The College of Public Affairs and Development (CPAf) organized a webinar to help local government units (LGUs) respond to climate change and disasters.

The activity was entitled “Ensuring effective governance through Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Planning and Enhanced Local Climate Change Adaptation (DRRM-LCCAP).” It was held via live conferencing on June 9.

Chancellor Jose V. Camacho Jr. gave the opening remarks and recognized the role of CPAf in helping LGUs implement strategies for disaster risk reduction and adapt to the effects of climate change in their local vicinity.

Kelvin John H. Reyes, chief of the Plans and Programs Section of the Office of Civil Defence (OCD)-CALABARZON, explained the OCD’s role in disaster risk reduction management as the implementing arm of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. He also discussed the Local DRRM Planning Cycle.

Danielle Marie D. Torralba, information officer of the Strategic Partnership Division under the Climate Change Commission, discussed the local and global frameworks for responding to climate change. She explained that despite having local systems in place, there still needs to be global concerted efforts to address the wide-scale effects of climate change.               

Jimwel Honrejas of the Planning and Technical Services Division of the Makati Department of Environmental Services reported about Makati’s initiatives for climate action.      

Liza Velle B. Ramos, head of the Research and Planning Division of the Makati City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, laid out Makati’s harmonized disaster management plan. A recording of the webinar is available on the UPLB CPAf Facebook Page. (Kristel Hope Villafuerte)