NCCA +2 TO PUSH FOR A MODEL FOR FINANCING CCA – SALCEDA

LEGAZPI CITY --- The National Conference on Climate Change Adaptation (NCCA) +2 will push for a mechanism that can develop a model for financing climate change adaptation (CCA) by rich nations as their commitment to disaster risk reduction measures.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, lead convenor of the NCCA +2, said at the opening of the three-day that kick off on today (October 26) the conference has adaptation funding as one of its four thematic ingredients which include among others science, policy, practice and funding.

He said “until now, there is no model for financing climate change adaptation. I can not find one despite spending years in the Swissbank. Perhaps, there is none, yet, because adaptation financing is a relatively new field.”

He explained that the recent global economic crisis has already taught the country that it cannot leave markets to their devices; a sustainable world requires an inter-temporal transfer of welfare from the present to the future which means huge sacrifices for the present generation.

It would require state intervention as it would demand more than that with accumulated ecological debt, rich countries must step up to their historical responsibility for climate change and its current adverse impacts.

Climate change adaptation especially disaster risk reduction (DRR) has become more vociferous as a job for the community of nations more so to the rich nations to articulate their commitment to DRR.

Salceda, however, said the climate deal in Copenhagen without a sustainable mechanism for adaptation financing is nothing less than pharisaical.

He pointed out that the CCA practice are both local and national concerns where they rely on domestic resources earmarked but limited calamity funds to finance adaptation and mostly for response, reconstruction and hardly for risk reduction.

“The issue is not only intergenerational but also cuts across income classes. Sadly, those who are least capable of protection are also the most affected and most vulnerable”, Salceda said.

Adaptation increases the cost of development just as it would displace equally pressing social priorities to reduce poverty.

Recent events have been most punishing for the Philippines. First, the revenue base was undermined by the global economic crisis while it was under pressure to join a coordinated global stimulus with its deficit jumping fromP68bn in 2008 to over P300bn in 2009.

Second, a succession of natural calamities jacked up requirements for relief, rehab and reconstruction, thus, the country became a two-time victim.

“It was not a party to the monetary hedonism that led to the global economic crisis which bloated our deficits while it only contributes 0.27% of current carbon emissions” Salceda said. (MSArguelles, PNA/PIA)

DOE, PIA TO HOLD CONSULTATION ON CDM AND CLIMATE CHANGE

LEGAZPI CITY — The Department of Energy (DOE), in cooperation with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Bicol, will hold a public consultation meeting on October 28, at the Casablanca Hotel Social Hall here on Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Climate Change in relation to the compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) distribution Program.

DOE said the program intends to increase consumer awareness on the use of more energy efficient lighting systems to reduce electricity consumption as well as greenhouse gas emissions which highly contribute in the depletion of the environment.

Target participants to the interfacing are the chief executive and chair of the legislative committee on energy of the city government, punong barangays of the different villages in this city, business groups and major stakeholders of the power industry.

The program, one of the seven project areas of the Philippines Energy Efficiency Project (PEEP), is in line with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s nationwide campaign to save on fuel costs and mitigate climate change.

The campaign involves the distribution of free CFLs to eligible beneficiaries to encourage the shift from the inefficient incandescent bulbs (IBs) to CFLs.

DOE stressed the government is targeting to distribute 13,000,000 CFLs nationwide in the coming months, entailing an energy savings of approximately 611,000 MWh per year with an end result of lessening 611,000 MWh per year displaced from fossil fuel power plants connected to the Philippine grid system.

A CFL utilized for 1,000 hours per year only consumed around 13kWh, compared to around 60kWh used up by one incandescent bulb utilized for the same period, saving 47kWh per bulb in one year, the agency stated.

By switching to CFL, households can save on electricity consumption as much as P400 up to P2,400 annually.

In addition to the energy savings that can be derived from the use of CFLs, the project will also benefit from the Certified Emission Reduction (CER) credits that can be secured from the CDM of the Kyoto Protocol.

The program will also reduce the country’s carbon emission by approximately 305,500 tons per year, thus allowing the Philippines to receive at least 200,000 tons of CER credits annually.

The agency also averred sustainable development benefits from the program include achieving energy independence, increased awareness on climate change issues and mitigating measures, participation of communities in mitigating GHG emissions and climate change, work and jobs for distribution and monitoring personnel.

The stakeholders’ consultation also intends to elucidate the salient technical features of the project and associated environmental and social impacts to the participants, on the other hands solicit feedbacks or the populace concerns on the project. (MALoterte, PIA V)

DOLE PUSHES FOR GREEN WORKPLACES

LEGAZPI CITY – “No to pollution, never!”, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Bicol regional director Ernesto C. Bihis stressed over a radio program, when asked about the agency’s contribution to the provincial government-led Albay Eco-Challenge over the week end.

DOLE Bicol, though it did not personally involve its personnel to the physical extremities of the eco-challenge, has launched during the first week of this month the Green Workplaces campaign in line with the national plan on climate change adaptation and mitigation.

“We (at DOLE) are pursuing the Green Workplaces drive by encouraging business establishments to use pollution free machines,” Bihis stressed.

At the national level, labor “think-tank” the Institute for Labor Studies (ILS) contended head-to-head with other climate change adaptation teams nationwide in a friendly competition on the 1st Albay Eco-Challenge yesterday, October 25.

The ILS team, with its Green Workplaces advocacy, was composed of eight employees of the ILS who are ‘geared up’ to run, ride, swim and struggle in a battle of endurance and wits, competed in a series of physical and mental challenges set at the country’s 1st Eco-Challenge on Climate Change Adaptation.

“The institute is one with the nation in the search for practical ways to adapt to climate change,” said ILS Executive Director Cynthia R. Cruz, the prime mover behind the DOLE Green Workplaces advocacy.

“Work, workers and workplaces are most likely to bear the brunt of climate change given the unimaginable damage to livelihood and property that recent natural disasters have caused. Solutions to avert risks must be done,” Cruz added.

The Albay Eco-Challenge, designed to increase awareness on climate change and other important environmental issues, was organized by the Albay Center for Initiatives and Research on Climate Adaptation (CIRCA) as a major part of the 2nd National Conference on Climate Change Adaptation.

During the 1st National Conference in 2007, the Albay Declaration was unanimously adopted, to promote social dialogue between workers and employers to realize potential for green and decent jobs thru positive support for workers and employers in the transition towards environmentally sustainable patterns for production and consumption.

“The ILS will be the official representative of the whole DOLE. It will also be a good tourism opportunity for Bicol GO green workplace!” Bihis said. (RPEscalante, DOLE V/PIA)

DENGUE CASES DOWN BY 19% IN 2009

LEGAZPI CITY — Dengue cases in the Bicol region went down by 19 percent this year compared to the incidence recorded last year, the Department of Health (DOH) Bicol regional office here.

Dr. Camilo Aquino, DOH Bicol Dengue Monitoring regional coordinator, bared from January to October this year the agency recorded a total of 498 cases compared to 616 cases on the same period last year.

For the entire 2008, according to Aquino, DOH Bicol monitored a total of 690 dengue cases in the entire region, with 6 deaths.

For this year, the agency documented two fatalities, one from the municipality of Pioduran, Albay and the other from Naga City in Camarines Sur.

Breakdown of recorded cases has shown that Camarines Sur topped the list with the most number of dengue infection with 191, followed by Albay with 14, Sorsogon with 8, Camarines Norte and Masbate with 2 cases each, while Catanduanes with nil.

Last year, Camarines Sur had 381, Albay 108, Sorsogon 78, Masbate 64, Camarines Norte 31, and Catanduanes 28.

Aquino underscored the decline of dengue cases by 19 percent in the region only manifested that the campaign against this dreaded disease was carried out effectively, giving credit to the 4S strategies recommended by DOH Sec. Francisco Doque III.

These 4S strategies include: search and destroy, seek early consultation, say no to indiscriminate fogging, and self protection.

Aquino also reiterated that residents should continue to practice the 4:00 o’clock habit that will ensure cleanliness in the households’ surroundings, furthermore, barangays should mobilize their dengue brigades to monitor anti-dengue drives in their respective villages.

In Naga City, the city government has turned over Thursday (October 22) an initial of 242 rolls, with each roll measures 25 meters long, of impregnated curtains to several schools within the city as part of the dengue prevention and control drives.

Aquino said the curtains will be installed in the windows to prevent mosquitoes from going into the classrooms and can be used up to 5 years

The project, costing some P2.4 million, is a joint undertaking of the local government, Department of Education (DepED), Department of Health (DOH) and World Health Organization (WHO). (MALoterte, PIA V/ NMediavillo, RNB)

NAHTF HOLDS VISIT AND SERVICE CARAVAN IN CAMARINES NORTE

DAET, CAMARINES NORTE - The National Anti-Hunger Task Force (NAHTF), along with its Bicol regional counterparts will be conducting field visits and service caravan on areas with the Anti-Hunger Mitigation Program (AHMP) in the province of Camarines Norte starting today until October 30.

. Architect Madonna A. Abular of the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) and team leader of the provincial task force, said that a 30-man team composed of Assistant Secretaries and Undersecretaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will be coming to assess the implementation of programs and projects on AHMP.

She said that the team will visit and validate the implementation of the different programs and projects of the local government units and the national government concerned.

AHMP is one of the pro-poor programs of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to increase food production, enhance efficiency of logistics and food delivery and opportunities for livelihood programs.

The Provincial Anti-Hunger Task Force, led by Camarines Norte Governor Jesus Typoco Jr., has identified six municipalities for the visit including the towns of Daet, Talisay, Vinzons, San Lorenzo Ruiz, Merecedes and Labo.

The programs and projects to be visited include: Tindahan Natin outlets, post harvest facilities, farm to market roads, mangrove reforestation, rice and coconut production, animal production, supplemental feeding, pineapple and other livelihood projects, Self Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran (SEA-K), breastfeeding support group, and fish and other marine products projects; and other related programs and projects. (RBManlangit, PIA CamNorte)

4Ps COMMITTED TO FIGHT POVERTY

MASBATE CITY — Some 1,947 beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) have pledged to start taking action and fight poverty by pursuing the seven conditionality of 4Ps.
Parents from the municipalities of Aroroy, Cawaan and Uson in Masbate province have responded positively to the call as part of “Stand Up, Take Action, End Poverty Now” or “Stand United, Fight Poverty” program of the United Nations.

On October 16, this year, the Department of Social Welfare and Development spearheaded an orientation during the community assembly in different barangays of Aroroy and prior to the release of conditional cash grants and cash cards in Masbate City Cultural Center here.

“The orientation has provided a venue for the beneficiaries to know their roles in addressing the problem on poverty through the seven conditionality in support of the five Millennium Development Goals (MDGs namely: a) Eradicating Extreme Poverty and Hunger, b) Achieve Universal Primary Education, c) Improve Maternal Health, d) Reduce Child Mortality, and e) Promote Gender Equality,” said Fenina Cantuba, 4Ps municipal link of Aroroy.

The activity is one of the thousands that were held around the globe as part of the United Nations (UN) program seeking the support of all individuals to take responsibility and persuade their local and national leaders to act on responsibly to ensure the achievement of the MDGs by the year 2015.

Punong Barangay Maria de la Cruz of Nabungsuran, Aroroy testified that months after the implementation of 4Ps, an increasing number of residents have started to seek for medical check-up for the children and pre-natal check-up for the mothers who are pregnant in the Barangay Health Stations (NHS).

“This is indeed our simple way of fighting poverty one with the world. Through our simple actions we are actually taking part in the global aim of attaining the MDG’s”, added Captain De la Cruz.

4Ps is the government’s program that helps fulfill the country’s commitment to meet the MDGs and promote human capital among children and break the intergenerational poverty among poor households.

These conditionality of the program are:

1) Pregnant household member should avail pre and post-natal check-up and be attended by a skilled medical staff when giving birth;
2) children 3-5 years old should attend day care program and be present for at least 85% of classes;
3) children 6-14 should attend elementary or high school education and attend at least 85% of classes per month;
4) children 0-5 years old should be properly and completely immunized;
5) children 6-14 should be dewormed at least twice a year;
6) children should have their monthly check-up; and,
7) parents should attend parent effectiveness seminars.

The activity is coordinated globally by the United Nations Millennium Campaign and Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP) in partnership with different international organizations and agencies. (MZVillagomez, 4Ps-DSWD/PIA)

Palace assures full implementation of Climate Change Act

MANILA — Malacañang is keen on implementing the provisions of the recently signed Climate Change Act to protect the citizens from calamities brought about by weather aberrations that affects the entire world.

In an interview Sunday afternoon, Press Undersecretary Anthony Golez said it was incumbent of the government to ensure proper implementation of all laws not just the Climate Change Act.

He pointed out, however, that addressing climate change is not the sole duty of the government but of the people as well.

The Philippine Climate Change Act of 2009 or Republic Act No. 9729, which was signed into law by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Friday (October 23), calls for the establishment of a program to deal with the effects of typhoons and other weather disturbances, which have been increasing in frequency and intensity as a result of changes in the climatic patterns.

The establishment of a National Framework Strategy and Program on Climate Change will focus on mitigation and adaptation – the two instruments to battle climate change – from the highest levels of government down to the more than 42,000 barangays.

Under the law, an autonomous policy-making body, known as Climate Change Commission, to be headed by the Chief Executive, will set up, coordinate, monitor, and evaluate action plans for the express purpose of preparing the country against heavy rainfall that bring floods and landslides, as well as strong winds, as a result of typhoons.

The law also calls for the creation of a roadmap to reduce risk of disasters on one hand and keep local carbon emissions within manageable levels on the other.

Aptly called Disaster Risk Reduction or DRR, this program includes emergency preparedness and rescue and relief operations.

The Climate Change Commission will have as members the presidents of the League of Provinces, League of Cities, League of Municipalities, and the Liga ng mga Barangay, to mark the crucial involvement of local communities in addressing climate change. (PIA V Release)

PGMA arrives from 15th ASEAN Summit in Thailand

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo arrived Sunday night at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) from Thailand, where she attended the 15th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits in Hua Hin, October 23 to 25.

Accompanied by Press Secretary Cerge Remonde and Trade Secretary Peter Favila, the President was met by a contingent of honor guards.

In an interview, Remonde said the President was pleased with the outcome of the Summit.
Among the highlights of the Summit were the adoption of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), the creation of the Commission on Rights of Women and Children, the agreement to enhance intra-regional connectivity, both in terms of transportation and communication, and the setting-up of a permanent regional emergency rice reserve due to the increased frequency and intensity of natural disasters that hit the region. (PIA V Release)

PGMA orders implementation of Ro-Ro transport in BIMP-EAGA

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered the immediate implementation of a roll-on roll-off transport system in the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East Asia Growth Center (BIMP-EAGA).

The Chief Executive issued the directive during the 6th BIMP-EAGA Summit held at the Cha-am Hua Hin, Thailand Sunday (October 25).

Mindanao Economic Development Council Chair Jesus Dureza said the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will have to undertake a study for such a project, projected to cost P40 million.

This early, however, the President wants the transport system set up in the port of Glan in Sarangani, which she recently inaugurated, and Tahuna in Indonesia.

Indonesia is committed to construct a port at Tahuna.

The President espoused the idea of establishing a roro system within ASEAN during the ASEAN Summit, held here last February.

In the same meeting, the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam agreed to put up a sardines factory in Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte. (PIA V Release)

Reconstruction Commission may borrow from China's $15-B fund

CHA-AM, HUA HIN, Thailand -- The National Public-Private Reconstruction Commission may avail itself of the $15 billion commercial credit from the People’s Republic of China to repair infrastructure projects damaged by typhoons Ondoy in Metro Manila and typhoon Pepeng in Northern Luzon.

The commercial credit will be available to the ten ASEAN member-nations in the next three to five years.

The decision, however, rests on the newly created commission.

Trade Secretary Peter Favila pointed out that the commission, not the government, is making a study on the actual damage and the cost needed to fund the rehabilitation program.

The People’s Republic of China announced during the 12th ASEAN-China Summit held here Saturday that it will raise the preferential part of the commercial credit by $5 billion to demonstrate its support for ASEAN-China cooperation.

China is ASEAN's fourth largest trading and investment partner. Its trade with ASEAN accounts for 10.6 percent of ASEAN's total trade.

In 2008, the bilateral trade volume was $231.1 billion. China's direct foreign investment in the ASEAN reached $2.18 billion in 2008, with an increase of 125 percent compared with that of 2007.

In April during the cancelled ASEAN Summit in Pattaya, Thailand, China announced its plan to establish an ASEAN-China investment cooperation fund primarily designed for cooperation on infrastructure construction, energy and resources, information and communications. (PIA V Release)

Japan supports RP's reconstruction program

CHA-AM,HUA HIN, Thailand --- The Japanese Government expressed Sunday (October 25) support and promised to assist the Philippines in the rehabilitation program it had embarked on following the onslaught of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng, which left billions of pesos worth of damage to infrastructure, agriculture and properties.

Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama also extended his condolences to the victims of the two typhoons, even as he wished the country immediate recovery during a bilateral meeting with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on the sidelines of the 15th ASEAN Summit.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said Japan will donate three doplar radars to complete the 12 radars needed.

''Included of course are the technical support and Official Development Aid(ODA)'', the Press Secretary said.

For her part, the President congratulated Hatoyama on his election as Prime Minister and on the historic victory of his Perty.

She said she looked forward to a strategic partnership of the Philippines and Japan under his leadership.

The President also invited the Japanese Prime Minister to visit the Philippines in view of the important RP-Japan bilateral relations.

According to the President, Japan is one of the members of the International Monitoring Team in charge of development assistance for Mindanao.

In response, Hatoyama said he ''attaches great importance to the peace process in Mindanao and expressed ''hope that peace will materialize.'' (PIA V Release)

PGMA, 9 ASEAN leaders cite need for rice reserve

CHA-AM, HUA HIN, Thailand --- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the nine other ASEAN leaders want to set up a permanent regional emergency rice reserve due to the increased frequency and intensity of natural disasters that hit the region.

ASEAN and Chian, Japan and South Korea, or ASEAN Plus 3, discussed the issue at the 12th ASEAN Plus 3 Summit Saturday at the Dusit Thai Hotel here.

The ASEAN leaders noted that the East Asia Emergency Rice Reserve (EAERR) Pilot Project is due to expire in February 2010. It is thus necessary to transform the project into a permanent aid mechanism under the ASEAN Plus 3 Emergency Rice Reserve(APTERR).

They urged their respective agriculture and foreign ministers, who will meet in Brunei Darussalam next month to work closely towards the early realization of APTERR in order to ensure the continuation of regional food security mechanism after the expiration of the EARR Pilot Project.

They reaffirmed their commitment to ensure food and energy security as high on their priority in accordance with the Cha-am Hua Hin Statement on ASEAN Plus 3 Cooperation Food Security and Bio-energy Development adopted at this summit.

The ASEAN Plus 3 leaders likewise expressed their openness to initiatives and activities to promote cooperation on civilian nuclear energy as they noted the convening of the 2nd ASEAN Plus 3 Forum on Nuclear Energy Safety in China last June as well as Korea's proposal for cooperation on civilian nuclear energy.

The leaders pointed out that progress have been made in the field of energy cooperation especially the development of the Oil Stockpiling Roadmap, the finalization of the 2nd ASEAN Plus 3 Energy Outlook, the reactivation of the ASEAN Plus 3 Energy Communication System and the enhancement of the Joint Oil Data Initiative. (PIA V Release)