By Johnny C. Nunez / Philippines News Agency
LEGAZPI CITY—Albay pushed further its popular climate- change drive in response to Pope Francis’s encyclical, “Laudato Si,” by adding five other numbers—to be sang and recited—during flag-raising ceremonies, to enhance public awareness on the urgency of global action on the climate-change phenomenon.
“Laudato Si,” or Praise Be to You, is Francis’s second encyclical. It criticizes consumerism and irresponsible development. It also exhorts the world against “environmental degradation and anthropogenic climate change.” Dated May 24, 2015, it was published by the Vatican on June 18 this year.
Following the encyclical’s publication, Albay Gov. Joey Salceda issued on June 22 a memorandum which recommends the inclusion of five new items in the program during flag-raising ceremonies in various government offices and schools in the province, to raise public consciousness on these concerns.
Salceda’s memorandum was addressed to heads of offices of the Albay provincial government, local government units, schools divisions, national government agencies and the uniformed services in the province.
It recommends praying the “Oratio Imperata” before raising the national colors, followed by the “Albay Forever Hymn,” the National Anthem and Pledge of Loyalty, the “I am an Albayano” oath, the reading of the “Climate Change Adaptation Pledge of Commitment” and the “Ten Commandments for Sustainable Development.”
Salceda said that the items, as part of the flag-raising program, will help make people aware on the “urgency of global action on climate change and environmental protection and the need for raising the consciousness of our people, based on Francis’s ‘Laudato’ Si encyclical, and in the critical climate negotiations in November in Paris.”
The Paris negotiations demand a vigorous response from countries to ensure and curtail temperature increase below 2 degrees Centigrade.
Salceda’s memorandum also suggests inviting speakers during flag-raising rites who will deliver short messages focused on love of country and community and the rule of law, CCA-DRR, and environmental protection, education and social protection. A handbook on these concerns will shortly be prepared and distributed by the Albay Provincial Education Department for the guidance of institutions in the province.
Albay’s pioneering CCA and DRR programs have earned awards from both national and international institutions, including three Gawad Kalasag Awards and a Hall of Fame niche for DRR-CCA from the National Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council.