THE municipality of San Francisco in Camotes Island is one of four local government units (LGUs) nationwide to receive a financial grant to help make some of their community more resilient to the impacts of climate change.
The Climate Change Commission (CCC) and the Department of Finance had approved the releasing of P192 million worth of grants through the People’s Survival Fund (PSF).
The PSF was created by Republic Act 10174 as an annual fund intended for LGUs and accredited local community organizations to implement climate change adaptation projects that will better equip vulnerable communities deal with the impacts of climate change.
In a statement, CCC Secretary Emmanuel de Guzman said that aside from San Francisco in Cebu, the other recipients are Del Carmen in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte; Lanuza in Surigao del Sur; and Gerona in Tarlac.
Nine more project proposals totaling P979 million will be under scrutiny in the next PSF Board meeting in June, Guzman said.
According to San Francisco Mayor Aly Arquillano, the Municipality received more than P36 million from the PSF.
In a text message to SunStar Cebu, Arquillano said he plans to use the money to implement water adaptation programs to reduce dependence on groundwater. These will include putting up water catchment devices and other mechanisms that will allow them to save water.
Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office Head Baltazar Tribunalo Jr. said they helped the Municipality draft its proposal to the CCC.
Tribunalo said they conducted not only feasibility studies but also climate risk assessments to determine how climate change has impacted the island town.
San Francisco, he said, is the first LGUs in Cebu to recognize the dangerous effects of climate change. (JKV)