Senate committee on climate change summons government officials

MANILA, Philippines -The Senate committee on climate change summoned Cabinet secretaries, Metro Manila mayors and governors and other government officials to a hearing on the massive problems brought by tropical storm “Ondoy.”

Sen. Loren Legarda, chairperson of the committee, said she expects to be criticized, especially by the administration, for calling a hearing now that authorities are still busy with relief and rehabilitation efforts in areas ravaged by Ondoy.

However, she said questions must be asked and the readiness of the country to face ever-worsening natural disasters must be assessed.

“I expect to draw the ire of the administration over this hearing, but the soonest the answers are given, the faster can measures be put into effect to minimize the effects of the next disaster which, no thanks to climate change and global warming, is sadly just around the corner,” Legarda said.

Among those invited to the hearing were United Nations resident coordinator Jaclyn Badcock, Defense Secretary and National Disaster Coordinating Council chairman Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Office of the Civil Defense chief Gen. Glenn Rabonza, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) official Prisco Nilo and Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando.

Also expected to attend the hearing are Environment Secretary Lito Atienza, Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., Health Secretary Francisco Duque, Education Secretary Jesli Lapus, Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral, Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr., and Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes.