DENR intensifies climate change advocacy

by AM Contreras

Legazpi City (1 February) — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), has reaffirmed it commitment and relentlessly pursued climate change adaptation and mitigation information and education drives

DENR Regional Executive Director Joselin Marcus Fragada stated the agency has since last year provided technical assistance to local government units (LGUs) on climate change adaptation and mitigation planning activities and intensified enforcement of air pollution laws to contain emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.

Fragada pointed out that Republic Act No. 9728 or the Climate Change Act of 2009 signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on October 23, 2009 explicitly mandates local government units to be “the frontline services in the formulation, planning and implementation of climate change action plans in their respective areas.”

He noted that DENR has long been a partner of LGUs in crafting measures to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change

“These include the implementation of smoke belching regulation to contain the excessive emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from transport vehicles, provision of technical support for Ecological Solid Waste Management (ESWM), particularly in setting up and operation of material recovery facilities and sanitary land fills,” he said.

DENR has recently been assisting LGUs in planning formulation of mitigation and adaptation projects to address global warming and climate change.

Fragada also said that the DENR Regional Public Affairs Office (RPAO) has been complementing the climate change advocacy of the EMB thru press and broadcast releases to local newspapers, radio and television, and production of information materials on climate change which are distributed to school libraries, barangay information centers (GMACs) and other institutions and individuals.

DENR-RPAO staff also provided library services and assistance to researchers on climate change.

Fragada recently created the Climate Change Regional Desk which will provide focus assistance to students, teachers, local government officials and other persons seeking information on climate change. (DENR/PIA)