City needs climate change action plan

ILOILO CITY - A comprehensive climate change action plan is mulled in this city as mandated by provisions of Republic Act 9729.

However, Dennis de la Torre, chief of the research and policy division of the Climate Change Commission (CCC) said the city can only do so based on the local government unit’s (LGUs) comprehensive land use plan (Clup) and climate change programs.

The city is set to release its Clup by August 25, 2012 after a review committee composed of several national and local government offices recently finalized the Clup, which will be affirmed by the City Council to become the basis of all development projects implemented in the city.

De la Torre said the action plan will be based on the vulnerability and impact assessment on the city with a prediction of 20 years by integrating the ecosystem including the ocean and land movements and the socioeconomic impact on the area.

The CCC official spoke of the Liga para sa Klima forum funded by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) on Friday, August 10. The forum is one of the activities during the month-long celebration of the 75th Jubilee Year of Iloilo as a charter city.

On the other hand, Vice President Jejomar Binay issued a directive recently to all LGUs to update its Clup as a pre-requisite to avail of the people’s survival fund. The P1 million climate change adaptation fund awaits the signature of President Benigno Aquino III.

De la Torre disclosed the CCC was created by Congress through a law spearheaded by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Congressman Erin Tañada. CCC has three commissioners and is holding office at the Malacañang compound with the President as CCC chairman. (Lydia C. Pendon)