The Climate Change Commission is joined by the local government units of Laguna and other stakeholders to kick off CCC Week 2023 with a tree planting and growing activity at the Caliraya-Lumot Watershed

PAETE, Laguna | 19 November 2023 – The Climate Change Commission (CCC) commenced the commemoration of the 16th Annual Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness Week 2023 (CCC Week 2023) with a tree planting and growing activity dubbed “Net Zero Challenge” at the Caliraya-Lumot Watershed in Paete, Laguna today. 

The Net Zero Challenge (NZC) is part of the CCC’s Carbon Neutrality Program in the Caliraya-Lumot Watershed, which aims to offset carbon emissions through nature-based solutions.

This initiative is projected to sequester 75.5 tons of carbon dioxide from 2023 to 2027. The tree planting and growing goes beyond commitments to achieving zero carbon emissions. It also offers advantages in disaster risk reduction, where trees stabilize slopes to minimize the likelihood of landslides and flash floods in the area.

Secretary Robert E.A. Borje, CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director, led the activity, which was attended by Paete Mayor Ronald Cosico, Paete Vice Mayor Vergilio Madridejos Jr., and representatives of Laguna Governor Ramil Hernandez, Laguna 2nd District Representative Ruth Hernandez, and Municipality of Kalayaan Mayor Sandy Laganapan.

In his speech, Borje emphasized the significance of 5Ps: planet, people, plant, partnership and prosperity. 

“We are here for our planet. We are here for the people who are affected the most by climate change. We need to plant more trees dahil malaki ang naitutulong ng mga puno bilang carbon sinks. Bukod dito, ang mas maraming puno ay nakakatulong sa pagsigla ng ating watershed, nakakatulong din ito sa pagpigil ng baha at pagguho ng lupa. Partnerships with other national government agencies, LGUs, civil society organizations and communities will give us a better chance of achieving our goal of resiliency and prosperity, lalo na kapag inalagaan natin ang ating kalikasan.”

Mayor Cosico expressed his support for the CCC’s net zero initiative, emphasizing the need to promote and utilize renewable resources.

“Sa mga ganitong gawain, ang inyo pong linkgod ay very supportive. Tama talagang dapat na natin pagtuunan ng pansin ang climate change. Iba’t iba na ang nangyayari sa ating bansa. Tayo, sa bayan ng Paete, nararanasan na rin natin (ang epekto ng climate change). Talagang tayo’y kinakailangan nang magtanim, magtanim, at magtanim dito sa ating bayan ng Paete,“ Cosico said.

Together with various organizations and stakeholders, including the Philippine Red Cross and the Net Zero Carbon Alliance, the CCC spearheaded the planting of 625 seedlings across a one-hectare expanse within the Caliraya-Lumot Watershed.

In partnership with the National Power Corporation (NPC) and the Paete Sagip Sigla Palay Farmers Association Inc, the Climate Change Commission, through the NZC, targets to plant 15,625 seedlings across a 25-hectare area in the Caliraya-Lumot Watershed, covering the municipalities of Lumban, Kalayaan, and Cavinti, Laguna. 

This initiative offers disaster risk reduction as well as adaptation and mitigation co-benefits that will reduce the damage caused by natural hazards to lives and livelihoods, and bring positive effects on air quality, biodiversity and greenhouse gas emission reduction.

The CCC works continuously to achieve a carbon-neutral, sustainable future, and hopes to replicate similar partnership and resource arrangements with other NGAs.

Borje said, “We hope to replicate the partnership and resource arrangements with other NGAs and LGUs. Ito pong cooperation agreement between the National Power Corporation and the Climate Change Commission makes it possible for partnerships with LGUs like Paete to achieve mitigation targets and build adaptive capacities.”
The 16th Annual Climate Change Consciousness Week (CCC Week) is a week-long event that underscores the importance of community collaboration and collective action to address climate change. It runs from November 19 to 25 with the theme "Bayanihan Para sa Klima: Bagong Bansang Matatag.