City lauded on adaptive capacity to climate change

COMING from its vulnerable level, Iloilo City has notched recently a high adaptive capacity on climate change for the last two years.

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) acknowledges that urbanization strongly affects emerging cities and Iloilo City was the second most vulnerable to climate change following Baguio City in the 2011 assessment study.

However, Iloilo City from middle of 2010 until the present was able to steer the city towards environmental programs and best practices that won recognition in the national and international forum.

Lawyer Angela Consuelo Ibay of WWF said the 2011 environment study entitled “Business Risk Assessment and Climate Change Adaptation” was conducted in four highly urbanized cities in the country namely Cebu, Davao, Baguio including Iloilo.

Ibay said that was a wake-up call for the local government units (LGUs) to improve its environmental condition, specifically on the climate scenario, socio-economic condition, adaptive capacity and development drivers spearheaded by LGU leaders.

The study showed the vulnerability of Iloilo City as a drought-prone area and floods during heavy rains. The factors affecting these conditions are food security, population, infrastructures, peace and order and socio economic.

On the other hand, Iloilo City is the drainage area of rain and river waters from central Panay plains. A drainage master plan will soon be finalized and the comprehensive drainage system will soon be implemented in 2013 funded by the city’s internal revenue allotment share.

Similarly, the city’s agricultural area has shrunk smaller in recent years as population influx and migration continue in the city.

Agricultural lands then are now housing subdivisions and commercial centers.

Ibay said the international environmental non-government organization network is ready and willing to help the city develop its own environmental development plans. (Lydia C. Pendon)