• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Environmental advocates and other concerned groups will gather at the Pope John Paul Tower in Bacolod City Nov. 15 for a special candle-lighting ceremony and prayer circle at around 6 p.m., as part of the Global Day of Action for Climate.
The event, initiated by the Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED), in collaboration with Caritas Bacolod Social Action Foundation Inc., is in commemoration of the 11th anniversary of super typhoon Yolanda and the recent devastations wrought by typhoons Carina, Kristine, Leon, Marce, and Nika.
“Only stronger together, let us be a part of the nationwide call for the rapid phaseout of fossil fuel industries that continuously put our communities and Common Home in danger,” the CEED said in a statement.
CEED Visayas coordinator Griderick Alila, who is one of the speakers during the event, said this is “part of a broader nationwide initiative taking place across the Philippines, aimed at advocating for climate resilience and a just transition to renewable energy.”
The event, which seeks to amplify the voices of communities affected by climate disasters and will call for immediate action from national and global leaders, is expected to be attended by Fr. Julius Espinosa, DSAC director of Caritas Bacolod, and representatives from CEED, the Youth for Climate Hope Philippines, Negrosanon Young Leaders Inc., and Negrosanon Initiative for Climate and the Environment, among others.
Super typhoon Yolanda, which made its first landfall in Eastern Samar Nov. 8, 2013 is considered as one of the world’s deadliest typhoons, claiming more than 6,000 lives, mostly in the Eastern Visayas region, injuring thousands more, and causing billions of pesos in infrastructure and agricultural damage. | CGC
