MANILA, Philippines—Senators Loren Legarda and Pia Cayetano Wednesday sought to recast next year’s proposed P1.541-trillion budget to make it more responsive to disaster mitigation and preparedness.
Both senators said deliberations on the General Appropriations Act of 2010, which will resume on Monday, should focus on giving more funds to programs that will help the country cope with the effects of climate change.
The Senate hopes to pass the budget before adjourning for the Christmas break.
Legarda wants funding for the Climate Change Act of 2009, which she authored. Signed into law by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Oct. 23, the act calls for the creation of a Climate Change Commission. It seeks the purchase of more pump boats and other rescue equipment; development of water-submersible crops; and improvement of local area disaster response operations. It also calls for steps to reduce carbon emissions and increase forest cover as risk reduction measures.
Cayetano, on the other hand, called for budget realignments to finance other pro-environment laws and programs.
Cayetano wants to reinstate the P2-billion slash in the proposed budget of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
In a statement, Cayetano, chair of the Senate committee on social justice, noted that the budget of the DENR had been reduced from P12.9 billion this year to only P10.7 billion in 2010.
The budget cut will affect, among others, existing programs such as watershed rehabilitation, cadastral surveys and biodiversity conservation, she said.
Capital outlays for forest restoration and the acquisition of modern equipment for pollution monitoring and geo-hazard mapping will also be affected, Cayetano said.
Cayetano also wants to see money allocated for the relocation of more than half a million squatters living around waterways in Metro Manila.
She said the government would need P3.2 billion annually in the next 10 years to build 22,689 social housing units to accommodate 545,000 households.
Both Legarda and Cayetano said the recent calamities brought on by Tropical Storm “Ondoy” and Typhoons “Pepeng” and “Santi” should serve as eye openers for the people and the government.
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Source: http://www.inquirer.net/propertyguide/aroundtown/view.php?db=1&article=20091105-234285
Showing posts with label vice president. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vice president. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Loren urges for more government support for local agriculture to compete
PASSI CITY, Iloilo, Oct. 29 - Sen. Loren Legarda today urged for more government support and “safety nets” for agricultural industries, including sugar, in the light of the free trade agreement among members of the Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN).
Loren made the appeal in the light of the of the signing of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) during the 14th ASEAN Ministers’ summit in Thailand on February 26, 2009, drastically lowering tariffs on agricultural products like rice and sugar in ASEAN trade.
“The industry needs to brace itself for the impact of trade liberalization within the ASEAN,” said Loren, referring to the agreement. While the objective is to establish a free flow of goods in the ASEAN market, Philippine agricultural products like sugar and rice will be placed at a disadvantage in the short run because of their being uncompetitive.”
The Philippines is the world’s biggest rice importer, importing rice mostly from Vietnam and Thailand, while the Philippines’ sugar production has been on a decline.
“Economic integration can be a two-edged sword. There is hope that our commitments to the ATIGA will provide the impetus for our industries to align themselves along areas of competitive advantage in the long run. However the adjustment process in the immediate term is quite worrisome, especially in the light of the impending fiscal crisis and the havoc wreaked on our agriculture by the recent natural disasters,” said Loren.
Addressing the 39th annual meeting of the Jalasig Sugarcane Planters Association here, Loren, who is the chair of the Senate committee on food and agriculture, warned that unless “we succeed in listing sugar in the highly sensitive list, tariff on imported sugar under the AFTA will be slashed from 38% to 28% in 2010.
“Even if we succeed, the measure will provide only transitory relief. Beyond the short term, our government needs to overcome the utter neglect that has characterized its past performance, and provide real safety nets and support mechanisms that will help agriculture become competitive. That is my vision for the sugar industry, and for Philippine agriculture as a whole.”
The Philippines is also negotiating with Thailand for a 35 percent tariff on rice imports, while Thailand wants the Philippines to cut the tariff to 20 percent. This would place the local rice industry under a graver threat from more massive rice importations as the world’s largest importer of the staple.
Lower tariffs on Philippine agricultural products would place them at a disadvantage in competition with similar products from ASEAN countries because of the higher cost of local agricultural production. This would give less incentive for Filipino farmers to produce more to cover the local market.
In the case of the sugar sector, Loren noted that there has been a decline in sugar production.
“I understand that this year has been relatively benign for the domestic sugar industry. Philippine Sugar Millers Association President (PSMA) Archimedes Amarra said that we already completed shipments to US on March 20, 2009 and by the end of 2009 we could ship to the world market 100,000 metric tons. He assures us that that there is enough supply to cope with the demand even though production has been declining due to high input costs.
“Actual sugar production at 2.197 million metric tons has enabled the country’s ending inventory of domestic sugar to regain reasonably normal levels. However this is a big dip from the 2007/2008 crop year output of 2.45 million metric tons …”
Loren said that as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, she had initiated measures aimed at reshaping government policy towards agriculture.
“At the end of my term, I hope to leave behind a legacy that will promote competitiveness in agriculture. This legacy consists of three major pieces of legislation, namely the Agricultural Extension Bill, the Agri Agra Bill which has already passed the Bicameral Conference Committee, and the reorientation and restructuring of the budget of the Department of Agriculture,” said Loren.
Under the agricultural extension bill which she is sponsoring, Loren hopes to further strengthen and expand agricultural extension aid to farmers by providing more incentives such as higher salaries and more technical equipment to the country’s 20,000 extension workers. These workers spread more knowledge and technical expertise to farmers in improving their production.
The Agri-Agra bill would provide more credits to farmers and agricultural workers through the private commercial banks by amending the presidential decree currently governing such loans, enabling banks to provide easier credits to agriculture.
Loren wants to provide more budgetary support to critical areas of agriculture and fisheries to increase production and provide more income farmers and fisherfolk.
Source: http://www.lorenlegarda.com.ph/article-1256796881.html
Loren made the appeal in the light of the of the signing of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) during the 14th ASEAN Ministers’ summit in Thailand on February 26, 2009, drastically lowering tariffs on agricultural products like rice and sugar in ASEAN trade.
“The industry needs to brace itself for the impact of trade liberalization within the ASEAN,” said Loren, referring to the agreement. While the objective is to establish a free flow of goods in the ASEAN market, Philippine agricultural products like sugar and rice will be placed at a disadvantage in the short run because of their being uncompetitive.”
The Philippines is the world’s biggest rice importer, importing rice mostly from Vietnam and Thailand, while the Philippines’ sugar production has been on a decline.
“Economic integration can be a two-edged sword. There is hope that our commitments to the ATIGA will provide the impetus for our industries to align themselves along areas of competitive advantage in the long run. However the adjustment process in the immediate term is quite worrisome, especially in the light of the impending fiscal crisis and the havoc wreaked on our agriculture by the recent natural disasters,” said Loren.
Addressing the 39th annual meeting of the Jalasig Sugarcane Planters Association here, Loren, who is the chair of the Senate committee on food and agriculture, warned that unless “we succeed in listing sugar in the highly sensitive list, tariff on imported sugar under the AFTA will be slashed from 38% to 28% in 2010.
“Even if we succeed, the measure will provide only transitory relief. Beyond the short term, our government needs to overcome the utter neglect that has characterized its past performance, and provide real safety nets and support mechanisms that will help agriculture become competitive. That is my vision for the sugar industry, and for Philippine agriculture as a whole.”
The Philippines is also negotiating with Thailand for a 35 percent tariff on rice imports, while Thailand wants the Philippines to cut the tariff to 20 percent. This would place the local rice industry under a graver threat from more massive rice importations as the world’s largest importer of the staple.
Lower tariffs on Philippine agricultural products would place them at a disadvantage in competition with similar products from ASEAN countries because of the higher cost of local agricultural production. This would give less incentive for Filipino farmers to produce more to cover the local market.
In the case of the sugar sector, Loren noted that there has been a decline in sugar production.
“I understand that this year has been relatively benign for the domestic sugar industry. Philippine Sugar Millers Association President (PSMA) Archimedes Amarra said that we already completed shipments to US on March 20, 2009 and by the end of 2009 we could ship to the world market 100,000 metric tons. He assures us that that there is enough supply to cope with the demand even though production has been declining due to high input costs.
“Actual sugar production at 2.197 million metric tons has enabled the country’s ending inventory of domestic sugar to regain reasonably normal levels. However this is a big dip from the 2007/2008 crop year output of 2.45 million metric tons …”
Loren said that as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, she had initiated measures aimed at reshaping government policy towards agriculture.
“At the end of my term, I hope to leave behind a legacy that will promote competitiveness in agriculture. This legacy consists of three major pieces of legislation, namely the Agricultural Extension Bill, the Agri Agra Bill which has already passed the Bicameral Conference Committee, and the reorientation and restructuring of the budget of the Department of Agriculture,” said Loren.
Under the agricultural extension bill which she is sponsoring, Loren hopes to further strengthen and expand agricultural extension aid to farmers by providing more incentives such as higher salaries and more technical equipment to the country’s 20,000 extension workers. These workers spread more knowledge and technical expertise to farmers in improving their production.
The Agri-Agra bill would provide more credits to farmers and agricultural workers through the private commercial banks by amending the presidential decree currently governing such loans, enabling banks to provide easier credits to agriculture.
Loren wants to provide more budgetary support to critical areas of agriculture and fisheries to increase production and provide more income farmers and fisherfolk.
Source: http://www.lorenlegarda.com.ph/article-1256796881.html
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Luntiang Pilipinas Revisited
A nationwide forestry program committed to the promotion of environmental protection.
THE CHALLENGE
The deterioration of the country's forest areas is the root of our water crisis, flooding and imbalanced ecosystem.
Illegal loggers plundern hardwood wherever they are: in precious and life-giving watershed areas, and even in protected areas like our national parks and forest reservations.
Most of our 125 proclaimed watershed areas are covering a total of 1.5M hectares have been classified as deteriorating or dying. We lose 1.4 percent of our forest cover every year.
Total protected area is only 2.5 million hectares or just 9 percent of total land area of the country. Protection is mostly nominal. There is only one forest guard for every four thousand hectares.
OUR EFFORTS
Luntiang Pilipinas is a nationwide tree-growing program that seeks to create Forest Parks in urban areas- in national and local government centers, school grounds, chruch yards and along roadsides.
The foundation envisions itself in the next ten years to be catalyst in the protecting and preserving the environment through the:
- Creation of an atmosphere for a sustainable Green Philippines.
- Institutionalization of a Corps of Green Crusaders among Filipinos, especially the youth to sustain the environmental program.
- Effecting change in values and attitudes through environmental information, education, and communication (IEC) and;
- Intensification of multi-stakeholder cooperation in sustainable development.
PROJECTS
It was on October 28, 1998 when Luntiang Pilipinas was launched by Senator Loren Legarda at the Rizal Park. It was institutionalized and operationalized as a complementing private initiative program on nationwide urban forestry with the primary aim of raising the level of consciousness of Filipinos to the value of trees.
REGULAR FOREST PARKS
This involves the development of Forest Parks in provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays nationwide and every conceivable areas such as church yards , town plazas, and many other available places. The partnership with the local government units is vital in institutionalizing environmental awareness and management in local governance. A number of Memoranda of Agreement have been entered into by Luntiang Pilipinas with various LGUs, NGOs and POS to effectively carry out the objectives of the program.
CAMPUS FOREST PARKS
This is part of the strategic approach of bringing the concept of environmental protection to the youth by creating Forest Parks in school campuses.
NORTH-SOUTH EXPRESSWAY (NSEW) GREENBELT PROJECT
The project calls for the creation of the Forest Park in each of the 52 loops of the 127-Kilometer stretch NSEW from Calamba, Laguna to Dau, Pampanga by planting 12, 000 to 15, 000 trees in each loop. At the same time trees are planted two to four meters apart depending on the tree specie. This is a joint undertaking with the Philippine National Construction Corporation (PNCC)and the Manila North Tollways Corporation.
TRAFFIC ISLAND FOREST PARKS
The inauguration of the Buendia Center Island Forest Park project gave impetus to the launching this new environmental endeavor. With the support and assistance of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the mayors if the cities and municipalities in the National Capital Region, this project aims to create Forest Parks in selected traffic islands in various parts of Metro Manila.
THE FOUNDER
Senator Loren Legarda has been hailed as a "Green Crusader" because of her staunch advocacy of environmental issues, particularly those pertaining to forest and marine resources. As a legislator, she has authored and co-authored two landmark environmental legislattions: the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003).
In 2001, Loren was elected to the prestigious Global 500 Roll of Honor for environmental Achievement by the United Nations Environment Program in Turin, Italy and to the Global Leaders of tomorrow (GLTs) for 2000 by the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. She was also awarded by the Priyadarshni Academy in India for her exemplary contributions to the environment. She was a Likas Yaman (Natural Treasure) awardee of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for her outstanding work as founding chair of the Save Our Seas (SOS) and Trees for Life Foundations.
As a broadcast journalist for more than 20 years, she championed the cause for a more healthful ecology for heightening public awareness of environmental problems through her television programs "Pep Talk" and "The Inside Story". Her subsequent newsmagazine program "Earth Link" became the first television documentary series on the environment and was awarded both the KBP Golden Dove Award and the EarthSavers Media Award on its maiden season.
Senator Loren continues to fight for Mother Nature and with your help, we will make our environment greener, in a more progressive and healthy Philippines.
SUMMARY OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS
More than TWO MILLION TREES have been planted in approximately 5oo Hectares across the country visible in 33 provinces, 28 cities and 84 municipalities made possible through assistance of over 240 institutional partners including 28 corporate donors and benefactors, 22 national government agencies, 21 non-governmental organizations (NGO), 22educational institutions, two international/foreign entities and countless individuals backed up by a well planned information, education and communication (IEC) campaign with the primary aim of raising the level of consciousness among Filipinos to the value of trees.
THE CHALLENGE
The deterioration of the country's forest areas is the root of our water crisis, flooding and imbalanced ecosystem.
Illegal loggers plundern hardwood wherever they are: in precious and life-giving watershed areas, and even in protected areas like our national parks and forest reservations.
Most of our 125 proclaimed watershed areas are covering a total of 1.5M hectares have been classified as deteriorating or dying. We lose 1.4 percent of our forest cover every year.
Total protected area is only 2.5 million hectares or just 9 percent of total land area of the country. Protection is mostly nominal. There is only one forest guard for every four thousand hectares.
OUR EFFORTS
Luntiang Pilipinas is a nationwide tree-growing program that seeks to create Forest Parks in urban areas- in national and local government centers, school grounds, chruch yards and along roadsides.
The foundation envisions itself in the next ten years to be catalyst in the protecting and preserving the environment through the:
- Creation of an atmosphere for a sustainable Green Philippines.
- Institutionalization of a Corps of Green Crusaders among Filipinos, especially the youth to sustain the environmental program.
- Effecting change in values and attitudes through environmental information, education, and communication (IEC) and;
- Intensification of multi-stakeholder cooperation in sustainable development.
PROJECTS
It was on October 28, 1998 when Luntiang Pilipinas was launched by Senator Loren Legarda at the Rizal Park. It was institutionalized and operationalized as a complementing private initiative program on nationwide urban forestry with the primary aim of raising the level of consciousness of Filipinos to the value of trees.
REGULAR FOREST PARKS
This involves the development of Forest Parks in provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays nationwide and every conceivable areas such as church yards , town plazas, and many other available places. The partnership with the local government units is vital in institutionalizing environmental awareness and management in local governance. A number of Memoranda of Agreement have been entered into by Luntiang Pilipinas with various LGUs, NGOs and POS to effectively carry out the objectives of the program.
CAMPUS FOREST PARKS
This is part of the strategic approach of bringing the concept of environmental protection to the youth by creating Forest Parks in school campuses.
NORTH-SOUTH EXPRESSWAY (NSEW) GREENBELT PROJECT
The project calls for the creation of the Forest Park in each of the 52 loops of the 127-Kilometer stretch NSEW from Calamba, Laguna to Dau, Pampanga by planting 12, 000 to 15, 000 trees in each loop. At the same time trees are planted two to four meters apart depending on the tree specie. This is a joint undertaking with the Philippine National Construction Corporation (PNCC)and the Manila North Tollways Corporation.
TRAFFIC ISLAND FOREST PARKS
The inauguration of the Buendia Center Island Forest Park project gave impetus to the launching this new environmental endeavor. With the support and assistance of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the mayors if the cities and municipalities in the National Capital Region, this project aims to create Forest Parks in selected traffic islands in various parts of Metro Manila.
THE FOUNDER
Senator Loren Legarda has been hailed as a "Green Crusader" because of her staunch advocacy of environmental issues, particularly those pertaining to forest and marine resources. As a legislator, she has authored and co-authored two landmark environmental legislattions: the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003).
In 2001, Loren was elected to the prestigious Global 500 Roll of Honor for environmental Achievement by the United Nations Environment Program in Turin, Italy and to the Global Leaders of tomorrow (GLTs) for 2000 by the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. She was also awarded by the Priyadarshni Academy in India for her exemplary contributions to the environment. She was a Likas Yaman (Natural Treasure) awardee of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for her outstanding work as founding chair of the Save Our Seas (SOS) and Trees for Life Foundations.
As a broadcast journalist for more than 20 years, she championed the cause for a more healthful ecology for heightening public awareness of environmental problems through her television programs "Pep Talk" and "The Inside Story". Her subsequent newsmagazine program "Earth Link" became the first television documentary series on the environment and was awarded both the KBP Golden Dove Award and the EarthSavers Media Award on its maiden season.
Senator Loren continues to fight for Mother Nature and with your help, we will make our environment greener, in a more progressive and healthy Philippines.
SUMMARY OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS
More than TWO MILLION TREES have been planted in approximately 5oo Hectares across the country visible in 33 provinces, 28 cities and 84 municipalities made possible through assistance of over 240 institutional partners including 28 corporate donors and benefactors, 22 national government agencies, 21 non-governmental organizations (NGO), 22educational institutions, two international/foreign entities and countless individuals backed up by a well planned information, education and communication (IEC) campaign with the primary aim of raising the level of consciousness among Filipinos to the value of trees.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Dealing with climate change
I am very happy, as so many others are too, that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed into law the Climate Change Act of 2009.
The Inquirer’s front page shows Sen. Loren Legarda beaming with joy after her bill was signed by the President and finally we have a law that would define and prescribe to our people and government concrete ways to protect the environment and deal with the effects of climate change.
For the past number of years, we have seen the failure of government agencies tasked to protect our environment. These agencies, in many instances, were even accused of asiding with institutions out to destroy what is left of our forests to the consternation of many honest but much maligned environmentalists.
I would like to think the anger of local government units and the public against envrionmentalists is misplaced. These green crusaders are here basically to speak in behalf of the planet that cannot protect itselft against abuse. We must be grateful for them for looking out for the protection of the public from possible ill effects of harardous elements dumped in our localities.
One thing is clear: nobody has the right to dump garbage just anywhere. There is a need for us to prepare for the impact of climate change and find ways to mitigate it. What happened in central and northern Luzon areas, which were badly hit by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng, should serve as a wakeup call for the entire country.
Even weathermen are confused by the way the new typhoon, “Ramil” is behaving. These past few days it they’ve had a hard time forecasting its path and its speed. Recent typhoons are more powerful, destroying dwellings, livelihood and lives.
I could have a litany of violations of environmental laws committed by citizens and government agencies, but what’s important now is to act and act swiftly.
Source: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/opinion/view/20091025-232180/Dealing-with-climate-change
The Inquirer’s front page shows Sen. Loren Legarda beaming with joy after her bill was signed by the President and finally we have a law that would define and prescribe to our people and government concrete ways to protect the environment and deal with the effects of climate change.
For the past number of years, we have seen the failure of government agencies tasked to protect our environment. These agencies, in many instances, were even accused of asiding with institutions out to destroy what is left of our forests to the consternation of many honest but much maligned environmentalists.
I would like to think the anger of local government units and the public against envrionmentalists is misplaced. These green crusaders are here basically to speak in behalf of the planet that cannot protect itselft against abuse. We must be grateful for them for looking out for the protection of the public from possible ill effects of harardous elements dumped in our localities.
One thing is clear: nobody has the right to dump garbage just anywhere. There is a need for us to prepare for the impact of climate change and find ways to mitigate it. What happened in central and northern Luzon areas, which were badly hit by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng, should serve as a wakeup call for the entire country.
Even weathermen are confused by the way the new typhoon, “Ramil” is behaving. These past few days it they’ve had a hard time forecasting its path and its speed. Recent typhoons are more powerful, destroying dwellings, livelihood and lives.
I could have a litany of violations of environmental laws committed by citizens and government agencies, but what’s important now is to act and act swiftly.
Source: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/opinion/view/20091025-232180/Dealing-with-climate-change
GMA signs Climate Change Act
President Arroyo holds up a copy of the Climate Change Act of 2009 after she formally signed it into law at Malacanang’s Ceremonial Hall yesterday. Looking on are (from left) Sen. Loren Legarda, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Laguna Rep. Maria Evita Arago, Mandaluyong Rep. Neptali Gonzales Jr., Paranaque Rep. Roilo S. Golez, and Ilocos Sur Rep. Eric Singson. Willy Perez
| Zoom MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo approved yesterday a law seeking to lessen the impact of climate change in the Philippines.
Meanwhile, Britain warned yesterday that the country would experience more typhoons, floods, droughts, heat waves and crop production shortages as a result of climate change.
Republic Act 9729, the Philippine Climate Change Act of 2009, creates a powerful body that would formulate and implement plans for the country to better prepare for and respond to natural disasters.
It also aims to attract foreign financing for adaptation and risk reduction projects.
Mrs. Arroyo signed the bill into law at Rizal Hall in Malacañang with members of Congress, diplomats, local officials, business leaders, environment advocates, the academe, and religious leaders in attendance.
“The signing into law of the Climate Change Act of 2009 ushers in a new era in the way the Philippines will tackle climate change in both the short and long terms, for the benefit of Filipinos today and for Filipinos yet unborn,” Mrs. Arroyo said in a statement.
The law creates the Climate Change Commission, a policy making body attached to the Office of the President tasked with coordinating, monitoring and evaluating programs and action plans relating to climate change.
Headed by the President, the four-member commission will be autonomous and shall have the same status as a national government agency.
Members of the commission must be experts in the field and will hold office for six years and may be reappointed, provided that no person shall serve for more than two consecutive terms.
Backed by a panel of technical experts, the commission has six months upon the law’s effectivity to come up with the National Framework Strategy and Program on Climate Change.
The commission’s advisory board will be composed of heads of concerned government departments as well as representatives from the academe, the business sector, non-government organizations, and from the disaster-risk reduction community.
In a statement, British Embassy charge d’affaires Colin Crorkin said storm “Ondoy” and typhoon “Pepeng” gave a glimpse of what’s in store if climate change is neglected.
“The UK congratulates the Philippine government’s step in the right direction with the Climate Change Act, which was signed into law by Pres. Arroyo today,” he said.
Crorkin was citing a new map illustrating the global consequences of failing to keep climate change in check.
“Food shortage, disease and conflict as a result become very real possibilities,” he said.
“We also welcome the Philippines’ strong stand on climate change issues in the international stage.”
The new map was launched today by the UK Government, with 45 days to go before international climate change talks begin in Copenhagen.
British ministers are pressing for the most ambitious deal possible in order to avoid these dangerous impacts.
The map, launched at the Science Museum by UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband, Climate and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, along with the UK’s Chief Scientist John Beddington, was developed using the latest peer-reviewed science from the Met Office Hadley Centre and other leading impact scientists.
The poster highlights some of the impacts that may occur if the global average temperature rises by four degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial climate average.
Ahead of December’s international climate change talks in Copenhagen, the Government is aiming for an agreement that limits climate change as far as possible to 2 degrees Celsius. Increases of more than 2 degrees will have huge impacts on the world.
The poster shows that the average land temperature will be 5.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels. The impacts on human activity shown on the map are only a selection of those that may occur, and highlight the severe effects on water availability, agricultural productivity, extreme temperatures and drought, the risk of forest fires and sea level rise.
Paranaque Rep. Roilo Golez, principal author of RA 9729 in the House of Representatives, said an executive director to be appointed by the President would head the commission’s technical staff.
“It is hoped that a technically competent person with solid climate change and science credentials will be appointed executive director,” he said.
Golez said the first challenge for the commission is participation in the climate change conference in Copenhagen in December.
“Developing countries are worried that reducing carbon emissions would hinder their growth, while developed nations do not want climate change measures to slow down their economies and change the lifestyle of their peoples,” he said.– With Donnabelle Gatdula, Pia Lee-Brago, Jess Diaz
Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=517009&publicationSubCategoryId=63
| Zoom MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo approved yesterday a law seeking to lessen the impact of climate change in the Philippines.
Meanwhile, Britain warned yesterday that the country would experience more typhoons, floods, droughts, heat waves and crop production shortages as a result of climate change.
Republic Act 9729, the Philippine Climate Change Act of 2009, creates a powerful body that would formulate and implement plans for the country to better prepare for and respond to natural disasters.
It also aims to attract foreign financing for adaptation and risk reduction projects.
Mrs. Arroyo signed the bill into law at Rizal Hall in Malacañang with members of Congress, diplomats, local officials, business leaders, environment advocates, the academe, and religious leaders in attendance.
“The signing into law of the Climate Change Act of 2009 ushers in a new era in the way the Philippines will tackle climate change in both the short and long terms, for the benefit of Filipinos today and for Filipinos yet unborn,” Mrs. Arroyo said in a statement.
The law creates the Climate Change Commission, a policy making body attached to the Office of the President tasked with coordinating, monitoring and evaluating programs and action plans relating to climate change.
Headed by the President, the four-member commission will be autonomous and shall have the same status as a national government agency.
Members of the commission must be experts in the field and will hold office for six years and may be reappointed, provided that no person shall serve for more than two consecutive terms.
Backed by a panel of technical experts, the commission has six months upon the law’s effectivity to come up with the National Framework Strategy and Program on Climate Change.
The commission’s advisory board will be composed of heads of concerned government departments as well as representatives from the academe, the business sector, non-government organizations, and from the disaster-risk reduction community.
In a statement, British Embassy charge d’affaires Colin Crorkin said storm “Ondoy” and typhoon “Pepeng” gave a glimpse of what’s in store if climate change is neglected.
“The UK congratulates the Philippine government’s step in the right direction with the Climate Change Act, which was signed into law by Pres. Arroyo today,” he said.
Crorkin was citing a new map illustrating the global consequences of failing to keep climate change in check.
“Food shortage, disease and conflict as a result become very real possibilities,” he said.
“We also welcome the Philippines’ strong stand on climate change issues in the international stage.”
The new map was launched today by the UK Government, with 45 days to go before international climate change talks begin in Copenhagen.
British ministers are pressing for the most ambitious deal possible in order to avoid these dangerous impacts.
The map, launched at the Science Museum by UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband, Climate and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, along with the UK’s Chief Scientist John Beddington, was developed using the latest peer-reviewed science from the Met Office Hadley Centre and other leading impact scientists.
The poster highlights some of the impacts that may occur if the global average temperature rises by four degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial climate average.
Ahead of December’s international climate change talks in Copenhagen, the Government is aiming for an agreement that limits climate change as far as possible to 2 degrees Celsius. Increases of more than 2 degrees will have huge impacts on the world.
The poster shows that the average land temperature will be 5.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels. The impacts on human activity shown on the map are only a selection of those that may occur, and highlight the severe effects on water availability, agricultural productivity, extreme temperatures and drought, the risk of forest fires and sea level rise.
Paranaque Rep. Roilo Golez, principal author of RA 9729 in the House of Representatives, said an executive director to be appointed by the President would head the commission’s technical staff.
“It is hoped that a technically competent person with solid climate change and science credentials will be appointed executive director,” he said.
Golez said the first challenge for the commission is participation in the climate change conference in Copenhagen in December.
“Developing countries are worried that reducing carbon emissions would hinder their growth, while developed nations do not want climate change measures to slow down their economies and change the lifestyle of their peoples,” he said.– With Donnabelle Gatdula, Pia Lee-Brago, Jess Diaz
Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=517009&publicationSubCategoryId=63
Monday, October 26, 2009
Loren urges climate change act's full implementation
“A triumph for all Filipinos. A bold measure to ensure that our countrymen need not feel helpless against the devastation and disasters caused by climate change-related natural calamities.”
So said an ecstatic Senator Loren Legarda yesterday following the signing into law in Malacañang of the Climate Change bill which she authored and filed in 2007 to mainstream climate change actions and initiatives into government’s policies and programs.
“It was a long and arduous battle on my part to see through the passage of this law. But since man can never really measure up to the wrath of Mother Nature, I humbly submit that this Climate Change Act is but a small step in the right direction,” said Loren.
“The important thing is for all of us to ensure that all of the provisions of this law are translated into positive and concrete actions so that we, as a people, would have all the necessary infrastructure, capabilities and resources to deal with the devastating effects of climate change,” she added.
The new law will mainstream climate change initiatives and action into Philippine policy formulation, development planning, and poverty reduction programs.
The senator cautioned that many well-meaning laws had gone to waste due to poor or non-implementation of their provisions or the watering down of their intent when translated into action by government.
She cited as example the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, whose passage she shepherded during her first term as senator, but whose provisions on waste segregation and their proper disposal had not been strictly followed.
“Waste disposal, as can be seen from the garbage problems we have on our heavily silted river systems, bays, esteros and floodways, is at the core of the problem and is closely related to what should be done in helping mitigate the effects of climate change,” she said.
“We have crafted the necessary laws, right. But that’s winning just half the battle, because the proper implementation of pieces of laws holds the key.”
The law will also create a Commission on Climate Change, headed by the President and which would serve as the sole policy making body of the government, tasked to coordinate, monitor and evaluate the programs and action plans of the government relating to climate change.
“It was in November of 2007 that I filed this bill and through the help of our climate change experts, concerned government agencies and fellow legislators, we finally succeeded in having this signed after two years,” Loren recalls.
The senator said that the law would speed up the capacity
building for local adaptation planning, implementation and monitoring of climate change initiatives in vulnerable communities.
“Mainstreaming entails the integration of policies and measures that address climate change into development planning and decision-making,” said Loren, who chairs the Senate Standing and Oversight Committee on Climate Change.
“Climate change is a challenge that must be taken up by local and national governments for it is a reality that confronts our communities, families, our daily lives,” she said.
“It is here and now. It is both our debt and duty to the earth and our children’s children to make climate change our problem and solve it, not tomorrow, not in the next decade, but today. And we can do it.”
Source: Politicalarena.com
http://loren-legarda.politicalarena.com/news/loren-urges-climate-change-act-s-full-implementation
So said an ecstatic Senator Loren Legarda yesterday following the signing into law in Malacañang of the Climate Change bill which she authored and filed in 2007 to mainstream climate change actions and initiatives into government’s policies and programs.
“It was a long and arduous battle on my part to see through the passage of this law. But since man can never really measure up to the wrath of Mother Nature, I humbly submit that this Climate Change Act is but a small step in the right direction,” said Loren.
“The important thing is for all of us to ensure that all of the provisions of this law are translated into positive and concrete actions so that we, as a people, would have all the necessary infrastructure, capabilities and resources to deal with the devastating effects of climate change,” she added.
The new law will mainstream climate change initiatives and action into Philippine policy formulation, development planning, and poverty reduction programs.
The senator cautioned that many well-meaning laws had gone to waste due to poor or non-implementation of their provisions or the watering down of their intent when translated into action by government.
She cited as example the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, whose passage she shepherded during her first term as senator, but whose provisions on waste segregation and their proper disposal had not been strictly followed.
“Waste disposal, as can be seen from the garbage problems we have on our heavily silted river systems, bays, esteros and floodways, is at the core of the problem and is closely related to what should be done in helping mitigate the effects of climate change,” she said.
“We have crafted the necessary laws, right. But that’s winning just half the battle, because the proper implementation of pieces of laws holds the key.”
The law will also create a Commission on Climate Change, headed by the President and which would serve as the sole policy making body of the government, tasked to coordinate, monitor and evaluate the programs and action plans of the government relating to climate change.
“It was in November of 2007 that I filed this bill and through the help of our climate change experts, concerned government agencies and fellow legislators, we finally succeeded in having this signed after two years,” Loren recalls.
The senator said that the law would speed up the capacity
building for local adaptation planning, implementation and monitoring of climate change initiatives in vulnerable communities.
“Mainstreaming entails the integration of policies and measures that address climate change into development planning and decision-making,” said Loren, who chairs the Senate Standing and Oversight Committee on Climate Change.
“Climate change is a challenge that must be taken up by local and national governments for it is a reality that confronts our communities, families, our daily lives,” she said.
“It is here and now. It is both our debt and duty to the earth and our children’s children to make climate change our problem and solve it, not tomorrow, not in the next decade, but today. And we can do it.”
Source: Politicalarena.com
http://loren-legarda.politicalarena.com/news/loren-urges-climate-change-act-s-full-implementation
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