RP's first Climate Change Academy launched

MANILA, Philippines - Local governments can expect better resiliency and protection against natural disasters with the establishment of its first-ever Climate Change Academy, which was launched recently at the LGU Summit +3i Luzon Convention of the League of Provinces of the Philippines in Legazpi City. According to Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, the academy will be a repository of knowledge and expertise on local adaptation practices and venue for the propagation of best practices.

 The Academy’s academic partners are the University of the Philippines in Los Baños and the Bicol University where the academy will be housed.

 Salceda said the conference has assured local government commitment to developing the resilience of their localities and their capability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change, using the precautionary principle.  He added that he would pursue partnerships with academic institutions, international development agencies, UN oganizations in the country and relevant government agencies.

 Other partners in the undertaking are the Center for Initiatives and Research on Climate Adaption, the Philippine Network of Environmental Journalists (PNEJ) and the Publishers Association of the Philippines Inc. (PAPI).

 Albay has been in the forefront of the United Nations climate change adaptation initiatives and disaster risk reduction (DRR) and was named Global Model at a UN Forum in Shanghai last July. Salceda was named Senior Global Champion in the same gathering, and has been lecturing on DRR in Korea, Mexico and other UN-sponsored forums.