It is not only in national affairs that these Romblomanons make our province proud. When the world needs people to share their lives and expertise, we always witness their selfless dedication.
Environment advocate Rodne Galicha and earth scientist Renato Solidum met in the sidelines of the 28th Conference of Parties (COP8) of the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) happening in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), from November 30 to December 12, 2023. Joining the ranks is animal rights and climate advocate Vicente Cajilig, Jr.
Rodne Galicha who hails from San Fernando, Sibuyan Island, is currently executive director of Living Laudato Si’ Philippines and National Convener of Aksyon Klima Pilipinas, the country’s largest climate network of 65 civil society, sectoral, and indigenous and local communities (IPLCs) organizations and formations. He also represents Bayay Sibuyanon Inc., the first Filipino local community-based organization accredited by the UNFCCC.
Galicha has been participating in the climate talks either as technical adviser to the Philippine government delegation or as civil society observer since COP21 in Paris, France. For the last three climate talks, he has been facilitating and coordinating Filipino delegates from Philippine non-government organizations to ensure that the voices of communities are heard by the Philippine government delegation and in other platforms.
Renato Solidum from Odiongan, Tablas Island, leads the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). He also served as Director of Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS). As member of the Philppine delegation to COP28, he showcased disaster mitigation initiatives and Filipino innovation to address climate change. He believed that through science and technology innovations, resilience can be attained, and that “Filipinos can come out as disaster victors, not disaster victim”.
The two, in a very short informal meet, agreed to work together collaboratively for the country and especially for their home province of Romblon.
Vicente Cajilig, Jr., who serves as member of Aksyon Klima Pilipinas secretariat, offers logistical and technical support to the Philippine civil society delegates and the Asia Climate Change Consortium (ACCC). He has also participated at COP23 in Bonn, Germany, and COP27 in Shaem el-Sheikh, Egypt.
