To boost public awareness of climate change adaptation and mitigation in the country, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) and the Climate Change Commission (CCC) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Wednesday, July 26.
Representatives of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) and Climate Change Commission (CCC) during the MOA signing on July 26, 2023. (Photo by Rhowen Del Rosario)
One of the key focus areas of the six-year partnership is capacity development training.
The collaborative effort also aims to enhance the knowledge and skills of individuals and communities in various areas that will engage in information sharing and provide vital resources and data to support evidence-based decision-making in climate change adaptation.
The PRC and CCC hoped to empower people to better respond to the challenges posed by climate change.
CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje highlighted the significance of this partnership, noting that it is an essential step in strengthening alliances for the benefit of the Filipino people.
Borje underscored the need for transformative and meaningful climate action and underscored the importance of resourcing action plans for climate change adaptation and mitigation.
"It is time to reaffirm, and we do our commitment for transformative and meaningful climate action," Borje said. "We want to work closely with the PRC in finding and resourcing action plans for adaptation mitigation," he added.
Meanwhile, PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Richard Gordon stressed the urgency of the situation, stating that the Philippines cannot afford to delay its efforts in combating climate change.
"We will still be 'left behind' that is why it is important to catch up real fast in saving our planet Earth," Gordon said.
Gordon said that PRC together with CCC will try to mobilize two million volunteers all over the country.
Rallying this significant workforce, he added, aims to create a widespread climate movement that can drive positive change and prompt action at all levels of society.
The PRC also pledged its support to various programs of the CCC such as the Communities for Resilience (CORE) Program and Carbon-Neutral Program (CNP); engage partners on the Carbon-Zero challenge and other forestation activities, an initiative aimed at reducing the carbon emissions from a product or service.
PRC Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang, for her part, said that the PRC is committed to the climate change mitigation program by preparing the people to grow and strengthen the climate movement.
Pang added that "we have to work together to advance climate resilience and it requires not just the work of the government [and] PRC but the whole society with nature to mitigate the impact of climate change."
Moreover, CCC Vice Chairperson expressed gratitude to the PRC for the partnership, particularly for its contributions to forestry and natural resources management. He reaffirmed the association can make significant strides in addressing climate change challenges. (Rhowen Del Rosario)