Baguio Connections 48

LAST week, a piece by Luchie Maranan about that infamous Skyranch and how the sky is not the limit of our patience! This week, more of environmentally responsible action.

This weekend, Maryknoll Ecological Sanctuary hosts Climate Consciousness and Action Forum, which runs from 6-8 December. The three day gathering is called “to create an environment to obtain participants' commitment to take sustained collective action to address climate issues.”

To meet said objective, we are all called to participate in symposia with a veritable who's who in the collective attempt to intelligently address climate issues.

To name just Day One speakers: there is Renato Redentor Constantino, Executive Director of Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, who kicks off the forum with “Climate Change and the Paris Agreement.” He is on before National Economic Development Authority Cordillera Administrative Region Regional Director Milagros Rimando speaks of our National Climate Change Action Plan.

The afternoon of the first day is given to discussions revolving around risk reduction and management on national, regional, city, and barangay levels. At the podium to spearhead these discussions are Rev. Fr. Edwin Guariguez, Executive Secretary of National Secretariat for Social Action; Rev. Fr. Manuel Flores, Jr., who is Director of Social Action Ministry, Diocese of Baguio; Engr. Yolly Munar, Baguio's own City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer; and Yoshi Labi, La Trinidad's answer to Munar.

Days Two and Three are likewise given to a selection of talks led by authorities in the fields of climate change, health risks brought about by it and how to deal with them, the most important topic of food security, biodiversity, and nature in these days of climate change.

Day Three is capped by activities dedicated to the Maryknoll Sisters' celebration this year of three milestones. It is the 25th year of its Maryknoll Ecological Sanctuary, the 85th year of its Maryknoll Convent School (later Marishan), and the 90th year of its presence in Baguio.

The afternoon and the forum will be closed with a liturgical mass. What better way for us all to recharge our commitment to responsible environmental action to benefit ourselves, our families, our city, our country, our world/s.