President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is seriously recognizing that the effects of global climate change will have an impact on Philippine society.
In her meeting with the US President Barack Obama climate change is on the top issues to be discussed. President Arroyo are seeking funding for a $120- million dollar facility to assist the IRRI and PhilRice in accelerating the field testing of "climate ready seeds" adaptable to climate change.
The Philippine economy is very dependent on Agriculture. According to the Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap "The climate change is greatly affecting our planting and harvesting schedule. We need seeds that don't need too much water and seeds that have short gestation periods". The dramatic changes in rainfall patterns has produced a new set of refugees. Population displacement is next big problem of the Philippines.
The shift in rainfall patterns and unpredictable monsoons are affecting the historically productive areas such as Central Luzon, and South Central and Eastern Mindanao in to marginal environments. Food security of the nation will be pressured.
Environment is the 3rd E in the synopsis of achievements of the current administration, the first E stand of economics. Today's trend on climate change is "adaptation" but the present administration focuses on mitigation. Either we choose to address climate change, one this is for sure it will surely hit us. Or it might be hitting us already.
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