Under the Climate Change Act of 2009 (amended by RA 10174) the local government units (LGUs) play a vital role in combating climate change. The creation and implementation of Local Climate Change Action Plans (LCCAPs) are essential in integrating climate strategies into local development plans, ensuring alignment with the National Framework Strategy on Climate Change (NFSCC) and the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP). These plans are critical for enhancing community resilience and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Two trained faculty members in this field -Ms. Leah E. Perez, the LU – COEd BSEd Program Chair, and Ms. Joselle A. Banocnoc, the Acting Dean of the College of Computing Studies of Laguna University (LU), were invited by the Laguna Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Office (LCCAMO), under the leadership of Governor Sol Aragones, to serve as resource speakers for the Enhanced Local Climate Change Action Plan (eLCCAP) and Greenhouse Gas Inventory (GHGI) of the Local Government Unit of Kalayaan, Laguna.
The training and workshop lasted for 4 momentous days, which began on September 30 and concluded on October 3, 2025 at the Queen Margareth Hotel in Domoit, Lucena City, Quezon. Throughout the 4-day program, both Ms. Perez and Ms. Banocnoc together with Mr. Zaldy Ybardolaza of LCCAMO shared their invaluable knowledge and background in greenhouse gas inventory, how to gather data, computation through the use of the GHGI quantification sheet and use these results to formulate the LGU’s eLCCAP. Ms. Perez, as a Science educator as well, made sure that the members of Kalayaan LGU are well aware of what really climate change is and how one should address it. On another point, Ms. Banocnoc, former Director of the LU – Community Extension and Services Unit, reiterated and shared insights about adaptation and mitigation and how the community is impacted and how those inside the community can help reduce the drastic effects of Climate Change. Upon these discussions, activities and training, the Kalayaan LGU through its Local Chief Executive, Mayor Sandy Lagapanan, thanked LU and gave gratitude for the time and efforts of Ms. Perez and Ms. Banocnoc who worked together to ensure that the LGU will be guided accordingly in crafting their Action Plan in the goal of achieving a sustainable environmental future.
By: Rydelle A. Vallejo
