1st Malolos Green Covenant Signing at 114th Anniversary of Constitutional Congress

By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, September 17 (PIA) -- The Legazpi Declaration is an offshoot of the 1st Philippine Tourism Conference on Climate Change Adaptation held here on August 23. It recommends eco-cultural tourism policies for the betterment of the tourism industry.

This will be one of the commitments to be undertaken in the 1st Malolos Green Covenant during the celebration of the 114th Anniversary of the Opening of the Malolos Constitutional Congress (Sept. 15, 1898) at Barasoain Church in Malolos City on Saturday, September 15, 2012.

The 1st Malolos Green Covenant is the joining of forces among sister cities Malolos and Legazpi, National Government Agencies, the Tourism Industry, Transport and Communications sectors, Education sector, Media and other stakeholders to fully support and implement best working practices in eco-cultural tourism, climate change adaptation and sustainable development in their communities throughout the Philippines.

This Covenant will be showcased in the upcoming 18th Conference of Parties (COP 18) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on November 29-December 7, 2012 in Doha, Qatar.

The historical celebration will revolve on the theme: “Malolos… Cradle of Democracy; Sanctuary of Art Advocates; Paradise of the Golden Race Heritage; Heart of Filipino Culture; and City of Philippine Renaissance!”

Other commitments that will be undertaken in the Covenant include: (1) attainment of the “quadruple bottom line of environmental, social, economic and climate responsiveness” to reduce poverty as declared by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO); (2) attainment of the Millennium Development Goals targets for 2015;

(3) adoption of the Legazpi Declaration urging wide participation in the “Nationwide Search for the Climate Change Awards; (4) preservation of proclaimed cultural heritage sites and properties for current and future generations; and (5) implementation of science-based programs and initiatives that will promote and utilize climate and disaster-proofing measures in the tourism and cultural sectors.

National and local government units as well as other agencies of the government are called upon to incorporate the cultural and tourism sector in sustained and intensified efforts to fulfill existing national commitments to the UNFCCC, guided by the National Framework Strategy on Climate Change (NFSCC), the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP), and local climate-and risk-sensitive development programs; and develop national mechanisms to support tourism enterprise, green jobs competitiveness, including access to finance, development of small and medium enterprises, access to global information and distribution systems, and programs for the public recognition of best working practices in local development like the Philippine National Search for Climate Change Awards, among others.

The Tourism sector, on the other hand, is called upon to abide by, and promote within the sector, official guidelines and procedures promulgated for compliance with international commitments and Philippine laws for the practice of responsible environmental management and tourism; and seek opportunities for improved access to knowledge and environmentally-friendly technologies to protect and develop biodiversity, cultural and natural heritage properties.

All other stakeholders are called upon to establish public, private partnership initiatives to facilitate learning and practical experience in eco-cultural tourism and to enhance capabilities to fulfill their commitments under this Covenant; and to promote and support the nationwide installation of the Solar Bottle Bulb under the Project Isang Litrong Liwanag of My Shelter Foundation in homes of the most vulnerable families and communities in the Philippines.

The signatories of the 1st Malolos Green Covenant are Atty. Christian Natividad, City Mayor of Malolos and Hon. Carmen Geraldine B. Rosal, City Mayor of Legazpi to be witnessed by Nong Rangasa, President and Chairman of the Local Climate Change Adaptation for Development (LCCAD), Inc. and Illac Angelo Diaz, Executive Director, My Shelter Foundation. (MAL/CBV/LCCAD/PIA5)


1,500 delegates join Sorsogon Eco-Youth Summit

By Benilda A. Recebido

SORSOGON CITY, Sept 17 (PIA) -- A collaborative eco-experience for over 1,500 delegates from 14 municipalities and other provinces throughout the Bicol region will convene in a forum dubbed, "Eco-Youth Summit 2012" on October 13 and 14 at the provincial gymnasium.

Summit Project Coordinator Bobby Gigantone said the activity will provide the youth across the region with the opportunity to explore innovative science-based strategies which are socially and culturally acceptable to create, manage, and protect the Bicol’s ecosystem.

Gigantone said the summit will also provide a high-profile platform to encourage exchange of ideas among researchers, planners, and decision-makers to develop a better understanding of the complex nature of ecological systems and the means to protect and enhance their services for sustainable development.

“Eco Youth Summit advocates for the rights of young people and facilitates youth participation in development as well as provide a network for young people to learn and exchange ideas on a range of pressing global issues protecting ecosystem for sustainable development,” he added.

“This also seeks to make government, schools, and communities more responsive to the aspirations of youth for a better world and to place the actions, experiences and ideas of young people on local and national agenda,” he said.

The summit will also highlight the Eco Night Run, the first ever in the province, which is open to all interested participants. The night run will start at 6 p.m. on October 13.

Gigantone emphasized the organizers will only allow the entry of participants who have signed their waiver of liability and declaration with medical certificate.

“Participants below 18 years old may join the race, but their entry forms will be approved or counter-signed by a parent or legal guardian,” he also said.

Categories for the event race open to the public include 10k, 5k and 3k (for kids from 12 years old and below) for both female and male division.

Trophies and cash prizes will be given away for the top three winners in each race division: P5,000 for the first place finisher for the 10k run, P2,000 for the top 5k runner and special prizes for the Top Three winners of the 3k run.

A special award will also be given to the biggest delegation who submits a minimum of 25 entries and the family who will join and cross the finish line together.

Other activities are also lined up such as Green Supermarket, Mangrove Planting, Green Cinema/Film Festival and environmental band concert “Tunog Kalikasan” to make the event more meaningful for the youth delegates.

All interested may keep in touch with the conference secretariat at telephone number  (056) 305-4496 or contact Leny Galan with mobile numbers  0919 4588370 and  0917 5797147 or Joan Basallaje with mobile number  0921 9826240 for further inquiries and reservations.

The summit is spearheaded by the provincial government of Sorsogon under the leadership of Governor Raul R. Lee, Sangguniang Kabataan Provincial Federation led by its president, Board Member Patrick Lee-Rodrigueza and the Vice Mayor’s League of the Philippines Vice President for Luzon, Sorsogon City Vice Mayor Robert Ante Lee-Rodrigueza. (MAL/BAR-PIA5, Sorsogon)