City gears up against climate change

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, August 21 (PIA) — There is no denying it, the world is changing, and changing fast, foremost of which is, the world’s climate. Every nation, every nook in the world is gearing up to meet the challenge of climate change, and Pampanga is no exception.

The city government here, headed by Mayor Oscar Rodriguez, participated in a conference on climate change dubbed Green Productivity, Green Purchasing Towards Green Philippines (GP3) held at SMX Convention Center Manila on August 18-19, SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Complex, Pasay City.

With the theme “Strategies for a Green Economy: Facing Climate Change and Achieving Sustainable Growth,” the event was well-participated in by around 500 participants ranging from the high ranking officials, career executive officials (CEOs), business leaders, top management officers, and decision-makers in the country and from other countries.

The event was organized by the Philippine Center for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development, Inc. (PCEPSDI), in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Neric O. Acosta, GP3 Convener Committee chairman, lauded Rodriguez for his stand on the fight against climate change, stressing that the local sector plays a vital role in order to start a quest and lead towards change.

“Cities like San Fernando and Quezon City have a big opportunity to set as a national example to other local government units,” Acosta said.

During the conference, Rodriguez disclosed that the city of San Fernando has already started its massive campaign against climate change, citing “several programs like solid waste management, Biosphere, Sagip Ilog project, creek cleaning, landfill, and Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) which were already launched and are now being implemented to mitigate climate change and its ill effect.”

He also added that through the help of the newly-established City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office in his city, the implementation of laws like the anti-smoking and anti-littering are ensured.

“The city is resilient, and good governance must be implemented to the different cities in the Philippines,” furthered Rodriguez, who is also president of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP).

Rodriguez assured that the city will pursue a more serious battle against climate change and any hazardous effect concerning Mother nature because “the future is at stake.”

The GP3 Conference is a two-way session that presented the trend, practices, and initiatives on green economy, innovations and opportunities in relation with combating climate change.

It envisions to be one of the biggest awareness campaigns in furtherance of the National Eco-labeling Programme Green Choice Philippines and Sustainable Consumption and Production in the country. (WLB/JGB PIA3)