Aquino to inaugurate Climate Change Academy in Albay

MANILA, November 24 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III will lead the inauguration of the Climate Change Academy in Albay on Friday in connection with the observance of the Climate Change Consciousness week.

This year’s climate change observance will have a theme “convergence on climate change” which is expected to elicit a higher level of climate change consciousness among media practitioners and eventually the general public.

In a press briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday, Albay Gov. Joey Salceda underscored the importance of institutionalizing the fight against climate change as well as raising public awareness through the media.

“Ang Climate Change Academy is first of its kind in the world, wala pa pong ganyan sa buong mundo. It’s essentially a knowledge management institution,” Salceda said.

Given the vulnerability of the Philippines, being the third most vulnerable country in the world, Salceda said battling or reducing the impacts of climate change is a paramount concern of the government.

“Mahalaga po lalung-lalo na para sa atin na para hindi natin makalimutan yung ating mga natutunan noong Ondoy at Pepeng na halos 3 percent ng GDP [gross domestic product] ang nawala sa isang iglap, wala pa sa anim na oras ay nasira ang buong GDP, yung kinayod ng buong ekonomiya for one year sa loob ng anim na oras nawala po dahil sa isang bagyo,” he said noting the impact of typhoons to the country’s economy.

Other countries that send their participants to the Climate Change Academy in Albay include those from Laos, Myanmar, Kenya, Nepal and many others, Salceda said.

Also, the local government of Albay is also holding the Philippine Media Conference on Climate Change Adaptation on November 24 to 26 that will gather media practitioners and foreign correspondents for a three-day workshop to tackle climate change and the impacts of natural disasters.

The workshop is aimed at promoting the importance of awareness to climate vulnerabilities and the need to accelerate the achievement of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) at the local level. It will also advocate the use of science-based analytical and planning tools on climate change adaptation and disaster risk management.

Among the expected participants include the Philippine Information Agency, Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines, the Malacanang Press Corps and other media organizations.

The three-day gathering is sponsored by the Provincial government of Albay, Climate Change Commission, Presidential Communications Operations Office, Presidential Adviser for Environmental Protection, Presidential Adviser on Climate Change, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Department of Science and Technology (DOST), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Kapisanan ng mga Broadcaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), National Press Club (NPC), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Spanish government. (PCOO)

Philippines adopts National Climate Change Action Plan

MANILA, November 24 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III convened the Climate Change Commission to adopt the National Climate Action Plan in compliance with the country’s international commitments especially to the United Nations Framework for Climate Change Convention.

President Aquino chairs the Climate Change Commission, an independent and autonomous body that has the similar status of a national government agency.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, who met President Aquino at the Palace Tuesday, said the plan is about adaptation to climate change and mitigating its impact particularly on the economy.

The action plan will also become the basis of any assistance that will come from industrialized countries in Europe and the US, which are being blamed for global warming because of massive use of fossil fuels in their industries.

“It’s a critical balance, but I think in the case of the Philippines, it is biased towards adaptation. Adaptation being that you fight the impact of climate change.

Mitigation, because you fight climate change itself,” Salceda said in a media briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday prior to his meeting with the President.

Asked by reporters how prepared is the Philippines about changing weather patterns, Salceda said the country is one of the most well-prepared countries in the world putting in place legislations and guidelines that address climate change.


“Isa tayo sa pinakahanda. Pero hanggang kailan tayo tatagal, iyon na lang po ang diperensya. Kasi kung tataun-taunin ka ba naman na 3 percent ang tatanggalin sa ekonomiya mo, iyong pinag-ipunan mo laging nawawaldas sa wala. You keep rebuilding, you need to earn the same amount of gross value added in the economy, you have to keep investing on your gross domestic capital formation,” he said.

On the average, Salceda said, the country is losing to climate change about 0.31 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP). It may look insignificant but some provinces like Albay is hurt by the impact, he added.

The national action plan will be presented to the climate change conference to be held in Durban, South Africa, and it will be the basis of compensatory measures that rich countries have committed to pay.

“Ang national climate action plan is a requirement so that the EU and Japan, Australia will know just where—kung saan sila papasok para iyong kanilang kino-commit para po sa climate change ay puwedeng gamitin ng Pilipinas,” he said.

Included in the national plan are the guidelines and framework on how the country can use the assistance once it is approved in Durban.

The Philippines will join other countries in pushing for financial assistance to fight climate change as the country’s negotiators leave late this month for Durban.

Last December, negotiators agreed to create a green climate fund that could be accessed by vulnerable countries like the Philippines. They are expected to tackle in the Durban meeting the way to get the money once the fund is approved. (PCOO)

FIRST CLIMATE CHANGE ACADEMY (CCA) SET TO OPEN

LEGAZPI CITY, November 24 – The country’s first Climate Change Academy (CCA) is set for inauguration this week after years of painstaking efforts to develop an institution that is the brainchild of the Centre for Initiatives and Research on Climate Adaptation (CIRCA) for the Provincial Government of Albay (PGA).

CCAcademy is the province of Albay’s response and adaptation measure in a bid to mitigate the adverse impacts of global warming resulting to climate change and extreme weather events.

“The Academy is just one of the many initiatives/programs of CIRCA which the provincial government has put up to gather scientific and actual experiences from various stakeholders that had been consolidated into modules and manuals particularly for the different local government units in the country,” UN senior global champion on climate change adaptation and UN climate fund adviser, Gov. Joey Salceda explained.

Albay Governor Joey Sarte Salceda, UN senior global champion on climate change adaptation and UN climate fund advisor has invited President Benigno Aquino III to be the keynote speaker.

The event coincides with the 1st National Media Conference on Climate Change Adaptation, launched as part of the pre-conference of parties (COP17) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to be held in Durban in South Africa late this month.

The Climate Change Academy (CCA) for Local Government Units (LGUs,) is a concrete output of the MDG-F1656 Albay Demo site of the Joint Programme of the Government of the Philippines (GOP).

The CIRCA is currently implementing the Millennium Development Goal Achievement Fund (MDG-F) 1656 Joint Programme (JP) on Strengthening the Philippine Institutional Capacity to Adapt to Climate Change involving nine Government of the Philippines (GOP) partners and six UN partners with the assistance of the Spanish Government.

Margarita R. Songco, Deputy Director General of NEDA once said “A global issue such as climate change needs local response and action. Development of climate change initiatives lies in the local institutions. Therefore, it is important for local governments to mainstream CCA into local policies and consider vulnerabilities of communities.”

On November 4, 2010, the Climate Change Academy for LGUs in the Philippines was officially launched and an MOU Signing among the Office of the President-Climate Change Commission, the United Nations System and the Provincial Government of Albay during the Opening of the LGU SUMMIT+3i Luzon and the 4th General Assembly of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) witnesed by the Albay Provincial Board Council, representatives from the Spanish Government/AECID and NEDA Central Office.

From its rich history of coping and recent innovative endeavors at disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, it is obvious that Albay is a role model for other LGUs in these areas. It is in the best position to function as a learning laboratory for the other LGUs to learn from.

The CCAcademy also provides the necessary support for mainstreaming the climate change adaptation and risk reduction framework down to the local government units in the Philippines.

Local planners, decision and policy makers and even sectoral agencies, can now have a center of excellence where they can develop competencies on mainstreaming DRR and CCA.

The academy will not only be able to provide the theoretical moorings for climate adaptive localities but it can be a venue for sharing practical experiences and best practices on DRR and climate change impact management.

The CCA is the home of competencies in climate change adaptation through research and training for local climate and disaster risk management policy development, integration, training, and mainstreaming in the Philippines.

As the pre-eminent institution in climate change adaptation in the Philippines, the CCA’s primary purpose is to develop integrated competencies and provide information and technology for building the resilience of communities to climate change impacts.

The mission of the Academy is to advance the community of learning by engaging in S&T research and innovation and in building capacity of government and other sectors to address the impacts of climate change; provide a high quality learning experience to decision makers, community leaders, and local planners to enable them to benefit from the effort of Provincial Government of Albay-Center for Initiatives and Research on Climate Adaptation (PGA-CIRCA) and other institutions and communities in climate change adaptation;

cultivate a learning environment that values intellectual curiosity, pursuit of knowledge, and academic freedom and integrity to prepare the next generations for the challenges of climate change; conduct research, training, and outreach to identify, develop or modify tools and measures for addressing local impacts of climate change; establish a living laboratory and demonstration facility that will showcase innovations, practices and technologies that contribute to climate resilience by improving the quality of life, increasing agricultural productivity, protecting the environment, promoting the well-being of families, and conserving natural resources;

offer educational and training programs, including workshops using the demonstration facility of climate change technologies and lessons from other learning experiences, to individuals and groups establish partnerships with communities and provide educational, technical and cultural support to increase the livability of communities vulnerable to climate change; establish partnerships with government, industry and other organizations to support the success of its mission; and establish and support a community of practice in climate change adaptation and disaster risk management through facilitation of real and virtual information exchange and dialogue among climate practitioners and stakeholders.

The Academy is responsible for the development and strengthening of the theoretical knowledge and practical skills of major local stakeholders on: a) climate and disaster risk assessment, focusing on characterization and evaluation of climate hazards, vulnerabilities and adaptive capacities; b) disaster/climate risk reduction and management; and c) Climate change adaptation /disaster risk management, planning and programming.

The Academy will employ the “Capacity Development for Better Governance” approach on four levels: Awareness on disaster risks/climate change issues; Modular/progressive training on scenario building, climate and disaster risk assessment, and disaster risk management; Technical assistance for mainstreaming of disaster/climate risk management in local planning processes and outputs; and Guided experiential learning in the implementation of “disaster/climate proofing” by local stakeholders.

Science-based Governance:
Albay is showcasing how improved governance through the use of science-based analytical and planning tools for mainstreaming disaster and climate change risk management into the comprehensive land use and development plans of its municipalities and cities as well as into the provincial educational system, translates Into the achievement of the MDGs and long term sustainable development.

Education for Risk Management:

Albay also uses the education sector to develop knowledge and skills on disaster/climate risk management among the young, ensuring a sustainable capacity base among its people. (Example: Lesson Exemplars and Syllabus)

Knowledge Management:

The Academy is the living laboratory of all sectoral case studies in the Philippines through the University of the Philippines Institutes (UPIs); Repository of Knowledge Management Platform of the United Nations.

The Cross Cutting of the Academy includes Capacity Assessment and Development; Competency Development Program and Resource Person Pool; Knowledge Management and Information,

Education and Communication (IEC); Research and Development and Technology Transfer; Training Modules Tools on Disaster and Climate proofing; Monitoring and Evaluation.

Equity:

All Parties (The Nine GOP partners and Six (6) UN partners and Albay) shall mobilize and allocate necessary personnel, resources to effective and efficiently implement and operate the Climate Change Academy for Local Government Units as the first Center of Excellence in the Philippines.

Academy Ownership:

Local ownership--Provincial Government of Albay (PGA) as proponent and host LGU
National Ownership – Government of the Philippines (GOP)
International and global ownership – United Nations System (UNS)/Spanish Government/AECID

Resource Speakers: IPCC Experts and Senior Scientist; NASA Senior Scientists & experts; University of the Philippine Institutes; University of Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia; CLIMSystem Limited ( IPCC experts); National Government Agencies; United Nations Systems Experts & Scientists.

Sosogon Festival to stage “Farmers and Fishermen Got Talent Show”

by Irma A. Guhit

SORSOGON CITY, November 24 (PIA) -- The famous television show ‘Pilipinas Got Talent’ will have its own innovative format here in the forth coming Sosogon Festival this December.

With a more grassroots version, the famous talent show here will be showcasing the varied talents of the people working in the in agricultural and fishery sectors dubbed “Farmers and Fishermen Got Talent Show" (FFGTS).

Adelaida Detera, Sorsogon City Agriculture department head, said that in keeping with this year’s Sosogon Festival, their office will engage the fishermen and farmers to showcase their talent in singing, dancing , Rawit Dawit ( a local way of poetry recitation) and Quiz Bee and will zero in on the theme : How do I Help Adapt and Mitigate the Bad Effects of Climate Change interpreted through a various genre.

In a meeting conducted early this week at the Sorsogon City Agriculture Office, activities to highlight the other side of these workers in agriculture will be staged in a more theatrical presentation showing their mettle and prowess in various artistic fields and knowledge-based competition.

"Here they will not be using their nets and farm tools but their innate God given gifts and these sectors will be shown in a different light," she said.

Sosogon Festival now on its 5th year of celebration has lined up varied activities to highlight the different sectors of society in a more"christmasy spirit".

Mayor Leovic R. Dioneda said that the festival is an avenue for the people of Sorsogon to celebrate ,have fun and share aside from showing the different sector’s way of commemorating the foundation day of this city through the festival.

Meanwhile forms for the competition can be accessed through the city Agriculture Office and deadline is set up to Nov. 25.

Detera is hopeful that giving opportunities to this sector in showcasing their talents is also a way of making them inspired and share something different to the public who view them as land and sea based workers.

Detera also explained that prizes will be at stake to the winners and participants to this competition will add color to this year’s Sosogon Festival 2011 celebration.

She said farmers and fisherfolks are the truly grounded sector in our community who provide us the staple food in our table, this time around watch them show something truly entertaining and prove that they too like others got talent. (MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

500 day care pupils celebrate early X-mas with Rotary Club

VIRAC, Catanduanes, November 24 (PIA) -- A total of 500 Day Care Pupils from San Andres town here received an early Christmas present in forms of bags and school supplies from the Rotary Club of Parañaque East as part of their educational program last November 19, 2011 at San Andres Central Elementary School Gymnasium.

Municipal Mayor Antonio Romano and Councilor Jonathan Joson were in attendance during the gift-giving which benefited 29 Day Care Centers in the said town.

The program aims to help pupils especially those in remote barangays to improve their performance ast school.

Rotary Club of Parañaque has been actively supporting series of medical missions in the province which already benefit 5,000 recipients. They are also providing medicines and medicinal supplies to local hospitals and other groups.

The said gift-giving program is also in cooperation with the Congressional District Office under the leadership of Congressman Cesar V. Sarmiento of the Lone District of Catanduanes. (MAL/EAbagadiong, PIA Catanduanes)

Palace declares Dec. 7 as special holiday in Virac

VIRAC, Catanduanes, November 24 (PIA) -- Malacañang declared December 7, 2011 as a special non-working holiday in the capital town Virac for the celebration of Virac Fiesta.

According to Proclamation No. 827 issued last November 9, 2011 by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa by authority of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, declaring Dec. 7 a holiday is but fitting and proper for the people of Virac to have an opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion.

The celebration of the town’s foundation day also coincides with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 7-8, 2011 which actually starts on November 28 with a Novenario at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral at 5:30 p.m.

Moreover, an Agro-Fair which shall feature best products offered by the town will be held as part of the celebration. There will also be Virac Idol and Best Dance Crew contests on December 2, still a part of the week-long celebration.

On Dec. 3, the Virac Videoke Challenge will be held followed by the Million Volunteer Run spearheaded by the Philippine Red Cross Catanduanes Chapter and Battle of the Bands as well as Beer Plaza on the next day, Dec. 4.

A civic-military parade around Virac downtown and a shoot fest dubbed as Pistoleros’ Shoot Fest at Camp Francisco Camacho will take place on December 7 followed by the vesper ball in the evening.

In the final day of Dec. 8, a concelebrated mass to be led by Bishop Manolo A. delos Santos will be held followed by indigenous and parlor games at Plaza Rizal. (EA Bagadiong, PIA Catanduanes)