Filipina Champions of Resilience in 38th episode of ‘Stories for a Better Normal’ Series

MANILA, 16 March 2021 — In line with the celebration of the National Women’s Month, Filipina climate resilience leaders will gather virtually to put a spotlight on the innovative work of women in disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and in national pandemic recovery on the 38th episode of “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Change Pathways,” with the topic, “Juana Laban sa Krisis sa Klima at Pandemya: Kaya!”

The episode, hosted by three-term former Senator, now Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, will air on Thursday, 18 March 2021, 10:00 AM via Facebook Live at facebook.com/CCCPhl and facebook.com/iamlorenlegarda.

Joining the online conversation are women champions of resilience, including Atty. Lesley Jeanne Cordero, Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist of World Bank; Ms. Maricor Pauline De Guzman, a Climate Reality Leader and UN Volunteers Disaster Risk Reduction Officer of the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF); Ms. Lara Jean Salaysay, a Climate Reality Leader and Project Development Officer of the Department of Education (DepEd); and Ms. Louise Mabulo, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Young Champion of the Earth 2019.

In previous episodes, the online series featured different stories of Filipino people from various sectors and regions of the country coping up with the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic and climate crisis.

For this episode, Legarda and guests will highlight the extraordinary roles of ordinary Juanas in the society amid the COVID-19 pandemic, to inspire and empower women and girls to be champions of resilience in their own ways.

“When we empower women to ensure that they are able to adapt to climate and disaster risks and be leaders and active communicators in disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation we do not only prevent them from becoming victims of disasters, but we also allow them to be champions of resilience,” said Legarda, who is a UNISDR Global Champion of Resilience, UNFCCC National Adaptation Plan Champion, and Commissioner of the Global Commission on Adaptation.

As an online discussion to promote health, environmental consciousness, and climate-adaptive practices, “Stories for a Better Normal” aims to change the mindset of individuals, families, and communities by demonstrating ways in which a ‘better normal’ can be realized within our communities.

This online discussion is organized in partnership between the Office of Deputy Speaker Legarda and the Climate Change Commission, with support from the Philippine Commission on Women, Department of Education, Philippine Information Agency, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, The Climate Reality Project-Philippines and Mother Earth Foundation. ###