THE partnership between the City Government and the Asian Cities Adapt (ACA) and the University of the Philippines-Baguio has released reports on the expected impacts of climate change here.
The report which is part of the project of ACA to carry out a cyclical adaptation management process based on sound adaptation research integrating adaptation needs will help the local government plan and build resilience towards the effects of climate change.
Mayor Mauricio Domogan said, "The threat from climate change is serious and that the danger is imminent."
"We have to do our part to abate a doomsday scenario, it is one of the serious threats facing humanity today and we have to act now," he said.
The report which was turned over to the city officials last November 28 includes the climate change scenario of Baguio, the city’s vulnerability assessment including impacts these could have on the city and its inhabitants and adaptation measures that can be introduced to counter this effects.
The stakeholders are one in saying that the typhoon which hit the Visayas particularly Tacloban this year is an example of the type of storm that could become common in the country in the future.
According to the report, the hazards for Baguio are intense rainfall induced landslides which could pose danger to lives and property.
The second is a slight vulnerability to floods with 20 percent of the city considered flood prone and are located close to urban areas.
The third is a slight vulnerability to extreme heat due to rising temperatures or the ‘Urban Heat Island Effect’ but the city would not be directly affected because of its elevation.
Other challenges the city has to face are earthquakes, sinkholes, rapid population growth and deforestation.
"Currently, we are working to mitigate the effects of climate change in our city by regreening, cleaning our rivers, adopting the solid waste management system and the enforcement of the Clean Air Act," Domogan said.
"We have to implement this despite criticisms from some sectors because we know that it is urgent," he said.
The project turn-over is the first in a series of a partnership between ACA and the city government which reinforces the urgency of the city to work and reduce the vulnerability of its citizens to climate impacts.
The project was done in four major cities particularly Baguio City, Dagupan City, Tuguegarao City and San Fernando City. (Paul Rillorta)