MANILA, 26 June 2021 - PNoy, as many called him, was an ally of the climate movement. Together with French President François Hollande, he spearheaded the Manila Call to Action on Climate Change in 2015 to call on all nations to work collectively and swiftly to fight climate change. Later that year at the 21st Conference of Parties to the United Nations Convention on Climate Change or COP21, he urged fellow world leaders to adopt the Paris Agreement as a testament of global solidarity and as a fair and legally binding treaty to stop global warming and climate change.  Under his leadership, the Philippines committed to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 70% by 2030 with its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions through the support of developed countries.  PNoy also signed into law Republic Act 10174 creating the People’s Survival Fund, which seeks to allocate annually P1 billion pesos for the provision of grants for climate change adaptation and resilience-building projects of local communities.  The CCC expresses its deepest sympathies to the Aquino family.

Farmers, weavers, and fisherfolks in Siargao learn sustainable livelihoods while promoting their culture. Photo from the presentation of Kara Rosas of Lokal Lab Siargao. MANILA, 25 June 2021 —  The 50th episode of “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Pathways” highlighted the ways on how travel can be sustainable, inspiring, and life-changing in the better normal, on the first part of “Sustainable Travel Series” featuring the island of Siargao in Surigao del Norte.   Siargao is known for its world-class surf spots, sparkling white sand islets, turquoise tide pools, and palm tree-laden lagoons.   The online conversation conceptualized and hosted by three-term Senator, now Deputy Speaker and Antique Representative Loren Legarda featured individuals and organizations in Siargao including Andi Eigenmann, vlogger of “Happy Islanders”; Vice Mayor Alfredo Matugas Coro II of Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte; Jerlyn Rabaca, School Administrator of Espoir School of Life Inc.; and Kara Rosas, Executive Director of Lokal Lab Siargao who shared and promoted ecosystems protection, climate resilience, and sustainable tourism in the island.   "Naging passionate ako about helping raise awareness on how to live a sustainable life. I care so much about the environment especially the ocean, because it brought me so much joy over the years. For me it's just one thing, to educate the locals and the visitors that come here and hope that I can influence them to be more mindful as people who live here and to be able to know how to preserve and care for the island they live in. And for the tourist na sana marealize nila na hindi nila ito bahay at sana tratuhin nila ito with respect and with care, 'leave nothing but footprints' sabi nga nila,” said Andi Eigenmann as she shared how she enjoys living the island life.   “We focus on social tourism to connect people with nature and with Siargao. It is a form of tourism that brings travelers to local communities with the goal of not only gaining pleasure from the experience, but also contributing to places they’re been visiting. We developed an eco-tourism industry that capitalizes on our biggest asset which is the mangrove forests and the vast municipal waters,” said Vice Mayor Coro as he tackled “Siargao it Up!,” a social tourism and mangrove management project of Del Carmen LGU.   "We all need someone who will believe in us, especially if the students are coming from underserved areas. Sa simpleng paniniwala ng isang eskwelahan, doon mabubuo yung pangarap ng isang bata. Aside from teaching them academically, we also wanted to teach them leadership habang bata pa sila, and to love the environment kung saan sila lumaki at pangalagaan 'yon," said Jerlyn Rabaca as she presented the advocacy of Espoir School of Life, a non-profit organization that provides free education to underprivileged children in Siargao.   "What we really want here at Lokal is to create a new way of life and to show that sustainability can happen, and it's not that difficult. It's through networking and empowering the local community working 'alongside them' rather 'for them', we're actually able to commit to a sustainable change. And more than anything, what we and Lokal want to show is that anyone really can help out as long as you're committed and you believe in what you're doing and the locals who also want to help out, and that's how you can make a change," said Kara Rosas as she shared the advocacy of Lokal Lab Siargao, a non-profit organization that supports and empowers the local community through impactful and sustainable projects that promote local culture.   Legarda, with co-host Atty. Ipat Luna, lauded the initiatives of the guests and committed to support the locals of Siargao by implementing measures that will enhance the local climate-adaptive capacities of communities, and at the same time, promote domestic tourism and travel sustainably.   “The time is not enough to be able to show the good things Filipinos actually do, the excellent work that the Filipino youth are modelling to the elders and we are showing to the world. It gives me the inspiration to see that you are embracing a life of nature and culture of sustainability in your own way and giving due respect to those who toil and till the land, to those who give food on the table,” Legarda concluded.   As an online discussion to promote health, environmental consciousness, and climate-adaptive practices, "Stories for a Better Normal" aims to change the mindset of individuals, families, and communities by demonstrating ways in which a ‘better normal’ can be realized within our communities.   This online discussion is organized in partnership between the Office of Deputy Speaker Legarda and the Climate Change Commission, with support from the Department of Education, Philippine Information Agency, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, The Climate Reality Project-Philippines and Mother Earth Foundation. 

MAYNILA, ika-23 ng Hunyo taong 2021 — Magtitipon-tipon virtually ang ilang individuals and organizations mula sa Siargao upang isulong ang natural resource protection, climate resilience, at sustainable tourism sa ika-50 episode ng seryeng “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Pathways,” na may temang, “Sustainable Travel Series: Siargao”.   Ang online na talakayan, na hango sa konsepto ng dating three-term Senator, na ngayo’y Deputy Speaker at Antique Representative Loren Legarda, ay ipapalabas sa Huwebes, ika-24 ng Hunyo 2021, 10:00 AM sa Facebook Live  facebook.com/CCCPhl at facebook.com/iamlorenlegarda.   Kabilang sa mga panauhin ay sina Vice Mayor Alfredo Matugas Coro II ng Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte; Andi Eigenmann, celebrity at social media influencer; Jerlyn Rabaca, Espoir School of Life educator; at Kara Rosas, entrepreneur founder ng Lokal Lab. Magbabahagi sila ng paglalakbay nila tungo sa better normal sa pamamagitan ng kani-kanilang lifestyle, advocacy at community-based enterprises sa Siargao.   Ang kasalukuyang pandemya ang naging dahilan upang mapabuti ang kalagayan ng industriya ng turismo sa bansa, na nagdulot ng oportunidad upang magkaroon ng sustainability sa sektor. Ang episode na ito ay magsisilbing platform upang isulong ang lokal na turismo at mga pamamaraan ng sustainable na paglalakbay sa kabila ng mga travel restrictions na patuloy pa ring ipinatutupad.   Bilang isang online na talakayan upang maisulong ang kalusugan at kamalayang pang-kapaligiran, naglalayon ang "Stories for a Better Normal" na baguhin ang kaisipan ng mga tao, mga pamilya, at mga pamayanan sa pamamagitan ng pagpapakita ng mga pamamaraan kung saan maaaring magkaroon tayo at isabuhay natin ang isang ‘better normal’ sa loob ng ating mga pamayanan.   Na-organisa ang online na talakayang ito mula sa pagtutulungan ng tanggapan ni Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda at ng Climate Change Commission (CCC) na binigyang-suporta naman ng Department of Education, Philippine Information Agency, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, The Climate Reality Project-Philippines at ng Mother Earth Foundation.

MANILA, 22 June 2021 — Individuals and organizations from Siargao will gather virtually to promote ecosystems protection, climate resilience, and sustainable development on the 50th episode of “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Change Pathways,” with the topic, “Sustainable Travel Series: Siargao.”   The program, conceptualized and hosted by three-term former Senator, now Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, will air on Thursday, 24 June 2021, 10:00 AM via Facebook Live at facebook.com/CCCPhl and facebook.com/iamlorenlegarda.   Joining the online conversation are guests including Vice Mayor Alfredo Matugas Coro II of Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte; Andi Eigenmann, celebrity and social media influencer; Jerlyn Rabaca from Espoir School of Life; and Kara Rosas from Lokal Lab Siargao, to share ways on how travel can be sustainable, inspiring, and life-changing post-pandemic or in the better normal.   The pandemic has led to a rethink in the tourism industry, providing an opportunity for more sustainability in the sector. While there are certain travel restrictions still in place, the upcoming episode will serve as a platform to promote domestic tourism and ways to travel sustainably.   As an online discussion to promote health, environmental consciousness, and climate-adaptive practices, "Stories for a Better Normal" aims to change the mindset of individuals, families, and communities by demonstrating ways in which a ‘better normal’ can be realized within our communities.   This online discussion is organized in partnership between the Office of Deputy Speaker Legarda and the Climate Change Commission, with support from the Department of Education, Philippine Information Agency, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, The Climate Reality Project-Philippines and Mother Earth Foundation.

MAYNILA, ika-21 ng Hunyo taong 2021 —  Sa ika-49 na episode ng seryeng “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Pathways” na nag-tampok ng limang nagtatag ng zero-waste at makabagong mga community pantries na nagtataglay ng di lamang bukas-palad na pakikipag-kapwa, kundi pati narin sustainable na mga paraan para mabigyang  inspirasyon ang mas maraming mga Pilipino na bawasan ang kanilang paggamit ng mga plastic packaging.   Ang online na talakayan ay hango sa konsepto ng dating three-term former Senator, na ngayo’y Deputy Speaker at Antique Representative na si Loren Legarda. Kabilang sa mga panauhin ang mga community pantry organizers na sina Adeline Almelor mula sa Brgy. San Miguel, Iriga City Camarines Sur Zero Waste Community Pantry; Jay-vee Mendoza ng Anahaw, San Pedro, Laguna Community Plant-ry; Edren Llanillo, Co-founder ng Go Bike Project sa Bugallon, Pangasinan; Maricon Alvarez ng Mother Earth Foundation (MEF) Malabon Community Pantry; at Evelyn Vergara, Founder ng the Community Reading Pantry ng Tabotong Elementary School sa Sarangani Province.   “Dapat hangaan ang mga community pantries sa innovation, sa bayanihan, sa unique na ugali ng mga Pilipino na tumulong hangga't kaya, at sa katapatan ng mga Pilipino” sabi ni Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda.   Ibinahagi ng mga guests kung paano pinapayagan ng kani-kanilang community pantry ang mga tao na mag-donate at kumuha ng mga pagkain at iba pang pangunahing mga pangangailangan nang libre, habang ang iba naman ay namamahagi ng mga gulay at halaman para tulungan ang mga tao na magtanim ng sarili nilang pagkain. Ang ibang mga pantry ay nakapag-bibigay din ng serbisyong pang-kalusugan at pang-edukasyon.   “Nakakataba talaga ng puso na maging daluyan ng pagtutulungan.  Habang binibigyang-diin natin ang “gift of sharing", masaya kaming maipakita ito at umaasa na makahikayat pa ng iba na mayroong mga alternatibo sa single-use plastics,” sabi ni Adeline Almelor.   "Ang slogan po ng Anahaw Community Pantry ay 'Take what you can plant, share what others can sow.' Ito ay inspired sa community pantry ng Maginhawa bagaman nilagyan namin ng konting twist – ang sine-share namin dito ay mga halaman, mga punla at kaalaman sa pagtatanim," sabi ni Jay-vee Mendoza.   “Simple lamang ang konsepto ng GO BIKE Project. Una, mag-train ng mga kabataan para maging emergency responders, at maging first aiders sa panahon ng sakuna. Pangalawa, mag-customize, mag-disenyo ng mga bisikletang gagamitin nila upang tumugon doon sa mga aksidente, o para magbigay ng first aid sa sino mang nangangailangan ng tulong. It’s a combination of youth na biker volunteers, first aider, tapos meron na rin silang gagamiting bike sa pagliligtas natin ng mga buhay,” sabi ni Edren Llanillo.   "Nang dumating ang community pantry, naisip namin na ang ganda ng konsepto na tumutulong ka. Why not help the community na nakakausap natin sa araw-araw na  i-embrace yung konsepto ng zero-waste," sabi ni Maricon Alvarez.   “Ginawa namin ang Reading Community Pantry na kung saan inilabas namin ang reading materials from our reading corner sa school at inilatag sa pantry, kasama ng mga snacks na binili galing sa sariling bulsa at iilang donors,” sabi ni Evelyn Vergara.   Ang community pantry ay isang serbisyong nakapag-bibigay ng mga goods direkta sa lokal nating mga mamamayan sa ilalim ng isang "trust system" kung saan ibinabandera ang slogan na, “Take what you need, give what you can.” Ang panimulang community pantry na nabuo sa gitna ng pandemya ay makikita sa Maginhawa Street sa Quezon City.   Hinikayat ni Deputy Speaker Legarda ang lahat kasama ng iba pang mga community pantries na gayahin ang sustainable na mga kasanayan sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay sa mga tao ng mga binhi at mga halaman upang makapag-tanim sila sa kani-kanilang mga tahanan sa halip na bigyan lamang sila ng mga instant foods.   “Hindi lang dapat bigay ng bigay, hindi tayo dapat forever na umaasa sa iba. 'Di lang natin dapat bigyan ng isda ang tao, bagkus turuan din natin siyang mangisda'. Sa ganitong pagkakataon, bigyan natin ang mga tao ng punla, para makapag-tanim siya ng sarili niyang pagkain. Bigyan natin ang mga tao ng pagkain, ngunit mas mabuting maturuan ang nga tao kung paanong makapagtanim sila ng sarili nilang pagkain,” pagtatapos ni Legarda.   Bilang isang online na talakayan upang maisulong ang kalusugan at kamalayang pang-kapaligiran, naglalayon ang "Stories for a Better Normal" na baguhin ang kaisipan ng mga tao, mga pamilya, at mga pamayanan sa pamamagitan ng pagpapakita ng mga pamamaraan kung saan maaaring magkaroon tayo at maisasabuhay natin ang isang ‘better normal’ sa loob ng ating mga pamayanan.   Na-organisa ang online na talakayang ito mula sa pagtutulungan ng tanggapan ni Deputy Speaker Legarda at ng Climate Change Commission (CCC) na binigyang-suporta naman ng Department of Education, Philippine Information Agency, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, The Climate Reality Project-Philippines at ng Mother Earth Foundation.

MANILA, 19 June 2021 — The Climate Change Commission honors Dr. Jose Rizal’s patriotism and unequivocal dedication and commitment to serving the country in commemoration of his 160th birth anniversary today.   Citing historical accounts, while in exile in Dapitan, Dr. Jose Rizal contributed to the construction of the town’s first water system, the development of hills into orchards of fruit-bearing trees, the creation of livelihoods from these projects, and the draining of marshes to rid the community of malaria.   He also helped plan the now sprawling city in Zamboanga by carrying out various projects such as the construction of an aqueduct that provided people with clean water and the building of fish pens. He also advocated for the draining of swamps to avoid being breeding places of mosquitoes, use of coconut oil lamps to light up streets, and turning the town into a green space by planting trees. He was engaged in farming, planting trees and crops, and showing the local people how to improve their agricultural productivity through enhanced methods like irrigation.   As a present tribute to the national hero, the CCC urges all Filipinos to continue his work of caring for the environment by introducing innovative solutions to issues and problems of the country, especially in light of the biggest threat to humanity and development, which is climate change.   The CCC also encourages the youth to follow the advocacies of Dr. Rizal, not just in the aspect of protecting the rights and sovereignty of the Filipino people, but also with regard to preserving the environment, to move towards the country’s desired progress to be a truly strong, independent nation.

To ensure that health protocols are observed, community pantries have signages reminding locals to maintain physical distancing, wear masks, and disinfect. Photo from the presentation of Adeline Almelor of the Zero Waste Community Pantry in Brgy. San Miguel, Iriga City Camarines Sur. MANILA, 18 June 2021 — The 49th episode of “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Pathways” featured five founders of zero-waste and innovative community pantries that exhibit not only generosity and consideration, but also sustainable and green practices to inspire more Filipinos to reduce the use of plastic packaging and to plant their own food at their homes.   The online conversation hosted by three-term Senator, now Deputy Speaker and Antique Representative Loren Legarda featured community pantry organizers including Adeline Almelor from Brgy. San Miguel, Iriga City Camarines Sur Zero Waste Community Pantry; Jay-vee Mendoza from Anahaw, San Pedro, Laguna Community Plant-ry; Edren Llanillo, Co-founder of Go Bike Project, Bugallon, Pangasinan; Maricon Alvarez from Mother Earth Foundation (MEF) Malabon Community Pantry; and Evelyn Vergara, Founder of the Community Reading Pantry of Tabotong Elementary School in Saranggani Province.   “Dapat hangaan ang mga community pantries sa innovation, sa bayanihan, sa unique na ugali ng mga Pilipino na tumulong hangga't kaya, at sa honesty ng mga Pilipino na kukuha lang niyang kainin at ng kanyang pamilya,” said Legarda.   The guest organizers shared how their community pantries allow people to donate and get food and basic necessities for free, while others distribute vegetable seeds and plants to help people grow their own food. Other pantries also delivered healthcare and educational services.   “Nakakataba talaga ng puso na maging daluyan ng pagtutulungan.  As we highlight the gift of sharing, we are happy to show and hopefully to inspire others that there are many alternatives to single-use plastics,” said Almelor.   "Ang slogan po ng Anahaw Community Pantry ay 'Take what you can plant, share what others can sow.' Ito ay inspired sa community pantry ng Maginhawa although nilagyan namin ng konting twist – ang sine-share namin dito at plants, seedlings and knowledge sa pagtatanim," said Mendoza.   “Simple lamang ang konsepto ng GO BIKE Project, una mag-train ng mga kabataan para maging emergency responders, maging first aiders na tutugon sa panahon ng sakuna, pangalawa mag-customize, mag-disenyo ng mga bisikletang gagamitin nila upang tumugon doon sa mga aksidente, o para magbigay ng first aid sa sino man nangangailangan ng tulong. It’s a combination of a youth na biker volunteers, first aider, tapos meron na rin silang gagamiting bike in saving lives,” said Llanillo.   "Nang dumating ang community pantry, naisip namin na ang ganda ng konsepto na tumutulong ka. Why not help the community people na nakakausap natin sa araw araw na turuan sila i-embrace yung konsepto ng zero waste?" said Alvarez.   “Ginawa namin ang Reading Community Pantry, na kung saan inilabas namin ang reading materials from our reading corner sa school at inilatag sa pantry, kasama ng mga snacks na binili galing sa sariling bulsa,” said Vergara.   A community pantry is a service that offers goods directly to locals. It operates on trust systems and banners the slogan, “Take what you need, give what you can.” The first community pantry during the pandemic was set up in Maginhawa in Quezon City.   Legarda then encouraged the viewers and other community pantries to adopt sustainable practices – by giving people seeds and plants for people to grow in their homes, instead of just giving canned goods, noodles, and instant foods.   “Hindi lang dapat bigay ng bigay, hindi tayo dapat forever na umaasa sa iba. 'We should give a man a fish, but also teach him how to fish'. In this case, we give the person a seed, so that that person can grow his/her own food. We give human a food, but it's better to teach the person how to grow their own food,” Legarda concluded.   As an online discussion to promote health, environmental consciousness, and climate-adaptive practices, "Stories for a Better Normal" aims to change the mindset of individuals, families, and communities by demonstrating ways in which a ‘better normal’ can be realized within our communities.   This online discussion is organized in partnership between the Office of Deputy Speaker Legarda and the Climate Change Commission, with support from the Department of Education, Philippine Information Agency, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, The Climate Reality Project-Philippines and Mother Earth Foundation.

A circular economy is an alternative economic model which promotes a more resource-efficient and cleaner production systems as no materials will be wasted. Photo from the presentation of Comm. Rachel Anne S. Herrera. MANILA, 18 June 2021 — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) encourages the youth to join the ongoing campaign to phase out single-use plastics and accelerate the uptake of circular economy to strengthen the country’s climate action.   In the Sulong Pilipinas 2021: Climate Change and the New Normal with the Youth Sector forum, organized by the Department of Finance, discussion focused on the importance of the role of Filipino youth in helping the country become more resilient to the effects of climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic and in improving socioeconomic policies. Hundreds of youth leaders and members of various youth organizations joined as the DOF and CCC, together with other national government agencies and private sector organizations, presented their related programs and initiatives.   Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III, who is also the Chair-designate of CCC, said that the climate crisis could wipe away the country’s economic gains in one go, like a tsunami, if we continue to do nothing and fail to mitigate it.   On a long term average basis, the Philippines is expected to incur PHP 177 billion (USD 3.6 billion) per year in losses to public and private assets due to typhoons and earthquakes. In the next 50 years, the country has a 40% chance of experiencing a loss exceeding PHP 989 billion, and a 20% chance of experiencing a loss exceeding PHP 1,525 billion.   “As bearers of the future, the youth--who will have to live through 2030 and beyond--have the greatest stake in overcoming this crisis. It is therefore very important that you understand this issue and take the lead in reversing this destructive course,” said Dominguez. “We need your determination to build a greener, healthier and climate-resilient future. We want you to use your talents, knowledge, and passion to achieve our climate ambition.”   Finance Assistant Secretary Paola Alvarez presented the country’s adaptation and mitigation measures, as well as initiatives in setting up the climate finance roadmap.   Climate finance in the country is a balance between the implementation of sustainable climate change actions and the pursuit of the country’s economic growth and development potential – focusing on financial instruments that are designed to mitigate the economic impacts of climate change while increasing revenue generation, taking into account environmental risks and impacts; and on green facilities and solutions to finance programs and projects on environment and natural resources management.   “All of these things are part of our commitments to show that the Philippines is serious in terms of implementing its climate change initiatives. We hope that the youth will appreciate what we are doing so that you can craft actionable recommendations on what or how you think the government can do policy or take action to help you secure your future,” said Alvarez, who is also the representative of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III in the Advisory Council of the Principles of Sustainable Finance.   CCC Commissioner Rachel Herrera shared the government’s initiatives on circular economy and anti-single use plastic campaign. She emphasized that pursuing a circular economy is interconnected with phasing out single-use plastics – which has been an environmental, public health, and climate change concern.   A circular economy is an alternative economic model where no materials are wasted; instead of ending up as waste, they move back to the beginning of the supply chain, meaning used materials find new lives. It adopts a more resource-efficient and cleaner production systems where the industry becomes more competitive while protecting the environment better.   “Our country’s single-use plastic problem is already hurting the entire planet. This is not the wake-up call—we’ve already been hearing that for many years now; but it is high time to stop pressing the snooze button, and start solving the problem,” Herrera stressed.   The CCC encourages the youth to adapt to more sustainable lifestyles and inspire more people to shift away from single-use plastics, and towards circularity and sustainability.   “The circular economy is largely focused on the technology and business side, but in the end a shift to it will only happen and succeed if individuals live sustainably—and in that, I hope you can spark positive, lasting change,” Herrera said. “We look forward to your insights on these issues. With young Filipinos like you leading the way, we have faith: susulong tayo sa mas ligtas at sustainable na kinabukasan para sa inyo,” she added.   Sulong Pilipinas is the annual consultative conference between the Duterte administration and various citizen groups. Since 2016, Sulong has been the platform for the government to consult stakeholders on socioeconomic priorities.   For more updates, visit the Facebook Page of Sulong Pilipinas at facebook.com/TulongSulongPH.

MANILA, 16 June 2021 — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) joins the world in the celebration of local ingredients and producers, preserving culinary traditions and the environment, raising awareness on global sustainable development measures across the sectors of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, and to practice sustainability in our daily lives this Sustainable Gastronomy Day.   June 18 of each year marks the celebration of Sustainable Gastronomy Day under UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/71/246. This celebration aims to focus the world’s attention on the role that sustainable gastronomy can play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, including by promoting agricultural development, food security, nutrition, sustainable food production and the conservation of biodiversity,   Gastronomy is the study of the relationship between food and culture. It involves training and studying the preparation, production, and service of the various foods and beverages, from countries around the world. Sustainability is the idea of something that is done in a way without causing any infliction to our natural resources and can be continued into the future without harming our environment or health.   Sustainable gastronomy is the cuisine that takes into account where ingredients are from, how food is grown/sourced and how it gets to our markets and our plates, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.   But the Special Report on Climate Change and Land released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimated that food generated between 21% and 37% of man-made emissions, specifically from: (i) crop and livestock activities within the farm; (ii) land use and land-use change dynamics associated with agriculture; and (iii) food processing, retail and consumption patterns, including the manufacture of chemical fertilizers and fuel.   For this celebration, the CCC urges everyone to help build a common vision for sustainable gastronomy — where food is nutritious and accessible to all, where we use clean sources of energy for cooking like through natural gas and electricity instead of coal, where we use biodegradable packaging like cooking and wrapping food in banana leaves, and where our ingredients and natural resources are managed in a way that maintains ecosystem functions to support current human needs, and lowers our carbon footprint. 

MAYNILA, ika-16 ng Hunyo taong 2021 —Magtitipon-tipon virtually ang ilan sa mga kilalang community pantry organizers upang ibahagi ang kani-kanilang sustainable and green practices sa pag-oorganisa sa mga community-based initiatives ngayong ika-49 na episode ng seryeng “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Change Pathways,” na may temang, “Zero-waste and Innovative Community Pantries.”   Pinangungunahan ni dating three-term Senator, at ngayo'y Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda ang episode na ito, na mapapanood sa Huwebes, ika-17 ng Hunyo 2021, 10:00 AM via Facebook Live sa facebook.com/CCCPhl at facebook.com/iamlorenlegarda.   Kasama sa gaganaping online na talakayan ang mga community pantry organizers mula sa iba’t ibang dako ng bansa, kabilang na rito sina Adeline Almelor mula sa Brgy. San Miguel Iriga City, Camarines Sur Zero Waste Community Pantry; Maricon Alvarez mula sa Mother Earth Foundation (MEF) Malabon Community Pantry; Jay-vee Mendoza mula sa Anahaw, San Pedro, Laguna Community Plant-ry; Edren Llanillo, Co-founder ng Go Bike Project, mula sa Bugallon, Pangasinan; at Evelyn Vergara, Founder ng Community Reading Pantry ng Tabotong Elementary School sa Saranggani Province.   Nagtatayo ng mga pansamantalang community pantries ang mga Pilipino para matulungan ang mga naghihikaos sa pera dahil sa kawalan ng trabaho ngayong panahon ng pandemya. Sa pamamagitan ng mga nasabing community pantries nagkaroon ng paraan ang mga tao para mag-donate at makakuha ng libreng pagkain at iba pang pangunahing pangangailangan, habang ang iba naman ay namamahagi ng mga binhi ng gulay at iba pang mga halaman upang makatulong sa ibang tao na makapagtanim ng sarili nilang kakainin. Samantala, naghahatid din ang ilang pantries ng mga serbisyong pangkalusugan at pang-edukasyon.   Itatampok sa episode na ito ang mga indibidwal na nag-organisa at nanguna sa community pantries sa kani-kanilang mga barangay. Ipinakita nila hindi lamang ang kagandahang loob at konsiderasyon, kun’di pati na rin ang pagsasagawa ng mga zero-waste operations, umaasa na magbigay inspirasyon sa maraming mga Pilipino na bawasan ang paggamit ng plastic packaging.   Bilang isang online na talakayan upang maisulong ang kalusugan, kamalayang pangkapaligiran, at mga kasanayan sa pag-angkop sa klima, naglalayon ang "Stories for a Better Normal" na baguhin ang kaisipan ng mga tao, mga pamilya, at mga pamayanan sa pamamagitan ng pagpapakita ng mga pamamaraan kung saan maaaring magkaroon tayo at isabuhay natin ang isang ‘better normal’ sa loob ng ating mga pamayanan.   Na-organisa ang online na talakayang ito mula sa pagtutulungan ng tanggapan ni Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda at ng Climate Change Commission (CCC) na binigyang-suporta naman mula sa Department of Education, Philippine Information Agency, Mother Earth Foundation, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, and The Climate Reality Project-Philippines.

MANILA, 15 June 2021 — Community pantry organizers will gather virtually to exhibit sustainable and green practices in organizing and participating in community-based initiatives on the 49th episode of “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Change Pathways,” with the topic, “Zero-waste and Innovative Community Pantries.”   The episode, hosted by three-term former Senator, now Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, will air on Thursday, 17 June 2021, 10:00 AM via Facebook Live at facebook.com/CCCPhl and facebook.com/iamlorenlegarda.   Joining the online conversation are community pantry organizers from various areas in the country including  Adeline Almelor from Brgy. San Miguel Iriga City , Camarines Sur Zero Waste Community Pantry; Maricon Alvarez from Mother Earth Foundation (MEF) Malabon Community Pantry; Jay-vee Mendoza from Anahaw, San Pedro, Laguna Community Plant-ry; Edren Llanillo, Co-founder of Go Bike Project, Bugallon, Pangasinan; and Evelyn Vergara, Founder of the Community Reading Pantry of Tabotong Elementary School in Saranggani Province.   Filipinos are setting up makeshift community pantries to aid those that suffer economically as a result of the pandemic. The Community Pantries allow people to donate and get food and basic necessities for free, while others distribute vegetable seeds and plants to help people grow their own food. Other pantries also delivered healthcare and educational services.   The upcoming episode will feature individuals who organize and lead community pantries in their respective barangays. They exhibit not only generosity and consideration, but also practice zero-waste operations, hopeful to inspire more Filipinos to reduce the use of plastic packaging.   As an online discussion to promote health, environmental consciousness, and climate-adaptive practices, "Stories for a Better Normal" aims to change the mindset of individuals, families, and communities by demonstrating ways in which a ‘better normal’ can be realized within our communities.   This online discussion is organized in partnership between the Office of Deputy Speaker Legarda and the Climate Change Commission, with support from the Department of Education, Philippine Information Agency, Mother Earth Foundation, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, and The Climate Reality Project-Philippines.

The Department of Education has ensured that their teaching and non-teaching personnel were given adequate psychosocial support during the pandemic. Photo from the presentation of Ms. Joan Grace Llamado from the DepEd Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service. MANILA, 14 June 2021 — The 48th episode of “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Pathways” featured the Department of Education’s “TAYO Laban Sa Pandemya: Tulong. Alaga. Yakap. Oras,” a mental health wellness campaign aimed to raise awareness and advocate for mental health and wellness to protect and promote the well-being of learners and personnel during the pandemic.   The online conversation conceptualized and hosted by three-term Senator, now Deputy Speaker and Antique Representative Loren Legarda featured guests from DepEd including Director Ronilda R. Co and Ms. Joan Grace Llamado from the DepEd Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS); Ms. Marie Fe G. Manuzon, Principal II from San Casimiro Elementary School in Nueva Ecija; and Marchelle dela Cruz from Cabiao Senior High School, Nueva Ecija and Francis Paulin from Buanoy National High School, Cebu, who shared and discussed the Department’s Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS) for Learners of the DepEd DRRMS, particularly the OKKK! Tambayan (Online Kahusayan at Katatagan ng Kabataan), and other programs aimed at protecting and promoting the well-being of learners and personnel in times of pandemic and disasters.   Director Co and Ms. Llamado emphasized the importance of knowing the real state of mental health of our students and educators to be able to provide proper care and assistance to them.   “Learning continuity in the midst of emergency or disasters - pero bago tayo makapag-continuity, kailangang alagaan at alamin natin ang kalagayan ng mga tao at bigyan sila ng alaga, kaginhawaan, at katatagan, para makapagpatuloy sa pag-aaral, o kaya pagtuturo, o pagpapatuloy ng kanilang gawain,” said Dir. Co.   “Napakahalaga po ng ating mga DepEd personnel, hindi po natin maibibigay yung quality education para sa ating mga learners kung ang mga teachers po natin ay hindi rin okay, kaya nagbibigay rin po tayo sa kanila ng psychological first aid,” said Ms. Llamado.   Principal Manuzon expressed that unity and showing care toward one another are keys to overcoming the challenges posed by the pandemic.   “Ang pagkakaisa, pagtutulungan, at pagmamahalan sa loob at labas ng paaralan ay isang malaking tulong upang malabanan ang kahit anong pagsubok ang kinakaharap ngayong panahon na may pandemya dito sa ating bansa,” said Principal Manuzon.   Dela Cruz and Paulin, as OKKK! Tambayers, shared how they motivate their fellow students to continue finding their purpose and ways to cope with the stress brought by distance and online learning.   "Sabihin po nating 'You are important, you are worth it, and you have a purpose' kung hindi po natin nalalaman kung ano ang dahilan kung bakit tayo nandito sa mundo. Alam ko pong darating ang araw na masasabi natin na 'Alam ko na kung bakit ako nandito sa mundong ito, dahil may kailangan akong gawin at kakayanin ko ito. Kung mapapagod man ako ay tiyak na magpapatuloy ako para magawa ang purpose ko dito sa mundo," said dela Cruz.   “Ilagay po sa puso’t isipan natin na let’s not be hindered by the pandemic. Let’s be prosperous and innovative to bring out our own light and greatness,” said Paulin.   Legarda, who co-authored the Mental Health Act while she was at the Senate, emphasized the need to further support and strengthen the Mental Health and Psychosocial Services by implementing it to every DepEd school, so that everyone can have access to wellness at psychosocial support. She also highlighted the importance of mental wellness as we cope in this time of COVID-19 and disasters.   "Hindi perpekto ang buhay. Maraming hamon, hindi lang sa kabataan, pati na sa amin na may edad na at karanasan, hindi lang sa panahon ng pandemic. Ang daming challenges, ang daming problema, hindi mawawala iyon. Let us do what we can. Let us be grateful of whatever we have, big or small, at magtutulungan sa panahon ng pangangailangan,” Legarda concluded.   As an online discussion to promote health, environmental consciousness, and climate-adaptive practices, "Stories for a Better Normal" aims to change the mindset of individuals, families, and communities by demonstrating ways in which a ‘better normal’ can be realized within our communities.   This online discussion is organized in partnership between the Office of Deputy Speaker Legarda and the Climate Change Commission, with support from the Department of Education, Mother Earth Foundation, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, and The Climate Reality Project-Philippines.

MANILA, 12 June 2021 — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) joins the Filipino nation in pursuing prosperity and resilience through urgent and widespread climate action and green recovery, in observance of the 123rd anniversary of the declaration of Philippine Independence today.   As a large island archipelago, the Philippines is witness to the intensifying effects of climate change. An average of 20 tropical cyclones, which are now observed to obtain increased intensity and scale, ravage the country every year. Global warming exacerbates droughts and dry spells and increases ocean temperatures causing sea levels to rise and induce coral bleaching.   The CCC commits to work with every Filipino and the international community to bring urgent transformation to our ailing environment and planet. The clearing of our forests and conversion of our mountains and lands have threatened the survival of plant and animal species that nurture life in our ecosystems. The plastic waste polluting our rivers and oceans have killed marine life and given rise to public health and safety risks. The continuous burning of fossil fuels from industries and sectors has polluted our air and aggravated the climate crisis.    The CCC vows to continue liberating our vulnerable populations from growing climate risks, demand climate finance and justice, and escalate efforts towards a more resilient Philippines—a country that is plastic-free and sustainable, and whose peoples are inspired to protect our own nation and planet.   The CCC also calls on all Filipinos to honor our fallen heroes by joining in the observance and upholding our sovereignty, to allow the present and future generations to rise under our greener, healthier vision for the country.

Rivers are a major source of plastic waste in the oceans. Philippine rivers are among the top contributors to riverine plastic emissions. Modeling and image from The Ocean Cleanup. Website:https://theoceancleanup.com/sources/.   MANILA, 9 June 2021 — More than a quarter of rivers worldwide responsible for 80% of ocean plastic pollution are found in the Philippines, with Pasig River and 18 other Philippine rivers among the top 50 polluting rivers in the world, according to a scientific study released by the publication Ocean Cleanup in the journal Science Advances.   The researchers designed a tool to track plastics flowing into the oceans, which calculated that 454 'very small' rivers contribute 25 percent of global annual emissions, while 360 ‘small rivers’ make up 24 percent of emissions. One hundred sixty-two (162) ‘medium rivers’ are responsible for 22 percent of emissions, while 18 ‘large’ and six 'very large' rivers contribute to two percent and one percent of plastic emissions respectively. Other rivers of varying sizes contribute to 26 percent of the pollution.   The largest contributing country estimated by the model was the Philippines, with 466 out of 1,656 world’s rivers dumping more than 356,371 metric tons of plastic wastes annually. The world's most polluting river when it comes to plastic is the 27-kilometer Pasig River which runs through Metro Manila, accounting for 63,000 tons of plastic entering oceans from rivers per year.   The study also suggested that coastal countries like the Philippines have a relatively high probability of plastic entering the ocean due to various factors, including short distances from land-based sources to rivers, and much shorter distances to oceans. Plastic also flows more easily into rivers from paved urban areas than it does in rivers from forests, and travels farther in rainy climates than dry ones. The researchers also considered for the study the proximity of landfills and dumpsites to river banks, finding out that those within 10 kilometers of rivers are likely to spill into them.   Aside from Pasig River, among the top 50 rivers that carry the most amount of trash and plastic into the ocean mentioned in the study are the following:   •         Tullahan River •         Meycauayan River •         Pampanga River •         Libmanan River •         Rio Grande de Mindanao River •         Agno River •         Agusan River •         Paranaque River •         Iloilo River •         Imus River •         Zapote River •         Cagayan de Oro River •         Davao River •         Malaking Tubig River •         Tambo, Pasay (Storm drain) •         Jalaur River •         Cagayan River •         Hamulauon River   The study suggested to have a targeted approach to drastically reduce the world’s river plastic emissions.   For the Climate Change Commission, the study findings raise extreme concern on the issue of mismanaged plastic wastes in the country, and supports the call of the Commission for urgent efforts to solve the plastic crisis by implementing measures to regulate and in turn, halt the production of unnecessary plastics-made straws and stirrers, spoon and fork, and plastic labo, among others.   House Bill No. 9147 or the “Single-Use Plastics Products Regulation Act”, recently approved on second reading in the lower House, serves as a potential measure that will effectively address the country’s high rate of plastic waste leakage and plastics' impacts on the environment, public health, and climate change through a nationwide phaseout of single-use plastics and implementation of producers’ responsibility schemes. This ushers the start for producers to shift their dependence on throwaway packaging models to more sustainable reuse and refill systems.   The agency strongly urges the public to use alternatives and adopt workable community-based solutions to shift away from the single-use, throwaway culture that currently dominates our market.

MAYNILA, ika-9 ng Hunyo taong 2021 — Magtitipon-tipon ang mga eksperto mula sa Department of Education (DepEd) para magbigay kaalaman sa usapin ng mental health at wellness, para maprotektahan at maitaguyod ang kapakanan ng mga mag-aaral kasama ng mga manggagawa sa hanay ng sektor ng edukasyon ngayong panahon ng pandemya sa ika-48 na episode ng “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Change Pathways,” na may temang, “TAYO Laban Sa Pandemya: Tulong. Alaga. Yakap. Oras.” Ang episode na ito ay hango sa isa sa mga programang pang mental health at wellness ng DepEd.   Ang online discussion na mula sa konsepto ni dating three-term Senator at ngayo’y Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, na ipapalabas sa Huwebes, ika-10 ng Hunyo 2021, 10:00 AM via Facebook Live sa facebook.com/CCCPhl at facebook.com/iamlorenlegarda at sa opisyal na Facebook page ng DepEd na facebook.com/DepartmentOfEducation.PH   Kabilang sina Ms. Ronilda R. Co, Director ng DepEd Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS); Ms. Joan Grace Llamado, Project Manager ng  DepEd Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services; Ms. Maria Fe G. Manuzon, Principal ng DepEd Nueva Ecija; at sina Ms. Marchelle dela Cruz mula sa Cabiao Senior High School at Mr. Francis Paulin mula sa Buanoy National High School na magbabahagi ng karanasan sa Mental Health at Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS) at iba pang mga programa ng ahensya na naglalayong maprotektahan ang kapakanan ng mga mag-aaral kasama ng mga manggagawa sa sektor ng edukasyon ngayong panahon ng pandemya at mga sakuna.   Matagal nang nakapagbibigay ng mental health at psychosocial support ang DepEd-DRRMS tuwing may sakuna o mga emergencies mula pa ng taong 2016. Inaamin at kinikilala nito ang mga hamong dala ng pandemyang COVID-19 sa buong pamayanang DepEd: para sa mga mag-aaral, na ngayo’y kinakailangang masanay sa distance learning, kung saan hindi nila kasama ang kanilang mga guro at mga kaibigan; para sa mga guro, pinag-iisipan pa kung papaanong sila’y epektibong makapagturo ng leksyon sa karampatang asignatura; para sa mga kawani, na nagtatrabaho sa ngalan ng pagpapatuloy ng serbisyong publiko kahit na sa gitna ng quarantine; at para sa mga pamilyang patuloy na sumusuporta sa edukasyon ng kanilang mga anak sa harap ng takot at pangamba.   Bibigyang-diin sa susunod na episode ang mga karanasan ng mga mag-aaral at ng mga kawani na nakinabang sa mga programa ng DepEd MHPSS sa pag-asang maitataguyod nito at mapoprotektahan ang mental health at wellness ng ating mga mag-aaral at kawaning nagtatrabaho sa sektor ng edukasyon.   Na-organisa ang online na talakayang ito mula sa pagtutulungan ng tanggapan ni Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda at ng Climate Change Commission (CCC) na binigyang-suporta naman ng Department of Education, Philippine Information Agency, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, The Climate Reality Project-Philippines at ng Mother Earth Foundation.

Photo from the presentation of Mr. Froilan Grate, President of Mother Earth Foundation.  MAYNILA, ika-8 ng Hunyo taong 2021 — Sa ika-47 na episode ng  “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Pathways” na may temang “Uniting Against Single-Use Plastic”, itinampok ang mga kinatawan mula sa malalaking civil society organizations na nagsusulong ng pag-phase-out ng single-use plastic (SUP) at agarang pag-pasa ng panukalang-batas na Single-use Plastic Products Regulation.   Pinangunahan ni dating three-term Senator, na ngayo'y Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda ang nasabing online discussion na dinaluhan nina Froilan Grate, Regional Coordinator ng Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) at President ng Mother Earth Foundation; Atty. Gloria Ramos, Vice President ng Oceana Philippines; at Marian Ledesma, zero-waste campaigner ng Greenpeace Philippines.   “Umaabot sa 3 milyong metric tons ng basura at 500,000 metric tons ang plastic waste leakage kada taon. Ayon sa GAIA, tayong mga Pilipino ay gumagamit ng 59.7 bilyong piraso ng sachet kada taon. Sa 100 million Filipinos, kung lahat ay gumagamit ng sachet, lumalabas na kada tao ay nagtatapon ng 597 pieces ng sachet per year. Hindi biro ang bilang na ito. Karamihan sa plastic na basura na tinatapon ay hindi nareresikulo. Napupunta ito sa basurahan o di kaya sa dagat at di natutunaw ng daan-daang taon," ayon kay Legarda.   Iginiit ni Legarda na pag-isipan ang ating pagkonsumo ng single-use plastic.   Inilahad ng mga panauhin mula sa civil society ang kanilang mga programa at proyekto sa kabuuan ng pamayanan para matugunan ang mga problemang dulot ng plastic pollution. Ibinahagi rin nila ang mga plastic-free alternatives para sa lokal na mga negosyo at alternative delivery systems at reuse solutions.   “Sa loob ng isang zero-waste system, kailangang sistema talaga ang nakikita natin, where the recyclables are being collected para ibalik at magagamit ito ulit. Ang ating mga food scrap at basura mula sa kusina na nabubulok ay magagamit muli via composting methods. Yung residual, yung trash natin, dito pumapasok yung efforts ng ating mga mambabatas para i-address through EPR (Extended Producer’s Responsibility) or SUP (Single-Use Plastic) ban na moving na sa ngayon. With companies, we are pushing them to redesign their products at magbenta ng kanilang produkto na hindi gumagamit ng plastic. It’s a whole system, lahat tayo ay may papel na gagampanan, pero kailangan din na makita yung buong sistema,” sabi ni Froilan Grate.   “Alam nating lahat na ang solusyon ay nasa ating mga kamay, ngunit kailangan pa nating magsikap at pagbutihin pa, magkaisa, makipag-tulungan, at mahalagang mayroon tayong mga konsyumer na mulat at may alam, at talagang may pakialam sa decision-making.  Ang talagang layunin natin ay tuluyang mapigilan ang plastic pollution at the source. Kinakailangan na ring magpalabas na at maglathala ng listahan ng mga non-environmentally acceptable products and packaging ang National Solid Waste Management Commission. Malayo ang mararating nito sa pagpigil natin sa plastic pollution at the very source,” sabi ni Atty. Gloria Ramos.   “Umaasa talaga tayong mas maraming mga negosyo ang kusang magbago ng kani-kanyang mga sistema at maging mas maagap na makasabay sa bagong mga proseso na inilunsad, alinsunod sa kaisipang pagbabawas ng plastic use. Ang mga pagbabagong kanilang magagawa ay maaari talagang makapag-pabago sa pamamaraan kung paano magnegosyo ang mundo, at maaari rin nitong baguhin ang ating sistema for the better,” sabi ni Marian Ledesma.   Ang episode ay ipinalabas kasabay ng approval ng House Bill No. 9147 o ang Single-Use Plastic Products Regulation Bill sa pangalawang pagbasa. Ang panukalang-batas, na naglalayong i-phase out ang iba’t-ibang uri ng plastics sa susunod na mga taon, ay sponsored ng House Committee on Ecology kung saan pinamunuan at kapwang may-akda si Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda.   Si Commissioner Rachel Herrera ng Climate Change Commission ay nagpaabot rin ng mga gawaing pagkilos ng pambansang pamahalaan sa nabanggit na kampanya laban sa plastics. Ang lahat ng pagkilos-gawain na ito ay pinangungunahan ng Climate Change Commission (CCC) at Department of Finance (DOF), sa pakikipagtulungan ng iba pang mga ahensya ng pambansang pamahalaan.   “Buo ang suporta ng Executive Department agencies para sa pagsasabatas nito, sa pamamagitan ng Cabinet Cluster on Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation and Disaster Risk Reduction (CCAM-DRR) Resolution No. 1 na sinimulang ipatupad ngayong taon, na nagpa-pahayag ng pagsuporta para sa national regulation at phase-out ng single-use plastics. Marami ring naka-pending na kaparehong bills sa Senado. Si Senator Manny Pacquiao ay nagsulong ng sarili niyang panukalang batas na Single-Use Plastics Regulation Bill (SBN 2262) noong nakaraan ika-1 ng Hunyo,” sabi ni Commissioner Herrera.   Nagsulong din si Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda ng House Resolution No. 1829, na humihikayat sa kongreso na magdaos ng inquiry sa National Solid Waste Management Commission at iba pang mga ahensya ng pambansang pamahalaan ukol sa pagpapatupad ng Ecological Solid Waste Management Act ng 2000 (Republic Act 9003), lalung-lalo na sa provision ukol sa non-environmentally acceptable na mga produkto o packaging.   “Mula nung naisabatas ang RA 9003 noong January 2001, dapat nakalista na yung mga pinagbabawal o phase-out na plastic, dapat na-implement, pero hanggang ngayon, 20 years na ang nakalilipasn ay wala pa ring listahan. Let us look into the non-implementation of the list ng mga ipinagbabawal sa ilalim ng Ecological Solid Waste Management Law,” Iginiit ni Deputy Speaker Legarda.   Bilang isang online na talakayan upang maisulong ang kalusugan at kamalayang pang-kapaligiran, naglalayon ang "Stories for a Better Normal" na baguhin ang kaisipan ng mga tao, mga pamilya, at mga pamayanan sa pamamagitan ng pagpapakita ng mga pamamaraan kung saan maaaring magkaroon tayo at maisasabuhay natin ang isang ‘better normal’ sa loob ng ating mga pamayanan.   Na-organisa ang online na talakayang ito mula sa pagtutulungan ng tanggapan ni Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda at ng Climate Change Commission (CCC) na binigyang-suporta naman ng Department of Education, Philippine Information Agency, Mother Earth Foundation, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, at The Climate Reality Project-Philippines.

MANILA, 8 June 2021 — Guests from the Department of Education (DepEd) will gather to raise awareness and advocate for mental health and wellness, to protect and promote the well-being of learners and personnel in times of pandemic on the 48th episode of “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Change Pathways,” with the topic, “TAYO Laban Sa Pandemya: Tulong. Alaga. Yakap. Oras.” The episode title is adapted from one of DepEd’s mental health wellness programs.   The online conversation, conceptualized and hosted by three-term former Senator, now Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, will air on Thursday, 10 June 2021, 10:00 AM via Facebook Live at facebook.com/CCCPhl and facebook.com/iamlorenlegarda. The episode will also be streamed through the official Facebook Page of DepEd at facebook.com/DepartmentOfEducation.PH.   Joining the online conversation are Director Ronilda R. Co and Ms. Joan Grace Llamado from the DepEd Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS); Ms. Maria Fe G. Manuzon from the Division of Nueva Ecija; Marchelle dela Cruz from Cabiao Senior High School; and Francis Paulin from Buanoy National High School to share and discuss the department’s Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS) and other programs aimed at protecting and promoting the well-being of learners and personnel in times of pandemic and disasters.   The DepEd-DRRMS has been providing mental health and psychosocial support to learners and personnel affected by disasters or emergencies since 2016. It acknowledges the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic to the whole DepEd community: for learners, who now adapt to distance learning, isolated from their teachers and friends; for teachers, who are reimagining how education should be done; for personnel, who are working for learning and public service continuity despite the pandemic and quarantine; and for the families, who continue to support learning in the face of anxiety and uncertainty.   DepEd also recognizes that COVID-19 has the potential to create a long-lasting and deep-seated “second pandemic” of mental health crises, bringing forth a generation afflicted with mental and psychosocial difficulties.   The upcoming episode will highlight the experiences of learners and personnel who benefitted from the DepEd MHPSS programs in the hopes of promoting and protecting mental health and wellness in the new normal.   As an online discussion to promote health, environmental consciousness, and climate-adaptive practices, "Stories for a Better Normal" aims to change the mindset of individuals, families, and communities by demonstrating ways in which a ‘better normal’ can be realized within our communities.   This online discussion is organized in partnership between the Office of Deputy Speaker Legarda and the Climate Change Commission, with support from the Department of Education, Philippine Information Agency, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, The Climate Reality Project-Philippines and Mother Earth Foundation.

MANILA, 7 June 2021 — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) commits to integrate migration as a key theme in policy discourse, and to develop migrant-centered policies and programs as more and more Filipinos are forced to migrate due to the climate crisis.   A report from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Philippines, Framing the Human Narrative of Migration in the Context of Climate Change: A Preliminary Review of Existing Evidence in the Philippines, identified farmers and fisherfolks, women, older persons, and the urban poor as the most vulnerable to climate impacts due to slow and rapid onset events, physical constraints to move, and low capacities to adapt.   The report particularly sheds light on the state of environmental migration in the Philippines, engaging the cities of Manila, Malabon, Iloilo, and Davao, as well as Samar Province, in the community consultations conducted for this report. The areas were selected due to their high exposure and vulnerability to climate impacts.   Jerome Ilagan, Chief of the CCC Policy Research and Development Division, said that “This is a long fight against the climate crisis. All institutions must unite and have the collective resolve to really ensure that across generations, we create champions from the communities. Our government is all prepared in terms of policy and programming support mechanisms and this IOM study is a policy-support decision tool. We know that the road towards resilience may be long and bumpy, but if we are together knowing that our mission is to make sure that no one is left behind, we will survive and thrive in this era of climate change.”   The report defined an environmental migrant as “persons or groups of persons who, predominantly for reasons of sudden or progressive change in the environment that adversely affects their lives or living conditions, are obliged to leave their habitual homes, or choose to do so, either temporarily or permanently, and who move either within their country or abroad.” It also provided an initial framework for in-depth policy research on climate migration, building on the existing evidence on migration and climate change in the Philippines strengthened by interviews with local governments and vulnerable sectors and communities who have been impacted.   The climate emergency worsens the already vulnerable geographic status of the Philippines and brings about more, extreme weather events, rising temperatures, sea level rise, heavy rainfall, and drought.   The physical effects of sea-level rise include inundation of low-lying areas, erosion, saltwater intrusion, increased risk of flooding, and storm surge damage. Such exposure and high vulnerability affect migration patterns in the country.   Municipalities and cities located along coastal areas are projected to be directly impacted and submerged by sea-level rise and inundation in only three decades. And according to the report, there are already 5.4 million Filipinos occupying land whose elevation is below the annual flood level.   This scenario leads to not only substantial socioeconomic losses of coastal structures, but also displacement of the population and forced shifts in livelihood sources and strategies. As people forge new ways of living, they also face increased vulnerabilities.   During the launch of the report on June 4, the CCC expressed its commitment to enhance efforts to respond to the immediate needs of affected populations while ensuring migration is utilized as a tool towards sustainable adaptation and risk mitigation for those affected by climate change.   The report, developed in partnership between IOM and CCC, can be accessed through this link: https://philippines.iom.int/sites/philippines/files/documents/Framing%20the%20Human%20Narrative%20of%20Migration%20in%20the%20Context%20of%20Climate%20Change_0.pdf.

MANILA, 4 June 2021 — In celebration of World Environment Day (June 5) and Philippine Environment Month (June), the Climate Change Commission (CCC) urged households and citizens to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle, including reducing and avoiding single-use plastic consumption, in order to help heal and protect our ailing environment and planet.   June was declared as the Philippine Environment Month, by virtue of Proclamation No. 237, s. 1988, to raise environmental consciousness among Filipinos. With the theme, “Sama-samang Pagkilos, Sama-samang Paghilom (Ikaw, Ako, Tayo ang Kalikasan),” this year’s celebration aims to draw attention and create a united movement for the Earth’s restoration, by reimagining a better world, reviving the strength of rivers, oceans, and coasts, and rethinking plastic use.   The CCC stressed that the country’s massive plastic consumption—with sachets alone, at 164 million pieces daily—and high plastic leakage to open environment has led to the Philippines being cited as a top plastic polluter in our oceans and lands. The climate body also noted that plastics are petroleum products and therefore contribute to global warming and climate change due to the extraction and burning of fossil fuels throughout their life cycle.   In order to encourage citizens to practice sustainability and lead a more environment-friendly lifestyle, the CCC recommended the following initiatives that individuals, households, and communities could pursue:   Growing your own food or patronizing local, plant-based, and in-season produce; Considering energy and cost-efficient transport modes, like walking and biking; Practicing energy conservation measures, such as using low-wattage appliances, unplugging electronics, and converting to LED light bulbs; Contributing to efficient waste management system by segregating waste, recycling products, and composting food scraps; Refusing and avoiding single-use plastics, such as plastic straws and plastic labo and sando bags by using eco-bags and containers; and Conserving water by collecting rainwater or reusing laundry water for other chores.   The CCC said that the observance should serve as a reminder of our relationship with nature and our responsibility to take better care of our ecosystems, habitats, and biodiversity and ensure a safe, thriving, and healthy future for all and the generations to come.

Setting up refilling stations could be one of the solutions to address throw-away culture and plastic pollution.  Photo from the presentation of Ms. Marian Ledesma, Zero Waste Campaigner of Greenpeace Philippines. MANILA, 4 June 2021 — The 47th episode of “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Pathways” series with the topic, “Uniting Against Single-Use Plastic” featured representatives from big civil society organizations advocating for the phase-out of single-use plastics (SUPs) and calling for the immediate passage of the proposed Single-use Plastic Products Regulation Bill to dramatically reduce the dangerous effects of unnecessary plastics on people’s health, the environment, and climate.   The online conversation conceptualized and hosted by three-term Senator, now Deputy Speaker and Antique Representative Loren Legarda featured guests Froilan Grate, Regional Coordinator of Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) and President of Mother Earth Foundation; Atty. Gloria Ramos, Vice President of Oceana Philippines; and Marian Ledesma, Zero Waste Campaigner of Greenpeace Philippines.   “Umaabot sa tatlong milyong metric tons ng basura, at 500,000 metric tons ang plastic waste leakage kada taon. At ayon sa GAIA, tayong mga Pilipino ay gumagamit ng 59.7 billion na piraso ng sachet kada taon. Sa 100 million Filipinos, kung lahat ay gumagamit ng sachet, lumalabas na kada tao ay nagtatapon ng 597 pieces ng sachet per year. Hindi biro ang bilang na ito. Karamihan sa plastic na basura na tinatapon ay hindi nareresikulo. Nananatili ito sa karagatan for hundreds of years. Let’s spend time to reflect on our consumption of single-use plastic,” Legarda emphasized.   The civil society organizations presented their programs and projects across communities to address the problems caused by plastic pollution, and shared plastic-free alternatives in local enterprises and alternative delivery systems and reuse solutions.   “In a zero-waste system, kailangang sistema talaga ang nakikita natin, where the recyclables are being collected para ibalik at magagamit ito ulit. Ang ating mga food scrap at basura mula sa kusina na nabubulok ay magagamit muli via composting methods. Yung residual, yung trash natin, dito pumapasok yung efforts ng ating mga legislators para i-address via EPR (Extended Producer’s Responsibility) or SUP (Single-Use Plastic) ban na moving na sa ngayon. With companies, we are pushing them to redesign their products at magbenta ng kanilang produkto na hindi gumagamit ng plastic. It’s a whole system, lahat tayo ay may papel na gagampanan, pero kailangan din na makita yung buong sistema,” said Grate.   “We know that the solution is in our hands but we need to work harder, work together, collaborate, and it’s important to have consumers who are informed, and fully engaged in decision-making, ito yung kailangang magawa natin. Our call is to really stop plastic pollution at the source. The National Solid Waste Management Commission should already issue the list of non-environmentally acceptable products and packaging. This will go a long way in stopping plastic pollution at the very source,” said Atty. Ramos.   “We really hope that more businesses can innovate their system and be early adaptors to new processes that are built around the idea of plastic-use reduction. Their innovation can really change the way the world does business and it can also change our system for the better,” said Ledesma.   The episode is held in time with the approval of House Bill No. 9147 or the Single-Use Plastics Products Regulation Act on the second reading. The bill, sponsored by the House Committee on Ecology Chair and co-authored by Legarda, seeks to phase out various types of plastics in the coming years.   Commissioner Rachel Herrera of the Climate Change Commission also joined the conversation and conveyed the national government’s efforts in the campaign to regulate single-use plastics, particularly the Anti Single-Use Plastic campaign spearheaded by the CCC and the Department of Finance, in collaboration with national government agencies.   “Buo ang suporta ng Executive Department agencies para sa pagsasabatas nito, through the Cabinet Cluster on Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation and Disaster Risk Reduction (CCAM-DRR) Resolution No. 1 adopted this year, which expresses its support for this national regulation and phase-out of single-use plastics. Sa Senado ay marami rin pong kaparehong Senate bills. Senator Manny Pacquiao has filed the Single-Use Plastics Regulation Bill (SBN 2262) last June 1,” said  Commissioner Herrera.   Legarda has also filed House Resolution No. 1829, urging Congress to conduct an inquiry of the National Solid Waste Management Commission and other national government agencies on the implementation of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (Republic Act 9003), specifically on the provision on non-environmentally acceptable products or packaging.   “Mula nung naisabatas ang RA 9003 noong January 2001 ay dapat nakalista na yung mga pinagbabawal o phase-out na plastic, dapat na-implement, pero hanggang ngayon, 20 years na ang nakalilipas, ay wala pa ring listahan. Let us look into the non-implementation of the list ng ipinagbabawal sa ilalim ng Ecological Solid Waste Management Law,” Legarda stressed.   As an online discussion to promote health, environmental consciousness, and climate-adaptive practices, "Stories for a Better Normal" aims to change the mindset of individuals, families, and communities by demonstrating ways in which a ‘better normal’ can be realized within our communities.   This online discussion is organized in partnership between the Office of Deputy Speaker Legarda and the Climate Change Commission, with support from the Department of Education, Philippine Information Agency, Mother Earth Foundation, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, and The Climate Reality Project-Philippines.

MANILA, 3 June 2021 — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) welcomed the approval today on second reading of House Bill No. 9147 or the “Single-Use Plastics Products Regulation Act”, legislation that would effectively address the country’s high rate of plastic waste leakage  and plastics' impacts on the environment, public health, and climate change through a nationwide phaseout of single-use plastics and implementation of producers responsibility schemes.   "We believe that this measure can finally put an end to our addiction to single-use plastics and will accelerate the ongoing research and development of more sustainable products and technologies, while creating green jobs," said Climate Change Commissioner Rachel Herrera.   House Bill 9147, sponsored by Rep. Jose Francisco "Kiko" Benitez, Chair of the House Committee on Ecology - Technical Working Group, seeks to phase-out drinking plastic straws; plastic stirrers; sticks for candy, balloons, and cotton bud; buntings; confetti; and packaging or bags with thickness of less than 10 microns, within one year. As a second category, plastic plates and saucers; cups, bowls, and lids; cutlery; food and beverage containers; oxo-degradable plastics; film wrap of 50 microns thickness or less; and sachets and pouches, are to be phased out within four years.   Producers and importers of single-use plastics shall also phase in extended producer responsibility programs within two years, which include recovery, transportation, and clean-up schemes for plastic wastes, as well as establishment of recycling, composting, and other waste diversion or disposal facilities. The bill also sets out fines and penalties ranging from P50,000 to P1,000,000 and revocation of permit.   The CCC is committed to take a proactive role in promoting concrete actions to help achieve climate targets and reduce our carbon footprint such as by adoption of circular economy approaches and sustainable consumption and production practices. These measures to increase resilience and adaptive capacity have also been identified in the country’s first Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.   Last January 2021, the CCC together with member agencies of the Cabinet Cluster for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation and Disaster Risk Reduction (CCAM-DRR) moved to approve Resolution No. 1 “Adopting the Principles of Sustainable Consumption and Production, Towards Regulation and Phaseout of Single-Use Plastics and a Responsible Transition to the Use of Environment-Friendly Products.”