ON Saturday, Sept. 13, Pres. Benigno Aquino III embarked on a four-country swing in Europe and will have final stop in the US.
Aside from cementing diplomatic relationships with the European countries, Aquino is expected to address issues related to security and protection of human rights.
From Sept. 20-24, the President will be in the US to promote the Philippines as a top investment destination in Asia, with “sound credentials built on the back of good governance principles; and to highlight the country’s role as an archipelagic and maritime nation.”
Upon his return, Aquino is expected to bring business pledges and agreements from European and American investors as his pasalubong. Aquino will also rendezvous with various Filipino communities in the Boston/New York area, and before he goes back to Manila from San Francisco.
Aquino’s attendance at the Climate Change Summit at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City will be the culmination of this two-week trip. Aquino will join more than 120 heads of state and governments who will attend the gathering to mainstream the climate change issue not as an environmental event, but a top priority in the international agenda. The summit will galvanize worldwide support for a comprehensive pact to mitigate climate change and its health and economic consequences.
Allies not only by common interests, but also by shared values and aspirations among its people, the Climate Change Summit is expected to set precedence for creating solution to global challenges brought about this phenomenon.
During the summit, Aquino will present a four-minute speech on how the Philippines is coping with the adverse effects of climate change. He will cite the country not as a case study for climate change, but to show the world that “we to be defined by our sufferings but we want to be defined by how well we actually recovered,” Climate Change Commission Secretary Mary Ann Lucille Sering told Inquirer.net.
“But (we would be) showing the world we are trying to do the best we can under the circumstances, (that) we are very progressive in our policies and we are trying to be a team player on the world stage to meet what science requires but obviously based on fairness and the principle of equity considering that we are not a major emitter and we need more support, essentially in technology,” Sering added.
The effects of climate change is slowly creeping in today, posing a great threat to humanity. As experts have warned, as it continues, climate change is bound to become catastrophic. Like other developing countries, the Philippines stand among the most vulnerable to its consequences. Having 70 percent of communities located in coastal areas, the country is particularly most exposed to climate change.
The manifestations of climate change in the country have brought floods, droughts, forest fires, and an increase in tropical cyclones. All these have caused damages amounting to billions of pesos.
Filipinos are not oblivious to the threats of climate change. According to a survey, seven of every 10 Filipinos acknowledge the dangers raised by climate change to the environment and their families. However, awareness is just the first step, a miniscule accomplishment compared to the bigger fight posed by climate change.
The Philippines is at the forefront of this battle against climate change. While we can’t undo the damages done, we are still capable of decelerating the rate of change and produce a desirable future for the planet altogether.
(AJPress)
