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Baguio City - The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) launched its 'Depensa! Di ako patatalo sa nagbabagong klima,' campaign here through a press conference Tuesday morning at the Luisa's Café along Lower Session Road.

According to ICSC Campaign Consultant Angelo Kairos Dela Cruz, the Depensa! campaign aims to increase public awareness on the issue of climate change and to mobilize the support of the people together with the different local government units, especially those who are vulnerable to climate change, to help support the immediate passing of the People's Survival Fund (PSF) Bill filed in Congress by Senator Juan Ponce Enrile and Congressman Erin Tañada.

Dela Cruz explained that few people are aware of the PSF bill which if approved will be very critical in the fight against climate change especially for vulnerable areas like Baguio City and Benguet, which is listed as the second most vulnerable province in the country as far as climate change is concerned.

According to de la Cruz, the PSF seeks to establish a fund dedicated to vulnerable local government and communities struggling to adapt to the rapidly changing climate. "The PSF is a reward fund which vulnerable localities that craft climate change adaptation projects or plans can access,' he said.

'The PSF could also help address other issues or problems like livelihood, poverty, health or emerging diseases or even other women concerns that climate change could bring,' Dela Cruz added.

As for PSF funding sources, Dela Cruz also explained that it will be composed of contributions from private, public, foreign and local sources, including annual general appropriations from the national government, percentage from the Motor Vehicle User's Charge, cash dividends from Government Owned and Controlled Corporations and credits earned under the Clean Development Mechanism, among others.

In pushing for the passage of the PSF Bill, ICSC is also now circulating a manifest (of support), in which they aim to be signed by at least 20,000 people all over the country. The ICSC also hopes to convince local chief executives to publicly support the early passage of the said bill. They are also considering asking members of Congress to allocate 10 percent of their Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) to fund the adaptation needs of vulnerable communities.

Baguio City, is part of the second leg of the ICSC's nationwide campaign with Bacolod and Nueva Ecija. For the first leg, ICSC visited Surigao Del Norte and Del Sur and Agusan Province. (PIA)