On World Humanitarian Day (WHD), Aug. 19, 2021, Cong. Edgar Chatto highlighted legislative work and Bohol model in addressing environmental and climate change emergency.
Chatto said putting the limelight on the immediate human cost of the climate crisis in the annual United Nations (UN) global observance is timely considering that climate emergency is happening right now.
Chatto mentioned this in a message delivered through a webinar organized by Earthsavers-United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Artist for Peace and the International Theatre Institute-Social Change Network (ITI-SCN) and its Philippine Center headed by Director Cecile Guidote-Alvarez.
Chatto emphasized the declaration of an environmental and climate emergency through House Resolution 123 adopted in Congress is timely and will help address the issues of climate crisis.
He also stressed that a whole-of-nation approach to the climate crisis is important. This can be done through various collaborative meetings among the national government agencies, local government units (LGU) and civil society organizations. The meetings aim to come up with a clear environmental and climate emergency plan to address the climate crisis.
In Congress, the House Committee on Climate Change is taking a head look at several proposed legislations relatedto climate crisis such as the Low Emissions and Climate-Resilient Development Act, the Enhancing Climate Change Resiliency and Adaptability, Integrated Coastal Management and the National Coastal Greenbelt Program.
Chatto also shared Bohol initiatives for the environment including the Anti-Coal Ordinance, the Bohol Energy Development and Advisory Group, the revised Bohol Environment Code, and Bohol Organic Agriculture Act.
He also shared information on multi stakeholder collaborations in vital initiatives for the environmental protection, such as the Alburquerque Sanitary Landfill, and the country’s first modern green airport via the Bohol Panglao International Airport.
With the cooperation of the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affair (OCHA), the virtual program also featured messages from UN Secretary General Antonio Gutierrez, OCHA Head Gustavo Gonzalez, Senator Richard Gordon, Secretary Martin Andanar, Ike Seneres; and Convenor of Call for Life and Law of Sea Joey Lina.
In 2009, the UN General Assembly formalized the observance of WHD in memory of the Aug. 19, 2003 bomb attack on the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq, killing 22 people, including the chief humanitarian in Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello.
Each year, WHD focuses on a theme, bringing together partners from across the humanitarian system to advocate for the survival, well-being and dignity of people affected by crises, and for the safety and security of aid workers.