PIA, DENR to launch climate change advocacy campaign in NCR

Much ado has been going on since the issue on climate change has surfaced as a major global threat. In the Philippines, discussions, reports, and studies on climate change have become normal consumption fare for the public especially in the wake of disasters such as super-typhoon Yolanda, typhoons Sendong and Pablo, and Manila Bay storm surge, among others, that have ravaged different parts of the country.

It is with this concern that the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) have joined efforts for a nationwide advocacy campaign on climate change adaptation and mitigation with the goal of increasing the level of consciousness of the public on climate change, its impacts on the society and the economy; and to educate them on adaptation and mitigation measures to weaken, if not stop, its negative impacts.

In the National Capital Region (NCR), a massive information and education campaign on climate change is set for implementation this year for a wider and deeper understanding of the public on this global phenomenon which was described by Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Sonny Coloma as “the new normal”, and which needs immediate action.

On August 01 (Friday), PIA-NCR, in partnership with DENR-NCR, will launch its advocacy campaign on climate change in Metro Manila. The event signals the vociferous information dissemination campaign of the said topic in NCR using various communication strategies such as print, radio, social media, puppet show, e-comics, fora and conferences, and social mobilization among others.

The launch will cover the maiden showing of PIA-produced Puppet Show on climate change which targets to educate the younger generation on the said topic using an entertaining yet informative medium. The showing is a prelude to the series of road shows that will be conducted by PIA’s Puppet Group in different public schools in Metro Manila for the climate change advocacy throughout the year.

Also to be witnessed in the launch is the screening of “Pinakbet”, a video-feature on climate change by Youtube sensation Travis Kraft. The video tackles the effects of climate change using a Filipino gustatory favorite, and will serve as a call to action particularly to target netizens.

Another activity to be conducted in the launch is the mural painting entitled “Kulayan Natin ang Pilipinas Natin” which will engage government employees as well as select elementary students in the said advocacy using the visual arts as their medium of expression. Each brush stroke shall represent a growing consciousness among the government and the youth sector on the effects of climate change and possible mitigating interventions.

Artist, environment advocate, and Dolphin Loves Freedom founder AG Saño will also give an overview on the Junk-to-Art class to the student-participants. The class’s objective is to teach students how to create treasures out of trash by recycling glass bottles and transforming them into one-of-a-kind masterpieces and fun creations.

The last part of the activity is the ceremonial tree-planting between PIA-NCR and DENR-NCR. This will signal the beginning of the massive tree-planting project to be conducted in the National Capital Region. The activity is also a prelude to this year’s “Happy Birthday, Tree!” project with the Pilipinas Natin where some 1,000 youth volunteers and government partners will be planting tree saplings in DENR-identified areas within Metro Manila. The activity is supportive of the government’s National Greening Program.

PIA-NCR Regional Director Riza J. Baldoria said that the climate change advocacy campaign in Metro Manila is a fitting and timely project between PIA and DENR as the metropolis had its share of disasters such as typhoon Ondoy, Manila Bay storm surge, and the possible movement of the West Valley Fault. “All are effects of climate change which is a repercussion of our collective human activities,” she explained.

 “With our intensive climate change advocacy campaign and assiduous carrying out of our projects, we are optimistic that residents in Metro Manila and neighboring areas will gain more awareness and understanding of this phenomenon that presently affects us and the whole world,” Baldoria said. “The climate change mitigation and adaptation measures to be disseminated to the public will greatly help curb the ill effects of climate change on our community and the economy,” she added.

The launch of Climate Change Advocacy Campaign in the National Capital Region will be held at 11 A.M at the PIA Auditorium of the PIA Central Office in Diliman, Quezon City.

The theme of this year’s campaign is “Nagbabago na ang Panahon, Panahon na Pagbabago” -- a call to action to every Filipino to change their lifestyles in order to lower their carbon footprint which contributes to climate change.