Urban migration creates environmental risks–UN

THE increasing number of poor people trooping to and staying in the cities is causing environmental risks, a United Nations (UN) official said Friday.

Renaud Meyer, UN Development Program Country director for the Philippines, noted that poverty poses a risk for cities because the poor people are prone to disasters by virtue of exposure to natural hazards. This is made worse by the impact of climate change when cities are supposed to be agents of change towards environmental quality improvement and natural resources enhancement.

“LGUs [local governments] need to strengthen the link between communities and the environment and reflect it in their local development plans, land use plans, and allocation of resources,” Meyer said during the 56th General Assembly of the League of Cities of the Philippines  in the Asian Institute of Management Conference Center, Makati City.

City mayors, according to Meyer, should manage their natural vulnera-bilities, local environment and natural business base to enhance socioeconomic productivity for sustainable development.

He also said that local governments must study and implement the UN initiative on disaster risk reduction and management—which covers training, planning and budget. The plan also includes the strengthening of local governments by using large-scale exercises involving communities on disaster planning and response.

Meyer also urged city mayors and local governments to forge partnerships with local businesses so as to stir significant economic growth in their own community. He also advised local governments to promote and properly manage their natural resources to generate investment and revenues for poverty reduction.

“With the influx of people in urban areas, city mayors and LGUs should be able to deliver public services that is transparent, shows accountability and addresses the MDGs [Millennium Development Goals],” Meyer pointed out, adding that local procurement for public services and goods to be one efficient tool city mayors can use. –Llanesca T. Panti Reporter, Manila Times