Despite the rains from Typhoon Nesat picking up across the country — the same rains that have killed dozens and left the capital of Manila severely flooded — folks in Rosario, 500 of them, were determined to get out in the streets for Moving Planet. And in the little time they had before total downpour they managed this beautiful photo:

Full press release by Mark Cervantes:

ROSARIO, CAVITE

Amidst signs of an early morning downpour, around 500 people from all walks of life still converged in-front of the Municipal Hall of Rosario, Cavite to join the 2011 Moving Planet climate action.

Municipal and barangay government officials and personnel together with various schools and civic organizations went to the streets on foot and on their bikes to show their solidarity to the global call to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 350 parts per
million (ppm) to mitigate the impacts of global warming and climate change.

Before reaching La Isla Bonita de Salinas beach where the Moving Planet and 350 human formation will be conducted, the participants walked and bike for about 2 kilometers carrying paper windmills, 350 banners, and climate posters while others
shouted some chants about climate change.

Upon reaching the beach, a wave of people in different colors signifies that climate action is everyone’s moral responsibility and concern regardless of creed, religion and social status.

Michael Giongco, head of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) of Rosario, in his speech, asserts that everyone just walked and used their bikes in going to the beach as a manifestation of the simple action to reduce
everyone’s carbon footprint. He added that the Municipality of Rosario, together with the rest of the world supports the global call to reduce GhG to 350ppm to mitigate climate change. He also hopes that the said event will be start of a long term commitment of everyone to act on climate change.

Mayor Jose Ricrafente, in his solidarity message congratulates the people of Rosario for the successful Moving Planet event. He said that climate action also means putting significance in protecting the environment which is of vital importance to the survival of the people of Rosario. He shared that the very beach where the Moving Planet and 350 human formation was held is a living testimony of the commitment of his leadership in environmental protection. He further shared that the local government unit has poured a lot of effort to put an end to illegal fishing activities in the coastal areas of Rosario.

The 2011 Moving Planet was then read by Ms. Janah Araracap, SK Chair of Barangay Silangan 1. She expressed that climate change is bringing permanent changes to our lives that the immediate effects that worsen natural hazard events must be managed with proper preparedness and response. She added that the more permanent changes require more massive actions, not just from government, but from all sectors in society; including all of us. The declaration also appeals to the people of Rosario and the world to change “lifestyle” as a simple solution to mitigate climate change. Ms. Araracap mentioned simple actions such as change of consumerist lifestyle, reduction or zero use of plastics, promote the practice of walking and biking as mode of transportation, switch off and unplug of electrical devices, and others. She also highlights that the people of Rosario supports the current Community Managed Disaster Risk Reduction (CMDRR) and Climate Change Adaptation project that is being implemented in Rosario, Cavite that is spearheaded by the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) and funded by the United Methodist Committee On Relief (UMCOR). Finally, the declaration emphasized on the basic rights of the people to a healthy environment and free from disasters brought about by climate change.

The finale of the event was the 350 human formation wherein Mark Cervantes of IIRR gave a quick background on the significance of 350 number in climate change issue.

The Moving Planet 2011 event in Rosario was participated by the following organization, schools and individual: Municipal Local Government of Rosario, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Cavite State University, Sapa
National High School, Bagbag National High School, Bayan Muna, Nagkakaisang Kabataan sa Rosario, Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary Divers, Seaborne, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire, Rosario Radio Group, Barangay Health Workers,
Rosario Bikers Association, Lingkod Bayan, Association of Barangay Captains.

Staff and family members of IIRR and volunteers of the United Committee On Relief (UMCOR) also joined the event wherein UMCOR provided free brewed coffee to the participants.