Loren tells Cebu folks of devastation left by Ondoy

Senator Loren Legarda, speaking before students and the faculty of the Cebu Institute of Technology and the University of Cebu on the "Human Face of Climate Change," cited today (Oct. 1, 2009) the urgent need to "measure the impact of climate change by its social, economic, cultural and humanitarian implications."

With typhoon Ondoy leaving a trail of havoc and devastation in Metro Manila and a big part of Luzon, Loren said that the ever increasing gravity of natural calamities underscore the need for government and for all people to ensure their access to food, potable water, shelter, decent livelihood and the preservation of life itself.

"With climate change, more extreme weather events would further affect agriculture production and food security," she declared. "Crop yield potential is estimated to decline by 19% in Asia toward the end of the century and rice yield in the Philippines would decline by 75%.

Loren told her audience that Luzon faces the daunting task of getting back on its feet after being hit hard by Ondoy and in facing the challenges brought forth by a new typhoon that had already come into the Philippine area of responsbility.

She said that the declogging of esteros, canals and other waterways must proceed at full speed so as to help avert a repeat of the devastation wrought by Ondoy, which submerged many communities and necessitated the rescue of thousands of people.

The senator batted for the full implementation of the Solid Waste Management Law which, among others, called for strict waste segregation and recycling.

"Higher temperatures cause the surge of diseases such as dengue, malaria, cholera and typhoid. Communities that have been displaced by disasters will be most likely to be exposed to health threats in evacuation centers," she said."In 1998, almost 40,000 dengue cases nationwide, 1,200 cholera cases and nearly 1,000 typhoid fever cases were recorded."

Based on a recent ADB study on the economics, the Philippines stands to lose 6% of its GDP annually by 2100 if it disregards climate change risks, Loren warned.

She also highlighted the threat of rising sea levels on island nations. "In the Philippines, a mere one meter rise in sea level is estimated to submerge 129,000 hectares of land in 28 of our 80 provinces." She also mentioned the tsunami that hit the Samoa islands yesterday.

"It is clear injustice that the poorest groups bear the brunt of the impacts of climate change," Loren said. Ninety-nine percent of the casualties of climate change occur in developing countries but 50 percent of the world's least developed nations account for less than one percent of greenhouse emissions, which is the main culprit of global warming.

"Industrialized countries must compensate for this inequality, commit deep cuts in their greenhouse emissions and support adaptation work in vulnerable nations," she stressed.

In the Philippines, there is much to be done to address the climate crisis, Loren stressed.

First, governance must be strengthened in urban centers. Secondly, the ecosystem must be preserved, including forests, rivers and atmosphere. And thirdly, enhance rural livelihoods which 75% of the poor depend on for their subsistence.

"As I always articulate, there is no more fitting time to say that reducing disaster and climate risk has become a moral imperative for governments and a social responsibility for all than now --- when having less in life means losing life," she stressed.

Loren said that the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change, which she chairs, will hold a public hearing on the "Ondoy" disaster on Monday to learn vital lessons from the catastrophe to mitigate similar disasters in the future.