Thursday, April 23, 2009

Visayas summit on climate change slated in Cebu City on May 11-12

TACLOBAN CITY — With the growing concern on the negative impact of abnormal climate change, government officials, the private sector and farmer’s groups from Region 8 will take part in the upcoming One Visayas Summit on Climate Change that will tackle pressing environmental issues.

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) regional director Buenaventura Go-Soco said that the Regional Development Council (RDC) here has been preparing for this event spearheaded by the three RDCs in the Visayas, which is slated on May 11 to 12 in Cebu City.

“Eastern Visayas is the coordinator of this event. This is part of achieving awareness affecting climate change and their ill effects on the environment and on people so that we can have mitigating measure and prevent this from further occurring,” Go-Soco told Leyte Samar Daily Express.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is expected to grace the occasion. It will be participated in by national government agencies, local government units and the private sector, farmer’s organization, and industries.

“It is expected that unless we do positive action, the ill effects of climate change will affect our food production,” Go-Soco said.

It can be recalled that last year, officials of the RDCs of Regions 6, 7 and 8 decided to establish the One Visayas after agreeing that it is time Visayans acknowledge the cultural bond that connects the islands, despite being separated by seawaters.

The three regional development chairpersons, Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia of RDC 7; Antique Governor Salvacion Perez of RDC 6, and Calbayog City Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento of RDC 8 have planned two projects, the Arts Festival and a summit for climate change.

The Arts Festival was held last March 1 to 8 this year at the Cebu International Convention Center.

Events were slated in Cebu being the center among the major island grouping in the Philippines. (LSDE / Sarwell Q. Meniano)

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