Guiuan, Eastern Samar ─ “Pinaagi han amon tinalagudti na buhat, mabulig kami paghatag hin aksyon ha mga isyu parti han climate change, para han kinabubuwason han amun pamilya ngan bug- os na komunidad (In our own little ways, we will help take action on the issues on climate change, for the future of our family and the entire community),” said Grace Rapada, 40 years old, one of the parent leaders of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, during the recent state visit of French Republic President François Hollande in the said municipality.
President Hollande and his party, together with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon Juliano Soliman, toured around Guiuan, particularly the municipal hall, church, and the Guiuan East Central School, to share solidarity with the people and intensify advocacy on climate change action.
“I came here all the way to your place to show to the entire world what a disaster you suffered, the mobilization of the international community, and to show them how brave, strong, and resilient you are,” President Hollande said.
Experts believe that the occurrence of super typhoon Yolanda, which caused massive devastation and affected more than a million families in the Philippines, was due to climate change.
The President of France also stressed the need for stronger, more responsible and sustainable environmental programs.
Rapada, a Yolanda survivor, shared that during the conduct of Pantawid Pamilya’s Family Development Sessions (FDS), climate change and its impact is also being tackled aside from disaster preparedness. She encouraged her fellow beneficiaries and the public to help fight the negative impact of climate change by taking care of the environment through proper disposal of garbage; stopping illegal logging, fishing, and even mining.
“Magburubligay kita paglimpyo ngan pananum, ngan biskan hino ka man o hain ka man naukoy, kinahanglanon masunod kita han mando han gobyerno kay para man iton hit aton ikauupay (Let us help each other in cleaning and planting; and whoever you are, from wherever you are, we should follow the government’s direction because it’s for our sake),” Rapada added.
Another Pantawid Pamilya beneficiary named Letecia Salameda, 45, who also pledged to support call to action on climate change said, “Masosolusyunan an problema ha climate change pinaagi han pagbabag-o ngan pagiging sayud naton tanan nga dapat timangnuon an kalibotan (We can solve the problem on climate change by creating change and understanding that we have to take care of the earth).”
Salameda added with enthusiasm, “Akus naton an pagbabag-o kay tanan man in nagbuburubligay (We can create change since everyone is working together).”
In closing, President Hollande told the crowd composed mostly of Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries that, “You’re giving us courage, hope.”
He added that what they have seen in the Yolanda-affected areas will shed light to the climate change deal they will be concluding during the Climate Conference in Paris this December. To be attended by the international community, the intention is to preserve mother earth as a livable place for future generations.
On the other hand, Guiuan Mayor Christopher Gonzales expressed his gratitude to all for such a momentous day in their place and proceeded with echoing the Manila Call for Action to fight climate change. “All stakeholders, local government units, business or private sectors, civil society organizations, non-government organizations, academes, all citizens should play their full roles in tackling climate change notably its impact and reducing risks of climate-related disasters.”