Guv off to Canada for climate talks

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Governor Nestor Fongwan is on official business for two weeks in Manitoba, Canada to talk about matters of disaster preparedness for climate change.

Fongwan said the partnership with Canada started last year with the Institute of Public Administration of Canada (Ipac).

“We are continuing the partnership we have with them,” he said.

Vice Governor Crescencio Pacalso, in the absence of Fongwan, will be the acting governor until the end of the month.

Fongwan said Manitoba is also like the province of Benguet. It is heavily dependent on agriculture and other major industries like transportation, manufacturing, mining, forestry, energy, and tourism.

Fongwan said ways to adapt and combat climate change in disaster situations will be discussed during his stay.

In the Philippines, only the provinces of Benguet and Samar were recipients of the Canadian International Development Agency’s (Cida) Democratic Governance Program Mission.

Last year, the Canadian team went to the province and presented topics like: The Manitoba Experiences in DRRM and The British Columbia Experience in Climate Change Adaptation.

Fongwan said the Benguet experience will also be presented in Canada during his trip.