IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay – The Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-9 is now embarking on a massive advocacy campaign relative to climate change resiliency and adaptation, said Zamboanga Sibugay Information Center Manager Alma L. Tingcang in a statement.
The PIA-Sibugay team on Friday visited national high schools of Alicia, Imelda and Buug towns, which are identified as disaster-prone areas, to coordinate the conduct of advocacy forums for high school students.
“As climate change affects all of us, we believe that being partners with the academe would spell success for our advocacy efforts and equip students with knowledge in coping with disasters,” explained Ms. Tingcang.
The Climate Change Advocacy Forum will be participated by a maximum number of 60 students composed of class presidents, vice presidents and secretaries of each school.
“For people to be proactive, we need to inform them how to handle emergency situation, what to prepare and what to do during typhoons, storm surge, floods, landslides, earthquake and other disaster preparedness tips which would eventually save lives,” she stressed.
According to Ms. Tingcang, the forum will only last for two hours so as not to disrupt much of school activities.
“We will have a 30-minute video presentation after a brief program to be followed by a forum proper.”
She also emphasized that there will be no lectures; instead, students are encouraged to raise issues and concerns about the environment based from what they have observed in their locality.
“We will make the students youth advocates of the environment, as such, they will be asked how in their simple ways they can help address environmental issues,” furthered Ms. Tingcang.
The advocacy forum for the three schools will be conducted this month, as agreed by the school heads.