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Also, the matters contained in the following were written in accordance with the law, rules, and jurisprudence prevailing at the time of writing and posting, and do not include any future developments on the subject matter under discussion.
AT A GLANCE:
Pursuant to Proclamation No. 1667, series of 2008, November 19 to 25 of every year is declared as the “Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness Week”.
Proclamation No. 1667, series of 2008 aims to raise awareness on global warming and climate change by pursuing broad and intensive public information and educational campaigns to secure the collective cooperation of private and public sectors at all levels in finding solutions to this concern.
The law says:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare November 19 to 25, 2008 as the “Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness Week”. (Proclamation No. 1667, series of 2008)
The Proclamation calls on all agencies, government offices and instrumentalities to collaborate in coordination with the private sector, and in liaison with the United Nations family to conduct and participate in relevant activities.
Republic Act No. 9729 or the Climate Change Act of 2009 defines “global warming” as the increase in the average temperature of the earth’s near-surface air and oceans that is associated with the increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. (Section 3, par. d, R.A. No. 9789)
On the other hand, climate change is defined under the law as the change in climate that can be identified by changes in the mean or variability of its properties and that persists for an extended period typically decades or longer, whether due to natural variability or as a result of human activity. (Section 3, par. d, R.A. No. 9789)
The Climate Change Commission
Republic Act No. 9729 or the Climate Change Act of 2009 declares it as a policy of the State to afford full protection and the advancement of the right of the people to a healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. The State likewise adopts the principle of protecting the climate system for the benefit of humankind, on the basis of climate justice or common but differentiated responsibilities and the Precautionary Principle to guide decision-making in climate risk management. (Section 2, R.A. No. 9789)
Towards this end, the Climate Change Commission was hereby created by the law. This commission, attached to the Office of the President, shall be an independent and autonomous body and shall have the same status as that of a national government agency. It is the sole policy-making body of the government which shall be tasked to coordinate, monitor and evaluate the programs and action plans of the government relating to climate change pursuant to the provisions of the Climate Change Act of 2009. (Section 4, R.A. No. 9789)
Among the powers and functions of the Climate Change Commission are:
(a) Ensure the mainstreaming of climate change, in synergy with disaster risk reduction, into the national, sectoral and local development plans and programs;
(b) Coordinate and synchronize climate change programs of national government agencies;
(c) Formulate a Framework Strategy on Climate Change to serve as the basis for a program for climate change planning, research and development, extension, and monitoring of activities on climate change;
(d) Exercise policy coordination to ensure the attainment of goals set in the framework strategy and program on climate change;
(e) Recommend legislation, policies, strategies, programs on and appropriations for climate change adaptation and mitigation and other related activities;
(f) Recommend key development investments in climate- sensitive sectors such as water resources, agriculture, forestry, coastal and marine resources, health, and infrastructure to ensure the achievement of national sustainable development goals;
(g) Create an enabling environment for the design of relevant and appropriate risk-sharing and risk-transfer instruments;
(h) Create an enabling environment that shall promote broader multi-stakeholder participation and integrate climate change mitigation and adaptation;
(i) Formulate strategies on mitigating GHG and other anthropogenic causes of climate change;
(j) Coordinate and establish a close partnership with the National Disaster Coordinating Council in order to increase efficiency and effectiveness in reducing the people’s vulnerability to climate-related disasters;
(k) In coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs, represent the Philippines in the climate change negotiations;
(l) Formulate and update guidelines for determining vulnerability to climate change impacts and adaptation assessments and facilitate the provision of technical assistance for their implementation and monitoring;
(m) Coordinate with local government units (LGUs) and private entities to address vulnerability to climate change impacts of regions, provinces, cities and municipalities;
(n) Facilitate capacity building for local adaptation planning, implementation and monitoring of climate change initiatives in vulnerable communities and areas;
(o) Promote and provide technical and financial support to local research and development programs and projects in vulnerable communities and areas; and
(p) Oversee the dissemination of information on climate change, local vulnerabilities and risks, relevant laws and protocols and adaptation and mitigation measures. (Section 9, R.A. No. 9789)
Role of government agencies
To ensure the effective implementation of the Climate Change Act of 2009, the following government agencies are mandated under the law to perform the following functions, more particularly:
(a) The Department of Education (DepED) shall integrate climate change into the primary and secondary education curricula and/or subjects, such as, but not limited to, science, biology, sibika, history, including textbooks, primers and other educational materials, basic climate change principles and concepts;
(b) The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Local Government Academy shall facilitate the development and provision of a training program for LGUs in climate change. The training program shall include socioeconomic, geophysical, policy, and other content necessary to address the prevailing and forecasted conditions and risks of particular LGUs. It shall likewise focus on women and children, especially in the rural areas, since they are the most vulnerable;
(c) The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) shall oversee the establishment and maintenance of a climate change information management system and network, including on climate change risks, activities and investments, in collaboration with other concerned national government agencies, institutions and LGUs;
(d) The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) shall review international agreements related to climate change and make the necessary recommendation for ratification and compliance by the government on matters pertaining thereto;
(e) The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) shall disseminate information on climate change, local vulnerabilities and risk, relevant laws and protocols and adaptation and mitigation measures; and
(f) Government financial institutions, shall, any provision in their respective charters to the contrary notwithstanding, provide preferential financial packages for climate change- related projects. In consultation with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), they shall, within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act, issue and promulgate the implementing guidelines therefor. (Section 15, R.A. No. 9789)
Read also: World Clean and Green Week (Proclamation No. 244, Series of 1993)
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