National and local leaders push for climate-resilient development in Eastern Visayas
TACLOBAN CITY, May 17, 2024 – Officials and representatives from national government agencies and local government units, policymakers, civil society, academia, and the private sector have committed to working together in advancing climate-resilient development in Eastern Visayas. Organized by the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), the Eastern Visayas Summit on Climate-Resilient Development, held from May 14-15 in Tacloban City, brought together stakeholders from across the region to develop community-responsive strategies and implementation plans for inclusive, sustainable, and climate-resilient solutions. “Eastern Visayas has long been at the frontline of climate impacts, from devastating tropical cyclones to rising sea [...]
Mapping Mangroves: Utilizing UAV Technology for Local Biodiversity Conservation
by Ma. Czarinna de Cadiz DOWNLOAD FULL STORY Mangrove forests are an important ecosystem and environmental support for communities located in coastal areas. The capacity of mangroves to mitigate floods and storm surges, maintain coastlines and coastal ecosystems, as well as their high carbon sequestration capacity, make them essential in the adaptation of coastal communities to the impacts of climate change. In post-Haiyan Eastern Visayas, the significance of mangroves for storm surge protection became evident in its coastal municipalities. Following the typhoon, partial damages were recorded in the mangrove forests of the region. With this, mangrove [...]
Renewable energy crucial in humanitarian action efforts – Eastern Visayas officials
TACLOBAN CITY, March 22, 2024 – Government officials from Eastern Visayas have underscored the critical role of renewable energy (RE) in humanitarian and disaster response and supported its institutionalization in the local development plans of provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays in the region. “It has been a long dream for humanitarian action to really come to know about renewable energy as an alternative for disaster emergency response. I know this will not only cover actions on humanitarian aspects, but this will also cover the entire operation of any local government, business, or economic enterprise,” said Ildebrando Bernadas, head of [...]
Salcedo Youth Advocates for Local Climate Action
by Ma. Czarinna de Cadiz DOWNLOAD FULL STORY It comes as no surprise that the generation projected to confront the catastrophic effects of climate change has expressed significant concerns about its impacts on their lives and future. A key study that surveyed the youth population from 10 countries has shown that 84 percent of respondents from the Philippines expressed emotional distress over climate change—the highest among all surveyed countries. Amidst this prevailing fear, the Filipino youth find ways to harness this emotion to champion locally-driven and youth-led climate action, to mitigate the impending impacts of climate [...]
A Case for Mangrove Conservation and Protection in Eastern Visayas
by Ma. Czarinna de Cadiz Download Full Story In the heart of Eastern Visayas, a world of natural wonders unfolds, from lush forests and vibrant coral reefs to hidden woodlands and thriving seagrass beds, each hosting a diverse shade of life. Among these ecosystems, the widespread mangrove forests stand out as unsung heroes, critical not just to the environment but to the very survival of local communities. The region is one of the most calamity-prone areas in the country, attributed to its geographical location. However, Eastern Visayas also benefits from the shoreline protection against natural hazards [...]