By Jocelyn P. Alvarez
ZAMBOANGA CITY - In an effort to popularize climate change mitigation and adaptation, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-9 did an advocacy campaign to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), barangay chairmen and academicians in a two-day Capacity Building Training organized by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration 9 (OWWA) in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-9.
PIA Regional Director Noemi B. Edaga said “mahalin natin ang ating environment at palakasin ang adaptation and mitigation ng climate change (let us love our environment and strengthen climate change adaptation and mitigation),” as she encouraged the participants to be active movers for the protection of environment.
“Magkaroon tayo ng pakialam sa climate change, huwag lang tayo maging ‘marka bahala’ (Let’s get involved in climate change, let’s not take it for granted),” Director Edaga emphasized.
She posed a challenge to the participants to “care and share” for the environment and “do our share and take care of what God has given us.”
OWWA Regional Director Hassan Gabra T. Jumdain said the training activity is for PESO managers, selected barangay chairmen, academicians and other concerned partners to provide the necessary knowledge and skills in the implementation of programs and services.
The two-day activity, which started yesterday, is in response to the pressing concerns of the OFWs and their dependents, and in support of DOLE’s thrusts in adopting the policy of convergence with the public and private stakeholders in the implementation of various programs, assistance and interventions for its clienteles.
An OFW Help Desk shall be established in the local government units (LGUs with the help of non-government organizations (NGOs) and academe.
Some 200 participants actively took part in the training activity.