La Union, Philippines – Bauang Municipal Mayor Eulogio Clarence Martin De Guzman III officially declared a climate emergency and pledged the government’s commitment to building a resilient and thriving environment for their beloved town and its constituents, today, August 16, 2024, at Bakawan Eco Park where a tree planting activity was also conducted.

“It cannot be denied that our municipality is already suffering the impacts of climate change… […] Together with our partners, both from government and non-government sectors, we will examine the climate impacts of all future decisions and adopt solutions that are positive for climate, environment, and biodiversity,” Mayor De Guzman said in his speech.

The significant announcement was witnessed by key organizations, including the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ), Union Christian College, Diocese of San Fernando de La Union, Kanlungan, Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development, SK Federation of Bauang, Liga ng mga Barangay of Bauang, and Koalisyon Isalbar ti Pintas ti La Union.

Their continued engagement with the local government towards addressing the debilitating impacts of the climate crisis was institutionalized through an executive order that solidifies the collective action of the municipality and its emphasis on its stakeholders from the planning, implementation, and evaluation of their programs and policies on local climate change action plans. Some of its objectives are to develop a roadmap, to identify, assess, and manage hazards, and to disseminate information and raise public awareness, all for the protection and preservation of life, property, and environment.

“The town of Bauang is the first LGU in La Union to declare a climate emergency. The local governments are now taking action to support the national commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This is a significant step to inspire LGUs in the province and the Provincial Government to do the same. The community-based approach has always been effective in mobilizing different sectors to reduce risks and vulnerability to the effects of climate change,” PMCJ National Coordinator Ian Rivera said. “We applaud Bauang’s continuous efforts to address the ongoing climate emergency, such as their climate change adaptation plan last 2021, and now their comprehensive and up-to-date actions.”

A municipal climate emergency action council will be created with Mayor De Guzman as the chairperson. Collaborative efforts with the Sangguniang Bayan, frontline municipal departments, and barangay officials are to be fostered.

“Kinikilala natin ang mga hakbanging ginagawa ng lokal na gobyerno para sa ating kalikasan. Binibigay naming mga ordinaryong mamamayan ang buong suporta at maaari naming maiambag sa ating laban para sa malinis na enerhiya,” said Crisanto Palabay, president of Koalisyon Isalbar ti Pintas ti La Union. [We recognize the efforts being taken by our local government for our environment. We are giving our full support, as well as what we can provide to assist with our fight for clean energy.]

While ramping up efforts for a multi-stakeholder approach to the climate emergency, Mayor De Guzman made an explicit mention of the global fossil fuel phaseout. It is the comprehensive call to limit the global temperature to 1.5C.

With this, it has been proven that local governments are now doing their fair share of addressing the climate crisis, Rivera said. “It is high time now to fire up actions from other LGUs to commit and protect not only the future of their cities and municipalities, but also for the entirety to survive and thrive.” ###

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FOR INQUIRIES
Ella Gacutan
Senior Media and Communications Officer
Philippine Movement for Climate Justice
mediacommunications@climatejustice.ph