Climate Change in the Basic Education in Albay, Philippines

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines - In the province of Albay, students will be welcoming the new school year 2011-2012 learning about climate change.

                                                            Albay, Philippines
The concept of a warm planet may be a difficult thing to grasp for both young and adult learners. But local officials in the province assured that they have simplified the ideas with the help of teachers and scientists. They have then developed and included these ideas in the regular curricula of students in both elementary and high schools. The incorporation of climate change in the curricula in the province of Albay was already approved by the education department.

Terrel said this is in line with the Albay provincial government's climate change adaptation plan.

Albay is the only province in the Philippines that integrated climate change in school lessons.

Located some 500 kilometers southeast of Manila, the country's capital, Albay's geographical position made it a magnet to various disasters. The province sits at the typhoon belt and of the 20 typhoons that hit the country every year, five typhoons hit Albay directly. It faces the Pacific Ocean, making its coastal communities vulnerable tsunami. Albay is also home to Mayon Volcano, an active volcano that erupted 49 times in the past four centuries.

Climate change which is expected to worsen disaster impacts to this province. Local officials, private sector and residents, however, refused to remain victims of calamities and are preparing for the inevitability of a warmer planet.

Albay Governor Joey Salceda has set up the Center for Initiative and Research Center for Climate Adaptation (CIRCA) an agency that develops and implements adaptation projects which include mangrove planting, cleaning up of rivers and canals and organic farming.

Teachers in Albay are well prepared on this new curricula.

"We will also encourage students to be more involved in their community. For example, if the teacher lectured them on the effects of illegal logging, students must also participate in tree planting projects," she said.

"Albay sets a very good example to the entire Philippines I hope all provinces will also take initiatives to adap the changing climate. Strong political will is very necessary in every underataking of the province. I salute Governor Salceda for preparing its people to combat calamities that would come."

Via reuter

Integrated River Basin Management in Mindanao for Climate Change Adapation

DAVAO CITY, Philippines - With the rising threats of climate change, drought and other environmental risks, key river basin stakeholders in Mindanao are pushing for an integrated effort to protect and sustain the island’s fertile river basins and watersheds.

                                           Mindanao River Basin: Vulnerable to Climate Change

The Mindanao Development Authority, key government agencies responsible for the management of Mindanao river basins are strongly pushing for a Mindanao-wide River Basin Development Roadmap that will guide towards a coordinated and sustainable river basin rehabilitation and management in Mindanao.

“Our water resources have been at risk and therefore a collaborative effort among all stakeholders is needed to protect and conserve our headwaters,” said Luwalhati Antonino.

Mindanao has eight major river basins - the Agus river basin, Cagayan de Oro river basin, Tagoloan river basin, Agusan river basin, Mindanao river basin (Cotabato), Tagum-Libuganon river basin, Davao river basin and Buayan-Malungan river basin.

                                                             Mindanao River Basin

According to the Mindanao 2020 Peace and Development Framework, the region is endowed with rich ecosystems and dominated by fertile river basins and watersheds but these have been threatened by heavy reliance on extractive industries such as logging, fisheries and mining.

Mindanao 2020 said that watershed degradation in Mindanao has been largely due to heavy siltation, water pollution, unsustainable farming practices, and destruction of fish breeding grounds.

If not addressed, it will give rise to food security threats and hamper economic development. Mindanao’s total forest cover has also been rapidly denuded from 70% in 1900s to 23% in 1988 and down to six percent as of last year.

The island’s agri-based economy is also vulnerable to risks in rainfall change, El Niño and projected temperature increase brought abut by changes in climate.

"Sustainable development of Mindanao's river basin is very important to achieve security for its people. Climate change is already here, all we can do is to adapt to the changes"

Via Reuter