Benefits of the Paris Agreement

Since he assumed office, President Rodrigo Duterte has shown his determination to improve the plight of his countrymen, not just for those who have less in life – but for everyone – you and me included.  His actions and orders have instilled fear among drug users and dealers, delight among citizens wary of the harm inflicted by drug users, and consternation among the oppositors to the restoration of the death penalty. His first State of the Nation address yesterday gave us hope for a really transformed society and economy, for the development of the countryside, for the equitable sharing of the country’s resources among the rich and poor, the full implementation of the Reproductive Health law.

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The President’s repudiation of the Paris Agreement is on account of the Philippines’ need for coal as the country’s current major source of energy. To paraphrase him, we are still on the slow train to industrialization, and concern for climate change which would totally eliminate use of coal will further slow down the country’s economic progress.

Let me quote the contrary view expressed by former Sen. Heherson T. Alvarez, former Department of Environment and Natural Resources secretary and currently vice-chair of the Climate Change Commission.

According to Alvarez, the Paris Agreement “will be a powerful pillar towards the Duterte goal – a strongly industrialized but healthy nation. Ultimately, its impact would allow Filipinos to study, live, work and enjoy cleaner cities with a healthier environment.”

“The challenge is to pursue massive industrialization while simultaneously protecting our people – the Philippines being identified as the most vulnerable country in the world – from the disastrous impacts of climate change most especially the threatened sectors that have significant contribution to the growth of our economy – agriculture, industry, the environment and our people,” Alvarez said.

“The Paris Agreement works on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR). The premise is that all nations, whether developed or developing, large or small, emit varying amounts of greenhouse gases. Different countries would therefore take on different kinds of actions to reduce emissions based on their capabilities and their current economic circumstances. 

“Anchored on the CBDR principle, honoring the Paris Agreement is both a moral and legal obligation of all 197 member nations of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) of which the Philippines is a member. This principle compels us to share in the upkeep of the United Nations, the same principle why every Filipino who earns an income pays taxes, in varying percentages based on their rate of income, to support the government. Our country will be most comfortable with this principle because it largely reflects the “bayanihan” spirit in the Filipino culture.”

“Coal seems to be the cheapest energy source in the market. However, once the externalities of coal are factored in – such as the costs of pollution and healthcare – the price of coal would be extremely high and uneconomic. In fact, all over the world, there is a cry now to price carbon appropriately, apply corresponding taxes, and remove subsidy that makes carbon artificially cheap. We should be transparent and candid about the terrible burdens that coal imposes on our environment and the health of our people, especially the poor who are the most vulnerable. It will be the morally right thing to do.

“The Philippines’ commitment of a 70 percent emission reduction is conditioned on financing resources, technology development and transfer, and capacity building. The 70 percent commitment will be a slow transition up to the year 2030. All INDC of the 197 nations signatory to the Agreement will be subjected for review every five years and will be continuously updated, depending on economic growth and development.”

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Senator Cynthia Villar will induct the past presidents of Inner wheel Club of Manila who will serve the club in the year 2016 – 2017, on July 28, at Pasay A and B, Shangri-La Makati at 5 p.m.

The officers are led by president Beth Sison Tagle who served as president of IWCM in 1999-2000 and District 381 chairman, 2005-2006.

Other officers to be inducted are Marissa Fenton, Fortune Ledesma, Piluchi Atayde, Drina Ampil, Fanny Blanco and Tess Amparo.

The board directors are Monette Guevara, Tina Carlos, Tess Tumangan, Marilen Espiritu, Myrna Hallare, Dolly Gupit, Daisy Payumo, Lita Gono, Gigi Calero and Tonette Humphries.

IWCM, organized 67 years ago, is involved in such projects as the Center for Mental Health’s Female Pavilion, a day care center and feeding, livelihood and scholarship programs.

Elizabeth Sison-Tagle is the owner and curator of the Gallery of Fine Arts. She was public relations consultant of the Philippine Tourism Authority ( 1980-88.) She founded a weekly media forum, “Newsmakers,” composed of tri-media editors and columnists, with Tony Lopez, editor of AsiaWeek, the late Nelly Sindayen of Time Magazine and Rod Cornejo of GMA 7.

From 1978 to 1988, she was a director of Aliw Awards Foundation Inc., which gives due recognition to the country’s top live entertainers. She served as the Foundation’s revival president in 1999-2000, during which period she initiated ALIW’s welfare fund for retired and disabled live entertainers. From 2005 to 2006, she was District 381 chair of the Inner Wheel Club of the Philippines, during which time she required 22 clubs under her to put up day care centers. Sen. Cynthia Villar organized eight such day care centers in Las Pinas.

Elizabeth was elected president of Rotary Club of Manila 101.

Aside from her leading civic organizations, she has produced shows featuring local and foreign artists since 2003. 

The concerts she produced featured the Three Tenors (the late Defense secretary Angelo Reyes, former DILG secretary Joey Lina and former DPWH secretary and MMDA chair Bayani Fernando), a salute to Mga Kawal (Soldiers), St. Joseph (headed by Bishop Soc Villegas), Lettermen Live. Petula Clark , a salute to Father Fernando Suarez, David Osborne, Engelbert Humperdink, Julio Iglesias, Dionne Warwick and Jack Jones.

She is an active member of the Missionaries of Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation of healing priest Fr. Fernando Suarez, and has been the producer of the 3rd Sunday healing mass of ABS CBN for two years.

The best of her blessings she considers is the Lord’s giving her her first grandchild, Elizabeth Sofiel, “the love of my life.”

The Philippine Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (PRID) is celebrating its 37th anniversary on Saturday, July 30. This means 37 years of continued quest for excellence in providing communication accessibility through appropriate and faithful sign language interpreting services to the deaf community.

The anniversary celebration will be a “homecoming” for graduates, friends, trainors and supporters. This will be a time for sharing experiences and success stories for graduates in fields they entered after taking interpreting courses at PRID.  

The celebration, which starts at 9:30 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m., will be held at the PRID office and adjacent court at the Philippine School for the Deaf on Harrison street, Pasay City.

All graduates are encouraged to each bring a friend who is a no-signer to experience the happy world of “Talking Hands.”         

Interested parties may call PRID office at 8316431 (call for Lisa), 0915-5327392/0925-8193244 or email [email protected].

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Email: [email protected]