should also be able to come up with hazard and risk mapping and contingency planning integration with disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation considerations.
CCA-CIRCA sets the training and action planning on April 26-28, 2011. (MAL, PIA V/Albay)