By Gideon C. Corgue
IMELDA, Zamboanga Sibugay – The advocacy forum on climate change mitigation and adaptation jointly conducted by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA-9) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR9) this year has gained support from high school students in public schools.
The forum, which aims to generate awareness among students on the adverse effects of climate change on the communities, has been conducted in various public secondary schools in the region starting August this year.
James Lavilla, senior high school student of Imelda National High School and president of “I Am A Climate Change Youth Resilient”- Imelda chapter said he was grateful that PIA and DENR had chosen their school to be one of the pilot areas for the advocacy forum.
“We have learned a lot during the forum especially after the 30-minute climate change video presentation on natural disasters that are happening today and the scientific explanation by climate experts on the weather phenomena,” Lavilla said.
Lavilla realized that the students could contribute to climate change mitigation by informing the people in their respective communities on the things they must do during disasters to save lives and properties.
“We will encourage the people to help reduce the impact of climate change through proper waste/garbage disposal and others,” Lavilla added.
“I Am A Climate Change Youth Resilient” Vice President Reighron Soledad said the forum had taught them to be ready in times of emergencies.
Soledad said the climate change experts in the video presentation had not only provided them with the knowledge on the causes and effects of climate change but also recommended mitigation and adaptation measures.
“We are now ready to respond,” said Soledad, as they are now equipped with the necessary knowledge in responding to natural disasters.
“With the newly formed group, we can assure the government of our help by informing the concerned national government agencies and local government units, and post pictures on the wall of “I Am A Climate Change Youth Resilient” facebook in the event that natural disasters will strike in our respective communities,” Soledad added.
The said forum was already conducted in the following schools, namely, Alicia National High School in Alicia town, Buug National High School in Buug municipality, and Imelda National High School in Imelda town all in Zamboanga Sibugay.
Climate change fora were also conducted in Bayog National High School in Bayog town, Tukuran Technical Vocational School in Tukuran, and Molave Vocational Technical School, Molave all in the province of Zamboanga del Sur.
Meanwhile, climate change fora in the province of Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga City are still going on.
