Bill Creates Climate Change Authority

A bill establishing the Philippine Academy for Climate Change Adaptations and Disaster Risk Reduction has been filed in the House of Representatives.

Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez (2nd District, Cagayan de Oro City) said the objective of climate change body he proposed in House Bill 3987 is to provide students an opportunity to learn from experienced trainers and local communities about both the theory and practice of disasters risk reduction and climate change adaptation.

“It will enrich the research activities of the students and increase their practical knowledge of the possibilities and the implementation of the theory at the community level,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said disaster risk reduction is the concept and practice of reducing disaster risks through the systematic efforts to analyze and reduce the causal factors of disasters.

“This includes reducing exposure to hazard, lessening vulnerability of people and property, wise management of land and the environment and improving preparedness for adverse events,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said there is a need for the government to implement a comprehensive rehabilitation and recovery program that would repair damaged infrastructure in the areas hit by tragedies.

“Since 2009, numerous storms, typhoons and other natural disasters have hit the Philippines. The most recent of which was typhoon Yolanda which struck parts of Visayas and claimed thousands of lives and caused total damages amounting to P30 billion,” Rodriguez said.

Rep Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr. (Party-list, Abante Mindanao), co-author of the measure, said the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change adaptation refers to adjustments in ecological, social, or economic systems in response to actual climate stimuli and their effects or impacts.

“It also refers to changes in processes, practices and structures to moderate potential damages or to benefit from opportunities associated with climate change,” Rodriguez said.

Under the bill, the climate change body will serve as a training school for the participants to learn about the theory and practice of climate change adaptation and disaster resilient development.

Source: Media Relations Service, Public Relations and Information Bureau