“It is important to make people understand so that they can be on board,” Climate
Change Committee chair Cong. Edgar Chatto said on the science and climate
change advocacy at the opening of the 2023 Climate Science Youth Camp of the
Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI).
Speaking before senior high schools students, as well as school and science
department heads of public schools offering Science, Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics (STEM) strand, Chatto congratulated participants as he relayed
initiatives of the country in addressing the global concern on climate change,
including the Philippines’ commitment to reduction of global warming and ongoing
discussions on a legislation on loss on damage to make greenhouse gas
contributors accountable.
Chatto also shared his love for science at a young age as then Bohol Chapter
president of the Philippine Society of Youth Science Clubs (PSYSC) and later on as
congressman serving in the national board of the PSYSC and later on employing
science-based decision making as governor with the support of a University of the
Philippines (UP) Advisory Council composed of Boholano technical experts.
“I hope that the learning and experience you gain here make a mark in your future
field of interest,” he added.
This is the first conduct of a climate science youth camp in the province with an
actual immersion and studies on marine environment and astronomy with expert
mentors and directors, according to DOST Provincial Director Vina Antopina.
Themed “New Horizons: Connecting Lines Between Sky, Sea and Society”, the 8-
day camp aims to promote oceanography and meteorology as a field of study and as
a career to strengthen the S&T human resource in the country and emphasizes the
vital roles that marine science and meteorology have in understanding climate
change and allowing participants to push environmental awareness to action in order
to create a climate-resilient community.
DepEd Bohol Superintendent Dr. Evangel Luminarias, DepEd Tagbilaran City
Superintendent Dr. Wil Bongalos and Vice Gov. Victor Balite also graced the
opening program.