Town holds symposia on climate change

MAASIM, Sarangani (September 12, 2009) – The municipal government held a symposium on “Understanding Climate Change” here Friday (September 11) with an environment expert from the academe.

Dr. Florencia Pulhin, a forestry expert from the University of the Philippines-Los Baños, discussed in the symposium the current issues on climate change. She emphasized on the adaptation and mitigating measures on carbon emissions due to natural and human induced causes.

“It all depends on the technology,” Pulhin said. “We conduct symposia everywhere because we really see the need for awareness in the community. There is a very low level of awareness on environmental issues especially in the provinces.”

People’s organizations, youth, the tribal sector and church leaders attended the symposium.

A 200-megawatt coal-fired power plant in barangay Kamanga will soon be built by Conal Holdings Corporation. Recently, the corporation has secured its Environmental Compliance Certificate from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Environmental Management Bureau.

Pulhin urged the community to participate in a carbon offset project with the company.

“According to study, 67% of the cause of climate change or enhanced greenhouse effect is caused by deforestation,” Pulhin said.

According to project manager Gregorio Gonzales, the SM-200 Project will use a state-of-the-art technology.

Conal Holdings will have a 7,500-hectare land area as a reforestation project where the corporation will provide seedlings for the community and buy or help them market their products.

“Sugot mi ana (We agree)” said Dula Masana, a Blaan villager of Sinalang.

At the same time, tribal leaders, students and members of cooperatives signed a manifesto of support for the power plant project.

Mayor Aniceto Lopez, Jr. urged his constituents to do backyard gardening as a support for the carbon offset project.

“Ang paglambo ug ang proteksyon sa kinaiyahan magkauban (Development and environmental protection go hand in hand),” Lopez said.

Assurance project officer Ed Cejar said 500 hectares of Conal’s reforestation project will be used as a learning center for the community to learn more on agro-forestry and putting up a business.

Ways to help minimize greenhouse gasses are just in our hands, according to Pulhin.

“Our response to climate change could come from simple ways like waste segregation and recycling, walking instead of taking a ride for short-distance destinations, no burning of wastes and garbage, saving electricity and water, minimizing waste of food,” Pulhin said.

In schools, Pulhin advised students to use both sides of the paper to save trees.

“Carbon sink projects are needed through adaptation policies and mitigating measures because we are a developing country,” Pulhin added. (Russtum G. Pelima/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)