COUNCILOR Carl Lopez said the city is the first city in the country to declare a climate emergency.

Lopez, chair of the committee on environment and ecology, has authored a resolution endorsing such declaration which was unanimously approved by the city council during its regular session on Wednesday, July 17.

He said the resolution is the first regional collaboration on an immediate and just transition and emergency mobilization effort to restore a safe climate.

“We will now take concrete steps spearheaded by the city government to be a model city in addressing climate change mitigation, with the help of the Commission on Climate Change, the policy-making body of the national government,” Lopez said.

The councilor said the city will now prepare an action plan for immediate implementation with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

“We will review the implementation of the past ordinances I authored such as the Ground Water Protection, Clean River and Waterways, and Septage Management to see if there is a need for amendments or it can be implemented immediately,” Lopez added.

The councilor said he will also hold a summit within the year calling on all local government units in Negros Occidental for a concerted effort to address the declaration effectively.

Since Bacolod is the province’s capital city, it must take the cudgels and lead the way in collaboration with the provincial government, he added. (PR)