Government agencies working hand in hand versus climate change

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) is working hand in hand with the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) to address the impacts of climate change.

Speaking at an international event held in Cebu City Wednesday, PDRRMO chief Baltazar Tribunalo, Jr. said the provincial government is not only focusing on the mitigating measures, such as the environmental initiatives, but also banking on capacitating local government units–from cities and towns down to the barangay level—to help alleviate the adverse effects of climate change like extreme weather events.

“In efforts to adapt to climate change and reduce disaster risks, the Cebu provincial government through PENRO and PDRRMO continuously working to safeguard the province’s valuable natural resources and build the capacities of the LGUs,” he said during the opening of the three-day international workshop that tackles the Green Climate Fund Readiness Programme.

Tribunalo said the PDRRMO is also working hard in integrating the disaster risk reduction and management plans that are anchored on the national development plans and policies.

He said the vulnerability assessment reports of each locality are developed at the provincial level to identify hazard prone areas in the entire Cebu island.

He said the office is also intensifying its information drive so as to raise awareness on managing natural disasters.

“Yet, with all these endeavors, we recognize that much more still remains to be done… We strive to develop a culture of safety and resilience among communities,” he said.

He, however, said mitigating climate change is a “shared” responsibility.

Tribunalo also urged local officials to take part in global efforts by making proactive and strategic actions that will enhance the adaptive capacities of each community in the province, which is vulnerable to natural and man-made disasters. — KBQ (FREEMAN)