The Climate Change Commission conducts the pilot run of the Accelerated Climate Action and Transformation for Local Communities (ACT LOCAL) program in Caloocan City.
 

CALOOCAN CITY - The Climate Change Commission (CCC) emphasized the vital role of barangay health workers (BHWs) in addressing climate-related health issues during the modules pilot run of the Accelerated Climate Action and Transformation for Local Communities (ACT LOCAL) program for BHWs in Caloocan City.

Secretary Robert E.A. Borje, Vice Chairperson and Executive Director of the CCC, highlighted the significant threat climate change poses to public health, particularly due to the intensifying impacts of extreme weather events, rising temperatures, and shifting disease patterns.

"Ang pagbabago ng klima ay hindi lang usaping pangkalikasan, kundi ito rin ay isyu ng kalusugan. Ang patuloy na pagtaas ng temperatura at pabago-bagong panahon ay nagdudulot ng paglaganap ng iba't ibang sakit." Borje said.

At present, there are 253,000 trained Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) in the Philippines who provide first aid, child healthcare, and community-based interventions. These health volunteers also conduct house-to-house immunizations and support various health programs.

Borje stressed that BHWs are vital in responding to these health threats, making them the frontline defenders in climate-related health emergencies.

“Kayo po ang unang rumeresponde sa mga naapektuhan ng pagbabago ng klima. Kayo ang frontline ng mga komunidad at katuwang sa pagsagip ng buhay mula sa anumang epekto ng climate change sa kalusugan ng tao.”

“Kaya’t kami ay lubos na nagpapasalamat sa inyo sa pagiging bahagi ng isang mas malusog at ligtas na kinabukasan,” he added.

This strategy was part of the whole-of-government approach, under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., to strengthen the health sector and build resilience against the far-reaching impacts of climate change.

While acknowledging the critical role of BHWs in emergency response, Borje also emphasized that prevention is better than cure. He underscored the importance of building resilience as the best strategy to combat the threats of climate change.

During the session,  around 50 Barangay Health Workers were trained. This marks the third leg of the module’s pilot run series, bringing the estimated total number of capacitated participants to 150 BHWs.

ACT LOCAL is part of the CCC’s broader program to strengthen the capacity of local government units (LGUs) by providing technical assistance and support for climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.

The CCC remains committed to empowering various sectors in the fight against climate change, ensuring that climate action is science-based and responsive to the needs of communities across the country.

For more information on the CCC’s climate mainstreaming activities, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl