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| Gov. Victor A. Tanco speaks before the participants and guest of DENR-PIA Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Advocacy Campaign at Urban Manor Hotel, Brgy. Lawaan, Roxas City, June 25. (Photo credits to PIA Capiz) |
Community and local government efforts must also focus on disaster preparedness since calamities come anytime, said Tanco, guest speaker during the launching of the Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Advocacy Campaign in Capiz.
When nature is the enemy, people are rendered helpless, and the only thing they could do is pray, he said, citing the onslaught of super typhoon “Yolanda” in November last year.
“Because of ‘Yolanda,’ I have shifted my priority agenda to disaster risk reduction, as well as on disaster preparedness,” he said.
Disasters are becoming stronger due to climate change, according to the governor.
Long drought, earthquakes, landslides, flooding and other disasters are just among the results of climate change, he said.
Everyone should prepare for all of this, Tanco said. “When we talk about climate change, we talk about the survival of the human race.”
Leading the launching of the Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Advocacy Campaign are the Philippine Information Agency and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
For his part, DENR–Capiz head Valentin Talabero called on everyone to help protect and preserve the environment.
“Protecting the environment is everybody’s duty and responsibility,” Talabero stressed.
He also said a partnership between the public and private sectors is needed for a wider dissemination of information on climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Head of agencies and representatives from various sectors, including the media, have affirmed their commitment and support to the climate change advocacy by signing a Pledge of Commitment during the launching. (Jemin Guillermo, PIA-Capiz/PN)
