By Mary May A. Abellon
DIPOLOG CITY – An advocacy forum on Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation spearheaded by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) kicked off yesterday, Oct. 8, at the Dipolog City National High School (DCNHS) this city.
The activity was attended by high school students consisting of officers of the Supreme Student Government (SSG) and class officers from Grade 7 to 4th year of the said school, science teachers, barangay officials, and personnel from the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources (PENRO) led by Ms. Elsie Adorable, protected area wildlife and coastal zone management specialist.
Dr. Joselito Tizon, the school principal, asked the students to listen attentively and take down notes on the lectures and information about climate change during the forum.
“We are fortunate to be chosen as the first school for this advocacy forum on climate change adaptation and mitigation conducted by PIA in partnership with the DENR,” Dr. Tizon said.
He reminded the students that anything taken up in the forum would form part of their quizzes and recitations in their science subjects.
Information Center Manager Alfonso T. Ruda of PIA-Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Information Center also told the participants that “the advocacy forum on climate change adaptation and mitigation aims to promote awareness among the youth sector and the community for them to take action on environmental issues and concerns.”
PIA-9 Assistant Regional Director Franklin P. Gumapon, on the other hand, explained to participants the importance of mitigation and adaptation to climate change, citing the experience of Tacloban City and other parts of Leyte during the onslaught of typhoon Yolanda last year.
Yesterday’s CCAC forum was the first leg of the six fora to be conducted by PIA-ZNPIC.