BAGUIO CITY – The city’s Climate Change Task Force has been reorganized with Asst. City Environment and Parks Management Officer Rhenan Diwas now at the helm.
In Executive Order No. 158-19, Mayor Benjamin Magalong put the task force in charge of spearheading the formulation, implementation and mainstreaming of a City Climate Change Action Plan that is synchronized with the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Plan.
It will also explore options and prioritize appropriate adaptation measures for joint projects with national and local governments, barangays and the private sector and will coordinate with various stakeholders such as the barangays, non-governmental organizations, academe, civic organizations, people’s organizations, business and other sectors in the formulation and implementation of a City Climate Change Action Plan.
The team is also expected to recommend legislation, policies, programs and appropriations for climate change adaptation and mitigation and oversee the formulation and dissemination of appropriate information, knowledge products, technology and other support activities on climate change in the city.
Supporting Diwas in the task force are City Administrator Bonifacio Dela Peña. City Council Committee on Environmental Protection Chair Coun. Josel Alangsab, City Engr. Egard Victorio Olpindo, City Budget Officer Leticia Clemente, City Buildings and Architecture Asst. Head Johnny Degay, City Health Officer Rowena Galpo, City Social Welfare and Development Officer Betty Fangasan, General Services Officer Eugene Buyucan, City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer Yolanda Munar, Division of City Schools Supt. Tolentino Aquino, Association of Barangay Councils President Michael Lee Lawana, Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Levy Lloyd Orcales and representatives from the private sector and the academe.
In 2011, then mayor Mauricio Domogan formed the climate change adaptation task force in line with Republic Act 7297 or the Climate Change Act of 2009 to mitigate the effects of climate change in the country.
The former mayor said the city entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability Southeast Asia, Inc. for the implementation of the “Asian Cities Adapt” project which aims to increase awareness, knowledge and capacity of local governments in India and the Philippines through an integrated and cyclic management approach increasing their local economic and social resilience.
The project also aims to provide information on better management of the impacts of climate change; to strengthen awareness and the knowledge about potential risks at the local level; and to promote the exchange of knowledge between cities. ** Aileen P. Refuerzo
