[Press Release] Amid heat wave, municipality of Labo rallies 52 barangays to address the climate emergency | PMCJ
Photos by PMCJ
Camarines Norte, Philippines—The municipal government of Labo, Camarines Norte held a forum on the role of the local barangay units in addressing the climate emergency at the Labo Convention Center in Brgy. Bulhao, Labo this afternoon.
The forum was attended by officials from the 52 barangays of Labo, along with resource persons from the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ).
CamNorte is one of the 18 high-risk provinces identified by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in its National Adaptation Plan (NAP). These are provinces with “high exposure” to the effects of climate change, like extreme heat, rainfall, and flooding.
The CamNorte capital of Daet felt the immediate effects of the climate crisis on April 7-8 as the heat index peaked at 46°C, which falls in the danger zone declared by PAG-ASA.
“Nakakatakot na po ang nangyayari sa ating mundo, dito sa Pilipinas. Hindi mapagkakaila na tayo ay labis nang apektado nitong krisis sa klima, kagaya nitong heat wave at ng mga napakahabang panahon ng tag-ulan na halos hindi na tayo makakilos,” said CamNorte Mayor Severino Francisco.
Rafael Sarucam, president of the Camarines Norte Movement for Climate Justice and official of Brgy. Cabusay, declared the forum as an important step in prioritizing the welfare of the people of CamNorte and the environment. “Tungkulin nating pangalagaan ang kalikasan, kaya nakakatuwa na nagtipon-tipon tayo dito para sama-sama tayong humanap ng solusyon sa climate emergency.”
The municipality has committed to transitioning to renewable energy (RE). According to Edwin Tesaluna, PMCJ’s RE Expert, “Camarines Norte has a 3.6-gigawatt potential for RE due to its geography. Solar, wind, and geothermal are the most available options to the entire Bicol region, which would allow them to tap into a combined potential of 10 Gigawatts.”
Renewable energy will greatly reduce carbon emissions while empowering the local economy and livelihoods.
“More and more governments, local and international, are responding to the climate emergency as we approach the global warming limit of 1.5°C. We hope that Labo’s initiatives encourage other local governments to act, too,” said Ian Rivera, National Coordinator of PMCJ.
The forum is the first big move by the municipal government since its declaration of climate emergency on March 6, 2024. This was followed by Brgy. Cabusay of the same town on March 18, 2024.
Labo has committed to join the RE Investments Summit, which will be held in August 2024. The municipal government will also prepare its Renewable Energy Code. Barangay units are expected to draft plans based on action points raised in the forum.
FOR INQUIRIES
Raymond Ruedas (mediacommunications@climatejustice.ph) 09274382015
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