Private charity organization Pitmaster Foundation, chaired by businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang, is the top non-profit sponsor of the National Climate and Disaster Emergency Policy Forum, taking place on September 22, 2022, and with at least five Marcos cabinet members, the heads of the University of the Philippines and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and climate policy expert and Albay Representative Joey Sarte Salceda headlining the event as speakers.
The Foundation, which is also supporting environmental rehabilitation efforts in Siniloan, Laguna and Real, Quezon, has extended financial, logistical, and staff support for the holding of the event, which includes the Office of Rep. Salceda, Local Climate Change for Adaptation and Development, 4K Foundation, Komunidad, UP Resilience Institute, Project NOAH, and other organizations as co-organizers and sponsors.
Confirmed speakers include Secretaries Benjamin Diokno, Arsenio Balisacan, Raphael Perpetuo Lotilla, Robert Borje, and Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga. UP President Danilo Concepcion and BSP Governor Felipe Medalla will also be speaking.
In remarks released to the press, Pitmaster Foundation Executive Director Atty. Caroline Cruz highlighted the emphasis the Foundation places on sustainability.
“Green solutions are atop our concerns in Pitmaster Foundation. Our partners and partner communities are affected by climate issues. So, we want solutions that will both create growth and solve our climate problems.”
“Pitmaster Foundation, headed by Chairman Charlie “Atong” Ang, is committed to doing all that it can to support better climate policies for the Philippines, especially in community adaptation and renewable energy.”
“We are proud to have engaged in environmental conservation since early in our founding as a non-profit organization. This is a continuation of that commitment.” “With our support, we hope the climate forum will result in policy proposals and productive collaborations. We really wanted to get all the major decision makers together to exchange ideas, learn from each other, and find ways to solve our climate crisis.”
The recommendations from the climate summit will be officially submitted to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.