Recognizing the Southern Luzon region’s vulnerability to natural disasters and the effects of climate change, a landmark Climate Challenge Summit was organized by the provincial government of Sorsogon and The Climate Reality Project–Philippines, which aimed to raise awareness among local communities on the importance of environmental conservation, sustainability and cleaner energy.
The event coincided with the first Geothermal Energy Day celebrated by the province, after Governor Robert Lee Rodrigueza recently signed Executive Order 001-2019 declaring every 5th of March as a special commemoration of the vital role that geothermal plays in the progress of the province.
The climate summit, held at the Sorsogon State University, guested local government officials as well as stakeholders from various sectors of society in a dialogue and learning session on geothermal energy production.
“This realization led us to a decision to not invest in coal, and to provide nothing but clean, renewable and reliable power for our future. Geothermal energy is the holy grail of renewable energy technologies. Properly managed, it can supply clean and uninterrupted power—day or night, rain or shine,” he added.
The province of Sorsogon was also awarded the Allen S. Quimpo Climate Leadership for Governance Memorial Award during the 2018 Climate Reality Leadership Awards of The Climate Reality Project–Philippines due the province’s efforts to respond to the urgency of climate change. In 2017, the province declared itself off-limits to coal power through Provincial Resolution 323-2017, citing the hazardous effects of coal to both the environment and to its residents’ health.