MANILA, Philippines – In the wake of substantial damage to agriculture and infrastructure from Typhoon Pedring estimated nearly P1 billion, the Climate Change Commission plans to discuss with local governments the potential economic impacts of disasters to communities.

"Climate change is not just about losing lives anymore. It has become an economic development issue," said Climate Change Commissioner Lucille Sering on ANC's "Headstart."

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the provincial government of Albay in Bicol region have teamed up to reduce and manage disaster risks in this calamity-prone province.

In simple ceremonies held recently at the DENR Office in Quezon City, Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje and Regional Director for Bicol Joselin Marcus Fragada singed a deed donating a confiscated six-wheeler Fuso truck loaded with lumber materials to the 3rd District of Albay. The donation was accepted by Albay Governor Jose Maria Clemente Salceda and Albay 3rd District Representative Fernando Gonzales.

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje today welcomed the move of the Department of Education (DepEd) to strengthen environmental education in all public and private schools nationwide.

Paje thanked Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro for "strongly supporting the government's campaign to portect and preserve the environment", adding that Luistro's issuance of DepEd Order No. 52, strengthening environmental education in all public and private schools nationwide is "indeed laudable".

It's as old as our history and we have been at it since the 1980’s –  bringing back the green luster of our forest cover, which now stands at 7 million hectares.

A far cry from the 21 million hectares of forest blanketing the country at the turn of the 20th Century.