by Mark A. Cervantes

Iligan City, Lanao del Norte (22 October) -- The City Council of Iligan City supports the "October 24th International Day of Climate Action" and the "Historical Journey 2: Lawig Handuraw" of EcoWEB, Inc to be held on November 26-27.

The International Day of Climate Action will be held at MSU-IIT, Iligan City.

Members of Iligan climaX (Climate Action Alliance) represented by Ma. Anita Sescon of the Mindanao Commission on Women, Mark Cervantes and Emedina Juevesano of EcoWEB, Inc, Laura Engel of DED-GTZ and Jun Tenorio of Civil Society Organization-Forum for Peace, appeared before the members of the Iligan City Council recently, upon request of Councilor Chonilo Ruiz, Chair of the Committee on Environment.

Mark Cervantes presented a brief rationale about the October 24 International Day of Climate Action and the significance of the 350 number.

He stressed that the event on October 24 is in solidarity with 350.org to call upon the United Nations to put stricter terms on the Kyoto Protocol in greenhouse gas emissions during their COP15 meeting in Copenhagen this coming December.

He also laid down the series of events on October 24.

Anita Sescon stressed that change has to begin from oneself and the October 24 event will try to make it happen.

The group prepared the Thoughts and Acts for Mother Earth or TAME as a commitment of the Iliganon in response to climate change.

Laura Engel also presented an equally important issue in Lanao del Norte which is armed conflict and peace.

She gave an overview about the "Historical Journey 2: Lawig Handuraw" which will kick off November 26-27. She is also active in connecting climate change issues to conflict.

Councilor Orlando Maglinao raised that the major culprit of greenhouse gas emissions in Iligan City are the industries. He then asked if the group also invited the industries to take part in the event.

In response, Cervantes stressed that October 24 is just the start of a longer engagement and involvement of Iligan on climate change.

He then urged the city council to consider passing an ordinance on climate change with clear mitigation and adaptation mechanisms since Iligan City is vulnerable to flood.

Councilor Chonilo Ruiz asserted that the city government has an existing Solid Waste and Management Act and now finishing its Environment Code. The suggested Climate Change Ordinance would be very timely to reinforce the policy initiatives.

Councilor Olvera raised that one of the major culprit of carbon emissions is the automotive industry and asked if the event on October 24th also address this concern.

Cervantes replied that a "no emissions parade" will be held in the morning of October 24. That is why climate change mitigation is also a change in lifestyle. It encourages people to take a hike or bike if they will be going somewhere near.

Cervantes also shared that its partner NGO, the Kalimudan Foundation, Inc. based in Marawi City will be having a simultaneous event wherein on October 24, all the vehicles will stop for 1 hour to reduce carbon emissions.

In support to the event, the city council has passed a resolution requesting all 44 barangays in Iligan City and the Sanggunian Kabataan to participate in the event.

As way forward, the city council might consider crafting a Climate Change Ordinance with clear mitigation and adaptation mechanisms like disaster risk reduction (DRR).