By JACKY LYNNE A. OIGA
Mt. Guiting Guiting in Sibuyan Island (romblonworld.com)
MANILA, Philippines — In time for the global celebration of Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness Week, the ever optimistic Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. said that in spite of the looming threats of climate change, Filipinos should look at this global issue with a brighter perspective.
“The Philippines accounts for less than one percent of all the pollution in the world. We must not feel bad about these things. Ninety-nine percent of the environmental changes that we see today were caused by other nations. Unfortunately, it affects all of us,” said Jimenez during a talk at the 5th PHILTOA General Membership Meeting at Club Balai Isabel, Batangas.
As climate change threatens to wreak havoc on the world’s weather patterns, the tourism industry finds itself in the eye of the storm since the waters, marine diversity and the yearlong tropical weather are some of the competitive advantages of the Philippines as a travel destination.
Likewise, the threat of climate change to the country’s tourism potential can be addressed if local government units, tourism private sectors and tourists themselves make a concerted effort towards climate change awareness.
“Hotels, resorts and other tourism related establishments can help minimize the threats of climate change by reducing carbon emissions and looking for alternative energy resources,” said Secretary Elisea Gozun, Presidential Assistant II for Climate Change from the Office of the President.
According to Gozun, these establishments could use renewable energy sources such as wind and geothermal energy instead of carbon-emitting fossil fuels. Implementing new environment-friendly processes for garbage disposal and water maintenance are also a big help.
On the other hand, Jimenez underlined that regardless of these environmental issues, the world has not seen even 10 percent of what quite possibly is one of the most beautiful countries in the world.
“My responsibility as tourism chief is to continue to make you feel great about this country in spite of the problems we come to,” he added. “Tourism is love of country expressed as a warm welcome – rain or shine.”
On an even brighter note, Jimenez proudly reported that the government has placed a temporary restraining order on mining in Sibuyan Island, Romblon, one of the world’s densest and most diverse forests. It is also one of the most significant areas of endemicity in the world; 33 percent of the plants and animals found in the island are not found anywhere else on earth.
“Now what will we do with Sibuyan Island? Will we build a resort? Will we build a helipad or a circumferential road? Our special problem with tourism is we have to both sell and preserve. We have to come together now because we have to protect it but at the same time let the world see it, while it is still there,” Jimenez said.
Jimenez added that salesmanship plays a significant role in preserving the environment. Tourism sectors cannot raise their incomes without strengthening and building the resources to save something they greatly rely on – the environment.
“If you project yourself in the future and imagine that tourism will profit you nearly 25 percent of all incomes of the country in less than 10 years, then you can imagine how much your industry will contribute to the improvement of the ecology,” Jimenez further explained.
Jimenez added: “An island is a thousand times more sensitive to ecological abuse than a whole continent. The Philippines has 7,107 islands; some of them are the size of a small room. If a single person commits an environmental crime on one small island it will destroy the entire island, that’s why we should be more sensitive in protecting the ecosystem and more vigilant in addressing climate change.”
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