Oro chosen for climate change project

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/local-news/2016/11/27/oro-chosen-climate-change-project-511968
• Sunday, November 27, 2016

(PFO)

THE city of Cagayan de Oro has been chosen as one of the "target areas" for a project which aims to contribute to increasing climate change resilience and mitigation in the Philippines.

The project, sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is called B-Leaders project, which stands for "Building Low Emission Alternatives to Develop Economic Resilience and Sustainability."

Mayor Oscar Moreno welcomed a team of USAID personnel last week to discuss and come up with plans and policies which will promote renewable energy in transport, power, and land sectors.

Moreno welcomed the development saying it is a new challenge for the city of Cagayan de Oro.

In its website, the USAID said the country is one of the 16 countries worldwide considered 'extremely vulnerable' to climate change, with 20 typhoons, in average, hit the country causing loss of lives and economic destruction.

Cagayan de Oro, considered a river basin, is one of the cities which is most vulnerable to severe flooding.

The B-Leaders project aims to help local government units and the whole country, respond to disaster challenges by assisting in planning, designing, and implementing particularly Emission Development Strategies (LEDS).

According to USAID, they will provide training and workshops to both national and local government officials.

Batangas, Iloilo, Zamboanga, and Tagbilaran, are also among the cities chosen by USAID as target areas.