MANILA, 19 May 2022 — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) and the Climate Reality Project Philippines (TCRP) invite the public to watch the first episode of “Stories for A Better Reality,” this Friday, 20 May 2022, 10:00 AM via Facebook Live, in time for the celebration of International Day for Biological Diversity. The pilot episode, entitled, “Biodiversity and Climate Change: Anong Konek?” will highlight the importance of protecting and restoring biodiversity, and the role of environment in climate change adaptation and mitigation. This will be streamed live via the Facebook pages of the Climate Change Commission (https://www.facebook.com/CCCPhl) and the Climate Reality Project Philippines (https://www.facebook.com/climaterealityphilippines). The webisode will feature guests including Jamie Dichavez, Campaign Lead of 30 x 30 Southeast Asia; Abigail Kitma, Chairperson of United Nations Youth Advisory Board; Director Natividad Bernardino from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR-BMB); and Dr. Aimee Lynn Barrion-Dupo from the University of the Philippines-Los Baños. The Philippines is considered a mega-diverse country and also a biodiversity hotspot, with an alarming pace of destruction of natural resources due to overexploitation, deforestation, land degradation, pollution, and climate change, among other factors. The upcoming episode will feature government agencies, youth leaders, and non-governmental organizations that are at the forefront of developing and implementing strategies to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change and the loss of biodiversity. “Stories for A Better Reality” seeks to tackle climate issues, promote initiatives and solutions, and inform policy and action by framing the discussion from the perspective of the youth. This monthly webcast series is organized in partnership between the Climate Change Commission and the Climate Reality Project Philippines, with support from the Department of Education, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, National Youth Commission, Kids for Kids, and Wavefarers.
MANILA, 29 April 2022 — Two Davao City students were hailed as grand champions of the Klimathon: Our Race Towards A Net Zero Reality hackathon in its awarding ceremony held virtually on 22 April 2022, in commemoration of Earth Day. ‘Team Neutralizer’, composed of Jeremiah Malalis and Larry John Competente from the University of Mindanao (Davao City Campus), said that their innovation aims to help small-holder farmers to increase their income and production through automated bamboo vertical farming systems or hydroponics. Their proposal, titled “Synthesis of Engineered Bamboo Nanocomposite Through Sol-Gel Technique: A Breakthrough in Automated Vertical Farming using Hydroponics in the Philippines,” bagged the Php 100,000 grand prize which can be used as seed money to further develop or implement their project. ‘Genoplas’ from Mabini Academy High School in Lipa City, Batangas placed second followed by ‘Econique’ from Ateneo de Naga University. They received Php 50,000 and Php 40,000 cash prizes, respectively. All these three winners also took home trophies. Special citation awards for Community Participation, Gender Empowerment, and Originality were also given recognition during the virtual ceremony. Klimathon received more than 30 entries all over the country, of which the top ten teams were selected. The teams had undergone a mentoring program led by industry experts to further enhance their project concepts. Their final project proposals were presented to the panel of judges led by Dr. Maria Angela Zafra, member of the CCC National Panel of Technical Experts, with members Undersecretary Analiza Rebuelta-Teh from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); Ms. Antoinette Taus, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Goodwill Ambassador and Founder of CORA Philippines; Dr. Enrico C. Paringit, Executive Director of the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD); and Ms. Jasmin Estacio, Innovation Portfolio Management Head of Nestlé Philippines Inc. The complete list of winners of Klimathon, announced by Commissioner Rachel Herrera of the Climate Change Commission (CCC) and Ms. Cristine Ponce-Garcia, AVP of Sustainability and Public Affairs of Nestlé Philippines, are as follows: Champion: Team Neutralizer Jeremiah Malalis and Larry John Competente University of Mindanao Davao City, Davao del Sur 1st runner-up: Team Genoplas Daphnie Yesha O. Valdez and Almira Grace C. Tenoso Mabini Academy High School Lipa City, Batangas 2nd runner-up: Team Econique Michelle De Vergara and Kristaleen Trisha Lagasca Ateneo de Naga University Naga City, Camarines Sur Special Award: Community Participation: Team Tagubtub Jaspher Ian A. Gregorio, Nelson P. Dapal III, Princess Rau B. Cunanan Mindanao State University High School General Santos City, South Cotabato Special Award: Gender Empowerment: Genoplas Daphnie Yesha O. Valdez and Almira Grace C. Tenoso Mabini Academy High School Lipa City, Batangas Special Award: Originality: Econique Michelle De Vergara and Kristaleen Trisha Lagasca Ateneo de Naga University Naga City, Camarines Sur Klimathon: Our Race Towards A Net Zero Reality, a joint project of the CCC and Nestlé Philippines, highlights the capability of young Filipino innovators to develop and showcase sustainability-focused solutions that can help address current issues and challenges relating to the climate crisis. “For Klimathon, we are privileged to work with the youth in particular, by providing a platform for developing science-based solutions to climate change. You are the most passionate and creative of the society, and you can make a difference,” said Kais Marzouki, Chairman and CEO of Nestlé Philippines. CCC Secretary Robert E.A. Borje expressed his gratitude to Nestlé Philippines in this endeavor to discover innovative solutions from the youth. Further, Secretary Borje also congratulated the participants and winners of Klimathon and emphasized the critical role of the youth in the pursuit of sustainability and climate resilience. “Let us continue to invest more in our youth, in our communities, and in our creativity and intellect as a nation towards sustainability and resiliency. This is the only way to go in order for us to secure a better future for our nation,” said Secretary Borje. Watch the video of the Awarding Ceremony through this link: https://www.facebook.com/CCCPhl/videos/3853522294872965.
MANILA, 29 April 2022 — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) conducted a series of activities this April in commemoration of Earth Month and Earth Day 2022 aimed at increasing awareness on and promoting climate change action and countering environmental degradation. The CCC produced and released a special Earth Day video covering messages from climate leaders and advocates, including President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, CCC Chair-Designate and Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Secretary Robert E.A. Borje, Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, and National Panel of Technical Experts Chairperson Dr. Doracie Zoleta-Nantes. “Let us work with greater vigor to engage our people, our local communities, our industries, and all other stakeholders in our efforts to achieve a climate-resilient and climate-smart Philippines,” said President Rodrigo Roa Duterte who chairs the CCC. “The Philippines is well-positioned to make a difference in this battle against climate crisis. Let us work hand-in-hand to achieve a new low carbon economy and a greener future for all,” said CCC Chair-Designate and Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III. “Buhay at kabuhayan ang nakasalalay sa nagbabagong klima, especially for developing countries like the Philippines. Your Climate Change Commission will continue to do its part to strengthen our collective efforts to address the impacts of climate change. We urge all sectors of the nation – and indeed of our planet – to together invest fully and completely – to climate change mitigation and adaptation. Sa kamay nating lahat nakasalalay ang ating kinabukasan. Ating pangalagaan ang ating bayan at ang ating mundo,” said CCC Secretary Borje. “Only if we respect nature as beauty and bounty, not only for humans, but for all living creations, can we survive climate change and other planetary threats. Only if we keep the planet and nature’s resources healthy and alive can we truly hope for a healthier, brighter, and more resilient future,” said Legarda. “Protecting the health of our environment means protecting our communities from the threats that are brought about by the warming of the global atmosphere and intensification of weather events. This Earth Day and beyond, let us do our share together and get heavily involved in undertaking climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction programs and activities,” said Dr. Nantes. The CCC launched a 12-day artcard series on social media entitled, “12 Ways over 12 Days toward climate-resilient, sustainable living” from April 10-22 to promote 12 simple climate adaptation and mitigation practices individuals and communities can undertake to address climate change. On April 18, the CCC conducted its first-ever coastal clean-up at the Las Piñas–Parañaque Wetland Park (LPPWP) and to generate greater consciousness and actions on responsible consumer behaviour by reducing plastic consumption and observing waste management. Secretary Borje, Commissioner Rachel Anne Herrera and Commissioner Albert Dela Cruz, along with CCC personnel collected 85 sacks of wastes weighing 583 kilograms, 511 kilograms of which were plastics. The LPPWP was declared as a National Protected Area under Republic Act No. 11038 or the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (ENIPAS) Act, and a Ramsar site under the Ramsar Convention of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The site is known for its rich mangrove and mudflat biodiversity and serves as a stopover of migratory birds. On Earth Day, 22 April, the CCC co-organized the “Pagyabong 2022: An Enrichment Tree Planting Activity” held at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center (NAPWC) Arboretum. The tree planting activity highlighted this year’s Earth Day theme, “Invest in Our Planet,” by planting native trees as a practical way to address both environmental and climate crises. This activity was organized in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Biodiversity Management Bureau and ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity. Dubbed as the “Nature Park in City’s Heart,” the NAPWC is also legislated as one of the country’s Protected Areas under the ENIPAS Act and was declared as a national park. Thereafter, the CCC, together with The Climate Reality Philippines and the Office of Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, facilitated the launch of “Stories For A Better Reality,” a monthly webinar series aimed at tackling climate issues, promoting initiatives and solutions, and informing policy and action framed from the perspective of the youth. This webinar evolved from the weekly Stories for A Better Normal aired from May 2020 to February 2022. Finally on Earth day, the Awarding Ceremony of the Klimathon: Our Race Towards A Net Zero Reality was held. This is a joint project of the CCC and Nestlé Philippines to highlight the capability of young Filipino innovators to develop and showcase sustainability-focused solutions that can help address current issues and challenges relating to the climate crisis. The proposal, “Synthesis of Engineered Bamboo Nanocomposite Through Sol-Gel Technique: A Breakthrough in Automated Vertical Farming using Hydroponics in the Philippines,” of ‘Team Neutralizer’, composed of Jeremiah Malalis and Larry John Competente from the University of Mindanao - Davao City Campus, bagged the Php 100,000 grand prize. This innovation aims to help small-holder farmers to increase their income and production through automated bamboo vertical farming system. Meanwhile, on 28 April, the CCC held a dialogue and coastal clean-up with civil society organizations (CSOs). Discussions centered on strengthening partnerships with civil society and non-government stakeholders towards fostering an enabling environment for climate action. Present during the said activity were Aksyon Klima Pilipinas, Conservation International Philippines, Green Space Pilipinas, Mother Earth Foundation, OxFam Pilipinas, The Climate Reality Project Philippines, and the Philippine Center for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development, Inc. For one hour, the CCC and the participating CSOs were able to collect 22 sacks of wastes weighing 137 kilograms. “What's important in the climate change debate and action is that there is a strong partnership between government and the civil society sector. We need you as partners to tell us what we are doing right and what we are doing wrong and what we need to continue to improve on. Let us all work together,” said Secretary Borje. To know more about the activities of the CCC, visit its social media handles at /CCCPhl.
Photo Credit: PCOO Global Media Affairs The Philippine delegation to the 4th Asia Pacific Water Summit led by Climate Change Commission Secretary Robert E.A. Borje and Department of Public Works and Highways Acting Secretary Roger G. Mercado attended briefings by the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo and Philippine Consulate General in Osaka, on April 23, 2022. Both officials participated in plenary and breakout sessions to advance Philippine positions on water resource management and security in the context of climate change mitigation and adaptation. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte addressed the 4th Asia Pacific Water Summit through a video message. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte designated Secretary Borje as Special Envoy and personal representative to the 4th Asia Pacific Water Summit.
Photo Credit: PCOO Global Media Affairs Climate Change Commission Secretary Robert E.A. Borje introduces President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and the President’s special video message at the Head of States and Government Meeting during the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit at the Kumamoto-Jo Hall in Kumamoto City, Japan, April 23, 2022. President Duterte called for bolder, wiser and urgent actions to address water-related issues in the region. He also emphasised the need for an integrated and coherent policy and the resolve to create opportunities for investment and collaboration for technological solutions. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte designated Secretary Borje as Special Envoy and personal representative to the 4th Asia Pacific Water Summit.
