“Climate Change Consciousness Week:
Adapting for A Sustainable Future"
[Privilege Speech delivered on 20 November 2019 at the 1st Regular Session, Eighteenth (18th) Congress, House of Representatives, Batasan Hills, Quezon City]
Philippines and Climate Change
In a 2018 survey, the Philippines ranked third – just behind India and Pakistan – among countries most vulnerable to climate change. This year, in the Global Peace Index (GPI) report released by Australia-based Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), the Philippines is now first among the list of countries facing the highest risk of climate change hazards.
The study finds that 47 percent of the country's population is in areas highly exposed to multiple climate hazards such as earthquakes, tsunami, floods, tropical cyclones and drought.
Honorable Speaker, my dear colleagues in this August chamber, I stand before you today on a matter of personal and collective privilege: as a member of this esteemed body nine years ago, from the year 2001-2009, as principal author of The Tourism Act of 2009 and as present chair of the House Committee on Climate Change.
November is Climate Change Consciousness Month. This year, we celebrate the 12th Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness Week from November 18-25 with the theme, "Adapting for A Sustainable Future."
Twin Frameworks on Tourism and Climate Change
Consequently, both Republic Act No. 9593 or “The Tourism Act of 2009” and Republic Act No. 9729 or the “Climate Change Act of 2009” were passed on the same year and both are celebrating their decade anniversary this year.
This is significant because tourism is a major economic factor in the country contributing Php 2.2 trillion or 12.7% of the total GDP and generating 5.4 million employment for the year 2018 alone. Sustaining tourism, which is highly dependent on our natural resources, amidst the threat of climate change, is a challenge we all face now.
During my second and third terms in the 13th and the 14th Congresses, I chaired the House Committee on Tourism. Our main goal: the passage of a law that will lay the national tourism framework in the country. Working to pass the law back then was no easy task. It took us five years to convince all stakeholders of the importance of a national framework on tourism.
RA 9593 or The Tourism Act, hence, paved the way, among many others, for the formulation of the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP); major re-organization of the DOT, including its attached agencies; due recognition to the private sector; and the creation of the convergence program of relevant agencies of government on tourism infrastructure. As a result, we now have 12 international gateways, ports are further being developed, tourism destinations are continuously being improved and many of our tourism highways have either been constructed or rehabilitated.
Republic Act No. 9729 or the “Climate Change Act of 2009”, on the other hand, created the Climate Change Commission (CCC) as the principal climate policymaking body of the government. Accordingly, the National Framework Strategy on Climate Change (NFSCC) for 2010 to 2022 was formulated and translated to the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) 2011-2028 which sets the directional plan for the government in implementing short, medium and long term actions in seven thematic areas: food security, water sufficiency, ecological and environmental stability, human security, climate smart industries and services, sustainable energy, and knowledge and capacity development.
Upon coming back as legislator for the 18th Congress, and having finished my three terms as governor of the province of Bohol, I accept the chairmanship of the Committee on Climate Change. It is an advocacy close to heart and is intimately related to almost everything I commit myself to as a public servant – environment, agriculture, food security, health, tourism. The challenge is big – herculean to say the least. But I know, Honorable Speaker, my dear colleagues that I have this august chamber as partners in this fight against the adverse effects of climate change.
Addressing Global Climate Change
According to DOST-PAGASA, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has set out two central approaches in dealing with climate change: The first is to address the root cause by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from human activity while the second is to manage its impacts.
According to the Climate Change Commission (CCC), “while the Philippines contribute next to nothing to the climate change problem, in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, yet we suffer the brunt. Nevertheless, we are making a stand because we believe that a resilient low-carbon future is the only pathway that will secure inclusive, enduring development for all. There is no excuse for inaction. It is our moral and intergenerational responsibility to build the capacities of our communities to these impacts and to take greater steps to protect our oceans.”
In March last year, His Excellency, President Rodrigo R. Duterte, signed the landmark Paris Agreement on Climate Change that calls for the reduction of carbon emissions, which have been linked to the occurrence of natural disasters and extreme weather conditions.
Two months ago, youths across the globe joined in protest to call on world leaders to respond decisively to the climate emergency with climate justice. Greta Thunberg, teen environmental activist and face of global climate strike efforts has been making waves in exacting accountability and creating awareness.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), recommends for the Philippines, “to listen to the science in its report and push for more integration of climate actions that would go beyond the time frame of their political positions. The government should really push for more ambitious targets in terms of adaptation and mitigation, because adaptation is not enough. Ecosystem-based adaptation should be in conjunction or reduction of emissions.”
“Fiercer storms and drier droughts” is how they describe the effect of climate change in the country. And we are not surprised. We had Typhoons Ondoy and Yolanda. In Bohol a state of calamity was declared due to the drought in the farmland. Indeed, climate change is the new normal.
Climate Change and Tourism
Focusing on tourism alone, we cannot deny the value of tourism for the country. Our major asset: our natural resources. But travel in general contribute to carbon footprints, unregulated practices of the tourism sector and tourism activities have an adverse effect on our natural resources. Unless we mainstream sustainable tourism, we fail our natural resources, we fail the next generation.
According to the World Tourism Organization, sustainable tourism is “Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment, and host communities".
Hence, adaptation and mitigation advocacies must be made part of tourism promotions. There are a thousand and one ways to do that: from eco-friendly designs of buildings and facilities, cleanliness and sanitation, ecotourism practices and activities, conservation efforts to tree planting in tourist sites – the possibility is vast.
Sustainable tourism should also maintain a high level of tourist satisfaction and ensure a meaningful experience to the tourists, raising their awareness about sustainability issues and promoting sustainable tourism practices amongst them.
It has been said that climate change is irreversible but it is not unstoppable. The Philippines’ vulnerability to the adverse effects of climate change gives us no excuse to be complacent in our mandate.
We have a lot to do. First on the list is the strengthening of the functional and organization structure of the Climate Change Commission. We need to allocate for research, for development of technical experts, for the empowerment of LGUs and communities and for the implementation down to the household level.
We need to strengthen the “whole-of-government” approach on climate change. We need to replicate best practices. In Bohol, for example, we were among the first provinces which approved an ordinance declaring our strong stand for a “No Coal Policy”.
Finally, political leaders, including members of Congress, carry a lot of influence on our respective constituencies. Being strong advocates on climate change adaptation and mitigation both in policy development and in actual day to day living can make a big difference in developing a resilient community. It should start in us: as leaders and as members of our respective communities.
Thank you very much. Daghang Salamat.
HON. EDGAR M. CHATTO
Representative, First District of Bohol
* Today's Helpful Tip *
Tala app is a fast and easy way to borrow money, and it's used and trusted by many. Download Tala to join millions of Filipino users today! >>>
http://inv.re/9o3vpLinkback:
https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=91517.0
