Mayor approves creation of task force on climate change
(Source: SunStar Davao, October 16, 2009/ Jade C. Zaldivar)
DAVAO City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte approved the creation of the city’s task force on climate change.
Signed on July 28 but released only on October 14, Executive Order 23, an order creating and constituting the Davao City Task Force on Climate Change (DCTFCC), mandates key officials to formulate the city-wide plan for climate change and perform functions in accordance to such.
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The functions and purpose of the DCTFCC are the following:
* to oversee, coordinate, facilitate the preparation, implementation, and evaluation of a Summit on Climate Change;
* to conduct rapid assessments on the impact of climate change in the city and to formulate, prepare the Climate Change Plan that would address the situation;
* to recommend measures that would enhance cooperative efforts and mutual assistance among stakeholders that would mitigate the impact of climate change in the city;
* to serve as a repository of all reports, documents, technical papers, and other relevant data and information generated by it;
* to submit monthly reports on its observations and recommendations to the City Mayor;
* to call on any and all national and local government agencies and offices as well as business, non-government and people’s organizations including socio civic clubs to actively involvein any and/or all activities of the Task Force; and
* to exercise all the powers and performs such other functions necessary to attain the purposes and objectives of EO 23.
Duterte, as the City Mayor, or his authorized representative will chair the task force.
DCTFCC vice chair would be committee on environment and natural resources chair Councilor Leonardo Avila III.
DCTFCC members are representatives from the City Planning and Development Office, City Environment and Natural Resources Office, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Energy (DOE), Liga ng mga Barangay, and Kinaiyahan Foundation Inc.
Meanwhile, DCTFCC’s operation will be funded by the city after it prepares and submits for approval to the City Mayor its foreseen budget for its maintenance, honoraria, and other expenses incurred in the discharge of its functions.
DCTFCC’s creation is grounded on: Sections 15 and 16 of Article 11 of the 1987 Constitution declares that the State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness, and the State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.
The United Nations’ International Panel for Climate Change (UN-IPCC) reported that climate change will likely result to rising global mean sea level, widespread changes in precipitation amounts, ocean salinity, wind patterns and aspects of extreme weather including drought, heacy precipitation, heat wave and intensity of typhoons.
Republic Act 7160, Local Government Code of 1991 states the responsibility of managing the environment has been devolved to the local government units.
Memorandum Circular No. 2008-69, dated April 28, 2009 issued by the Secretary of Department of Interior and Local Government, all chief executives are encouraged to mainstream climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction measures into local policies, plans, budgets and investment programs as a priority concern.
Finally, this concern on climate change is consistent with the policy of the local government of this city in upholding the rights of every individual, that there is a need to strengthen local mechanisms for the protection of its people from adversities caused by natural hazards.
