DIPOLOG CITY (MindaNews / 24 July) — The provincial government of Zamboanga del Norte and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) have signed a memorandum of agreement to involve the private sector in making the province resilient to climate change. The MOA, signed by Governor Darel Uy and Environment Secretary Raphael Lotilla, implements Project Transform (Transdisciplinary Approach for Resilience and Sustainability through Multistakeholder Engagement), a DENR initiative aimed at addressing disaster and climate risks through science, technology, and local knowledge. Project Transform seeks to improve environmental policies, enhance community resilience, and foster collaboration among the private sector, civil society, academe, and local communities. Key partners include the Department of Interior and Local Government, Aboitiz Power Group, ChildFund Philippines, and others. Despite challenges such as poverty, infrastructure deficiencies, and health issues, the project aims to tackle environmental, agricultural, and social challenges, including waste management, disaster resilience, and declining agricultural productivity. Governor Uy emphasized the importance of collaboration across sectors to address these issues effectively.
