CCC, USAID Feature City LGUs’ Initiatives on Climate Adaptation and Mitigation

Local governments of partner cities under the Cities Development Initiative (CDI) showcased exemplary climate change adaptation and mitigation (CCAM) practices at the Cities’ Initiatives for CCAM webinar, held during the 13^th Annual Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness Week.

The webinar, which was co-organized by the CCC and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity (SURGE) Project, focused on recognizing the replicable CCAM initiatives of cities to encourage more local government units to pursue efforts geared towards building and increasing climate resilience within communities. The event was streamed live via the Facebook page of the Climate Change Commission (CCC).

“The participation of local governments and their involvement and leadership are very important in adaptation and mitigation. This has been emphasized because while national policy covers the general framework of our country, including those that are passed by Congress or issued by the Executive Branch of the government, it is important that our local communities, including the CSOs and private organizations, are involved in this endeavor,” said Congressman Edgardo Chatto, Representative of 1st District of Bohol and Chair of the House Committee on Climate Change in his message.

“The local governments are the frontliners in climate action. We call on our local leaders to recognize the prevailing climate emergency and address the risks in their communities. We enjoin you to revisit and enhance your strategies and plans for reducing disaster risk and adapting to climate change informed by the latest science and risk assessment,” said CCC Secretary Emmanuel M. de Guzman in his message.

Four partner cities, which include General Santos City, Legazpi City, Tagbilaran City, and Zamboanga City, presented their ongoing efforts and plans for climate change adaptation and mitigation, such as low-emission development strategies and mainstreaming disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in development planning. These LGUs also delivered a statement of their commitment to continue their efforts on climate change adaptation and mitigation, as part of their strategies to adapt to a sustainable future.

General Santos City’s adaptation and mitigation plans include the passing of a City Land Use Plan (CLUP), which includes climate and disaster risk and hazard mapping of areas, identifying the major greenhouse gas producers in the city for inventory to make way for future interventions; and replacement of old mercury lights with the more environment-friendly LED lights.

“In line with the celebration of the Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness Week, let it be known that the local government unit of General Santos City would like to profess our commitment towards ‘Adapting for a Sustainable Future’ by ensuring that not only do we engage in more and impactful climate change adaptation and mitigation projects and initiatives, but to also commit to engaging our youth, the private sector, and more partners in our efforts versus global warming,” said General Santos City Mayor Ronnel C. Rivera.

Legazpi City shared that they continuously work to implement CCAM actions, such as entity- and community-level greenhouse gas inventory to formulate policies and programs on emission reduction and sequestration; greenhouse gas management planning; Local Climate Change Action Plan (LCCAP) for 2019-2028, which helps them develop local policies, projects, programs, and activities geared towards addressing climate change; Alay Lakad Tanim Kahoy Para Sa Puso, dubbed as the Legazpi City Arbor Day, which is an annual activity every February 14 to promote health through walking and love for the environment by planting trees; random emission testing of public utility and private vehicles; and waste reduction initiatives through the establishment of disposal facilities, sustainable composting facilities, clean energy for agriculture support facilities, and septage treatment facilities.

“Local governments have a critical role to play in climate change adaptation and mitigation. This is a challenging feat, but we can neither afford to have second thoughts nor have a pit stop. The right time to start is now, and let us continue our little steps. The small ripples of change that we do in our areas of responsibility should create bigger waves of transformation. Together, we can achieve what we are all dreaming for,” said Legazpi City Mayor Noel E. Rosal.

Tagbilaran City is a coastal city prone to hydrometeorological hazards, such as flooding, storm surge, typhoons, and rain-induced landslides. Some of the CCAM initiatives they shared are the formulation of their LCCAP, conduct of greenhouse gas inventory and management plan, installation of solar panels, mangrove planting, regular coastal cleanup, use of permeable materials in open spaces, rainwater harvesting, and ban on single-use plastics and polystyrene.

“As the mayor of Tagbilaran City, I respond to the global call to action to combat climate change and commit to showing leadership in the city by advocating for climate action consistent with science. I will work to increase awareness of the threat that climate change poses to the health and well-being of communities, especially to children,” said Tagbilaran City Mayor John Geesnell L. Yap II.

Zamboanga City reduces its environmental impact and mitigate climate change through the following initiatives: GHG emission reduction strategies; energy conservation program; rehabilitation of streetlights project with non-hazardous and eco-friendly LED bulbs; waste-to-value as alternative technologies for residual waste; establishment of the transfer station and material recovery facilities; waterfront and heritage walk development; climate-resilient school buildings; and watershed/mangrove rehabilitation and reforestation projects.

“The Environment Code of the City of Zamboanga highlights the determination of the city LGU to pursue sustainable development and to protect the right of the people to a balanced ecology; and ensure the sustainable use of natural resources, by advancing development while preserving the quality of the environment free from any disturbance, such as but not limited to the adverse impacts of climate change,” said Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle G. Climaco.

The USAID’s SURGE Project works with CDI cities to strengthen their climate change mitigation through GHG reduction. Since 2019, the project has been supporting the cities of Tagbilaran and Zamboanga in formulating their GHG Management Plan, and the cities of General Santos and Legazpi in developing their GHG Inventory Reports. These cities were also assisted in accounting the GHG reduction potentials for their projects and programs.

Watch the replay of this event via:

https://www.facebook.com/CCCPhl/videos/369882760955399