Entrepreneurial Farmer by Ambrosio R. Villorente

Quimpo Attends Climate 

Reality Leadership Training

Atty. Allen S. Quimpo, Ms. Rebecca Barrios and Ms. Ellen Estores represented the Philippines to the training course “The Climate Reality Leadership Corps. The training was held in New Delhi, India on February 22-24, 2015.

Former United States Vice President and Nobel Laurente Al Gore personally handled the training which aimed to empower and train climate activists.

Of the 8000 applicants for the training, only 450 were accepted, three of them are Pilipinos. They are Attny. Allen S. Quimpo - President of Northwestern Visayas Colleges (NVC), Kalibo, Aklan and three terms Congressman of the lone District of Aklan. He is also the chairman of the Kalibo Save The Mangrove Forest.

Ms. Rebecca Barrios – Dean, Students Affairs of the NVC, a researcher and social activist.

Ms. Ellen Flores - Director of Office of Student Affairs, Adamson University, Manila. She is a member of Conserving for Tomorrow Foundation, Manila.

After their training, they will join the expanding network of climate leaders from all over the world.

The conference focused on the present climate reality and the damages climate change is bringing; what the future holds for the people and the necessary action to take; the encouraging and surprising progress in the renewable energy sector among others. Prominently discussed was India’s energy sector.

Climate Reality has eight branch offices which prominent program is Climate Reality Leadership Corps. Each climate leader must complete 10 acts of leadership within one year which include meeting with government officials about climate change, tree planting initiations, advocacy campaign and caravan.

Al Gore’s exciting presentations served as the main attraction in the training. He spent one and one half days training focused on the causes and effects of climate change, the immense possibility of the renewable sector highlighting the hope to save our planet. Al Gore also conducted three Question and Answer sessions.

At the end of his presentation, the participants to the training were given authority to present Al Gore’s version presented in the training.

Losing Ground

The Philippines is losing ground in her territorial claim of the West Philippine Sea. China’s Reclamation Project is estimated to have reached about 60 hectares in four of the Philippine claimed atolls and reefs that have changed physical features.

According to Magdalo Rep. Francisco Ashley Acedillo, Chinese reclamation and reconstruction after completion may enable China to host structures for military and other personnel as well as support naval and aircraft operations therein.

Acedillo predicted the Philippines may lost Ayungin shoal to China once China steps up air and navy patrols. In 1995, China began constructing what they called shelter for Chinese fishermen at Panganiban Reef. But after construction, China claimed ownership of the reef.

Aerial pictures of Mischief reef showed the dredging activities of China described as the most unsettling because it is only 41 kilometers from Ayungin shoal. 

Also, China had reclaimed 24 hectares on Calderon reef, 12.14 hectares on Mabini reef, 10.9 hectares on Gaven reef, and 8.09 hectares on Kennon reef. To integrate these structures together, it will appear similar to a small City.

With these Chinese built-up terretories, it can sustain naval and air patrols 24 hours a day and virtually enable China to stake their claim 80 percent of the entire disputed territory. /MP