VIGAN CITY, Sept. 22 (PIA) – The third leg of the Philippine Information Agency’s climate change road show will gather thousands of environment advocates at the University of Northern Philippines here on September 26, Friday.
The campus and barangay tour comes on the heels of Typhoon Mario which dumped heavy rains last Friday and submerged Metro Manila and nearby provinces including northern Luzon.
At least 2,000 participants composed of students, teachers and non-government organization (NGO) volunteers are expected to gather in a campus forum on climate change jointly organized by the PIA and the youth volunteer arm Pilipinas Natin (PN) under the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO).
Jeff Segulian, PN coordinator, said the campus tour will strengthen public awareness on climate change or global warming.
Segulian will also discuss the PN objectives and advocacy and the importance of social mobilization to lessen the impact of climate change.
PIA Regional Director Jennilyne Role said the campaign inspires and motivates local governments, civic and religious organizations and all sectors of the community especially young volunteers to get on board the government’s climate change advocacy.
“Adaptation capability and building resiliency are things we all need to be informed and put into action,” Role said.
Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Benjamin Abucay will outline the DENR’s accomplishments in promoting the National Greening Program and the campaign against illegal logging while Engr. Michael Chan, action officer, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) tackles the preparation of the council to respond during calamities and emergencies.
Fatima Rocamora, head of UNP’s Human Development and Advocacies, said the climate change advocacy must be the priority of various government agencies and NGO’s because the issue on global warming is alarming.
Meanwhile, a clean up drive and barangay forum will be conducted in Sta. Catalina town, dubbed the “Vegetable Bowl of the North” with the participation of more than 100 volunteers composed of students, Knights of Rizal and other NGO.
Barangay Captain Marianito Rafanan said that this flood-prone barangay with about 1,500 population mostly marginalized farmers and fisherfolk suffered heavily when typhoon Feria devastated the province in 2001.
The climate change road show was previously conducted in the provinces of Pangasinan and Ilocos Norte. After the Ilocos Sur leg, the campus forum will continue in La Union province.
A barangay forum in Bacnotan town was held last September 19 where more than 300 participants gathered. - PIA