By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet

As climate change makes its presence felt in various countries, especially the Philippines, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has shifted his focus towards addressing the effects of this worrying phenomenon.

In a press briefing on Tuesday, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro shared that the President has long recognized the importance of addressing climate change and continues to study on interventions that would mitigate its impact on affected communities.

Usec. Castro explained, “Tutok po siya lalung-lalo na sa epekto po ng climate change dahil mas nakikita po natin at mas nararanasan natin ang hagupit ng puwersa ng kalikasan.”

These unprecedented severe weather events continue to disrupt lives and livelihoods, with Central Luzon and Metro Manila among the areas hardest hit by widespread flooding.

While President Marcos Jr. prioritized infrastructure, Usec. Castro noted that progress has yet to be made on certain projects and improvements that were not carried out under previous leadership at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The Malacañang official stressed, “Hindi tayo kailangan magsisihan kaya kung anuman iyong naging pagkukulang noong nakaraang namuno hindi po ito papayagan ng Pangulo.”

Wielding education as a tool in the fight vs. climate change

Meanwhile, Usec. Castro also echoed the President’s instruction to the Department of Education (DepEd) to integrate climate-change awareness into the curriculum of students to instill in them awareness about this phenomenon at an early age.

This is on top of the disaster preparedness and resilience lessons that would be taught to keep them informed of how climate change affects their communities and the environment where they live.

The Malacañang official expounded, “Sa DepEd, ituro sa mga bata, kahit sa murang edad ay makatulong na sila. Sa mga estudyante, ang role ng bawat isa ay maging handa sa epekto ng climate change—mas magiging malala ang epekto nito sa mga susunod pang taon—huwag nating paabutin sa ganoong kondisyon.”

These pronouncements by the Chief Executive underscore the government’s seriousness in championing climate resilience, tapping citizenry participation among other factors as useful assets in the quest to cope with the adverse effects of climate change.

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