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Atienza cites LGUs, bayanihan trait as keys against climate change

10/23/2009

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Lito Atienza yesterday stressed the vital role of local government units (LGUs) in ensuring a safe, clean and healthy environment at all times, as they are constitutionally mandated to do so, to intensify the country’s efforts joining the global combat against climate change.

“Bigyan natin ng puwang upang magampanan nila ang kanilang tungkulin sa kalikasan at kapaligiran. Kailangan nating katulungin ang mga LGUs upang mas epektibong maharap at malabanam ang mga banta ng climate change na ating nang nararanasan sa kasalukuyan,” Atienza pointed out.

During the National Workshop on Clean Air for Smaller Cities by the Asean-German Technical Cooperation-GTZ held at the A Avenue Hotel Suites in Makati City and participated in by the DENR, Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities and the League of Cities of the Philippines, Atienza cited the recent super typhoons (“Ondoy” and “Pepeng”) that devastated the country as more than a wake up call but an “alarm” for all Filipinos of the effects and the imminent disasters of global warming and climate change would bring if we do not effectively address the worldwide problem.

However, Atienza also noted the unique golden bayanihan trait among Filipinos as an important ingredient to instill hope of success in the midst of the present environmental crisis.

This year, the country experienced a very strange phenomenon, like Australia, twice when sea mammals (dolphins and whales) beached themselves on the shores of Bataan and Romblon which could only be attributed to climate change.

According to Atienza, unlike in Australia where the sea mammals perished, Filipino communities, including fisherfolk local officials, barangays in Bataan and Romblon managed to work hand in hand to save the dolphins and whales, thus embodying the true living bayanihan spirit among Filipinos.

“The Philippines has been blessed with very rich natural resources. If improved and properly managed, not only will they protect us from climate change but they will also definitely bring genuine progress for the Philippines and Filipinos,” Atienza stressed.

Atienza said even the country’s most important resource and treasure — its people — must also be protected as it is threatened today by the passage of the Reproductive Health Bill which will surely destroy families and the sanctity of life, thus eventually endorse abortion by espousing birth control.

“Good and effective governance is what is needed,” said Atienza, branding the measure (Reproductive Health Bill) being insisted by some foreign-funded proponents as a mere “alibi for failure.”

Among the seven cities which applied of the Asean-GTZ program, only two cities, Iloilo and Cagayan de Oro, were selected.

“Let us make Iloilo and Cagayan de Oro the key cities to be models for cleaner air,” Atienza said as he called on Filipinos to value the environment and life.