PGMA signs Climate Change implementing rules
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed today the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9729, otherwise known as the Philippine Climate Change Act of 2009.
The law was enacted to institutionalize government efforts to prepare the country for the worst effects of climate change.
On hand in the signing ceremony in Malacanang this morning were Presidential Adviser on Climate Change Heherson Alvarez and Environment Secretary Eleazar Quinto.
President Arroyo signed RA 9729 into law on Oct. 23 last year.
The first of its kind in the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), RA 9729 formulates a strategy of climate change mitigation and adaptation for implementation from the national to provincial, city/town, and down to barangay level.
The law created the Climate Change Commission, headed by the President herself, the sole policy making body of the government tasked to coordinate, monitor and evaluate the programs and action plans on climate change.
The IRR outlines the powers and functions of the Commission and all duties and responsibilities of all concerned agencies, including local government units (LGUs).
Among these powers and functions is the formulation of an action plan for implementation down to the barangay level, with emphasis on risk management and reduction.
The Philippines, being vulnerable to climate change, called for deep and early cuts in greenhouse gas emissions particularly, directing the appeal to highly industrialized countries during the 15th Conference of Parties (COP-15) in Copenhagen in December last year. (PNA)
Flood claims 3 lives, affects 52,746 persons in Agusan del Sur
PATIN-AY, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, Jan. 22 - The continuous rain that caused floods in several areas in this landlocked province, particularly those in the river towns, has now claimed three lives and victims swelled to 10,742 families or 52,746 individuals.
Damage to infrastructure and agricultural crops also rise as 35 barangays are reported submerged by flash floods.
Provincial officials, led by Gov. Maria Valentina Plaza, spearheaded the social welfare and disaster personnel along with rescue teams from the provincial, municipal disaster councils in conducting rescue and relief operations.
Latest report reaching the disaster action center here stated that
Prosperidad, the capital town of this province, also suffered severe flooding with 17,880 persons or 3,576 families from 11 affected barangays.
In nearby
The Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) already reported three deaths. They were identified as Lovely A. Lamery, nine; Jalyn N. Encarnacion, 11, both of Barangay Tagapua, San Francisco town; and Pedro Hilot, 34 of Barangay Sampaguita, Veruela town.
Two other persons were reported injured when their house was hit by landslide in far-flung village of this town.
To date, Prosperidad alone recorded some P2 million damages on roads and another estimated P7 million damages on agriculture while San Luis also reported some 264 hectares of rice field were damaged.
As this developed, the local disaster councils still continue monitoring the situation in close coordination with the PDCC, as moderate rainfall continue to batter the area.
Relief operations are continuing.
Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Caraga Regional Director Dr. Blanche T. Gobencion on her final report to Administrator Glenn J. Rabonza said that flood victims in some areas in Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Sur and Surigao del Norte have started returning to their homes as floodwaters already subsided. (PNA/PIA-Caraga)
