Mayor Abby Binay in New York City.

Fresh from her successful trip to the United States, Makati City Mayor Abby Binay said on Monday, Sept. 25, that her administration's gains in sustainability and women empowerment were the highlights of her week-long visit marked with insightful meetings on other climate action initiatives and programs.

On Sept. 18, Binay went to Times Square in New York to meet with other “empowered women” promoting various programs in their communities. She also gave a speech at the Women’s Federation for World Peace International (WFWPI) Office for UN Relations-New York and the National Federation for Filipino-American Associations (NaFFAA)-Northeast Region regarding the subject “UN and Local Government Initiatives to Achieve the SDGs.”

"Dito ay ikinuwento ko ang success story ng Makati at kung gaano kalaki ang naging impact ng mga Public-Private Partnership sa pag-usad ng ating mga smart city initiative at programa sa climate change. Isa sa mga opisyal ng NaFFAA si Loida Nicolas-Lewis, isang abogadang Filipino-American. Siya rin ay isang tinitingalang entrepreneur sa buong mundo (I shared the success story of Makati and the importance of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in making the city's smart city initiative and climate change programs a reality. Filipino-American lawyer Loida Nicolas-Lewis, who is also an official of the NaFFAA and renowned entrepreneur, attended the event. Lewis was also the very first Filipina lawyer who passed the New York state bar)," Binay said.  

She explained that her participation in the meetings was part of her mandate as a board member of the Global Covenant of Mayors (GCoM) to give reports on Southeast Asia.

"Hindi lang po Makati at Pilipinas ang mino-monitor ko pagdating sa mga sustainability climate action efforts, kundi ang ibang mga lungsod din sa rehiyong ito. Naging panelist din ako sa isang talakayan tungkol sa paksang “Unlocking Urban Energy Access and Poverty report launch campaign” kasama ang iba pang mayors ng GCoM. Dito pinag-usapan ang “energy poverty” na isa pa rin sa malaking problema nang maraming lugar sa Southeast Asia (I'm not just monitoring the sustainability climate action efforts of Makati and the Philippines, but also of other cities in this region. I was also a panelist in a discussion about 'Unlocking Urban Energy Access and Poverty report launch campaign' together with other GCoM mayors. We tackled about 'energy poverty' which is one of the biggest problems of many areas in Southeast Asia)," the mayor said.

"Sa progresibong lungsod tulad ng Makati, maaaring hindi halata ang kawalan ng kuryente at kahirapan. Pero sa totoong buhay, milyun-milyon pa rin ang walang access sa kuryente at maayos na pagkain kaya nahihirapang makaangat sa buhay ang mga indibidwal at ang kanilang komunidad. Ito ang isa sa major themes na gusto kong i-present sa darating na COP28 climate conference sa Dubai, UAE. Bilang miyembro ng advisory committee, mayroon akong pagkakataong maipaalam sa mga tinatawag na first-world nations ang sitwasyon ng mga mas mahihirap na lungsod sa ibang bahagi ng mundo (Poverty and loss of electricity may not be that obvious in a progressive city like Makati, but in reality, there are millions of people who don't have access to electricity and proper food, hence, making it much more difficult for them and their communities to rise up from poverty. This is one of the major themes I would like to present in the upcoming COP28 climate conference in Dubai, UAE. As one of the members of its advisory committee, I have the chance to inform first-world nations about the situation of much impoverished cities in the world)," she stressed.

The local chief said Filipinos have the determination and are rich in innovation. However, some do not have enough funds to implement these plans. She stressed the importance for all cities and communities to have access to climate finance to make the dreams of communities become a reality.

"Kailangan ding mag-invest sa sustainable infrastructure, public transportation, at climate resilience measures para ihanda ng mga lungsod para sa mga paparating pamg hamon ng climate change. Nakakatuwang napaka-receptive ng international audience sa aking mga ideya at suhestyon. Willing din silang magbigay ng tulong at umalalay sa atin habang nagbabalangakas tayo ng mga plano at programa para sa isang mas sustainable, resilient, at progresibong kinabukasan (It is also imperative to invest in sustainable infrastructure, public transportation, and climate resilience measures to prepare cities for the future challenges that may be posed by climate change. I'm happy to see that the international audience is receptive to my ideas and suggestions. They also expressed their willingness to provide aid and assistance as we continue to discuss plans and programs for a more sustainable, resilient, and progressive future)," Binay noted.