August 12, 2024 | UCLG ASPAC Secretariat welcomed Governor Dakila Carlo E. Cua, also known as Governor Dax, President of UCLG ASPAC, for a brief yet insightful visit. In his dual capacity as Governor of Quirino Province, and President of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), Gov. Dax engaged with the Secretariat team, commending their ongoing efforts and sharing his insights during an interview.
Reflections on the UCLG ASPAC Presidency
Gov. Dav expressed deep appreciation for the organisation’s members and their collaborative spirit. “The inspiration comes from the people I meet at UCLG ASPAC,” he stated. “Leaders like our Secretary General, other mayors, and local leaders share a common passion to make their small part of the world a little better.”
He also acknowledged challenges that may come with UCLG ASPAC’s mission in amplifying the voices of local leaders and strengthen local governance, pointing out that those closest to the ground such as local governments are most in tune with local needs and can draw the most effective solutions from communities. “The challenge is in amplifying the voice of these local leaders,” he explained. “World leaders, national leaders, and heads of state usually have good aspirations for the people they serve. But success in achieving these goals will require collaboration with local leaders.”
He also stressed the importance of clear communication and vision in leadership as according to Gov. Dax, an effective leader must convey their dreams and aspirations in a way that resonate with communities. That way, they will be motivated to take action.
Climate Action: A Shared Responsibility
On climate action, Gov. Dax highlighted the importance of a united approach to tackling climate change. “This is a battle we cannot afford to lose,” he asserted.
He called for an equitable approach to climate action, particularly in considering the disproportionate impact of climate change on developing nations by indicating how industrialised nations are more responsible for environmental damages and gain more economic benefits, with developing nations often bearing the weight of the consequences.
Therefore, addressing climate change needs not only environmental solutions but also economic ones, thus keeping social justice in mind. “How could we expect a poor, rural community to protect their environment when they don’t have enough resources to feed their children?” he questioned. To that, he feels that dialogue and collaboration can create fair and effective strategies. “The carbon efforts and the COP conferences are significant first steps, but I hope they progress into more socially just mechanisms to help developing nations,” he added.
He further advocated for differentiated responsibilities in climate agreements, considering the varying contributions to global pollution. “If your nations pollute more, your targets need to be more stringent. If your nation doesn’t have the same carbon footprint, maybe your targets do not have to be as high. But there has to be a more just way of doing this.”
Youth Engagement: Building a Sustainable Future
During the interview, Gov. Dax also shared his thoughts on the critical role of youth in local governance and societal progress. This includes his observation on the unique advantages today’s youth have due to social media and technology to amplify their ideas and aspirations to the world about matters of the world like environment, climate, society, and family. As a result, he emphasised the importance of preparing the next generation to take up leadership roles to ensure that sustainable development continues. “I am a firm believer in the quote ‘You cannot have success when there is no successor. How can we say you’re successful when no one is there to further the torch you started? So, the young need to build on the gains of this generation.”
However, adding to their passion to make this world better, Gov. Dax also noted a shift in priorities among the youth, with many expressing concerns about starting a family due to social, and economic implications. He suggested that this would be a topic for leaders to discuss in the future. “We need to make sure that having a family is not seen as an inconvenience but as a valuable addition to society. This is something for leaders to discuss.
Concluding his visit, Gov. Dax enthusiastically reminded the UCLG ASPAC Secretariat that meaningful change requires time, commitment, and collaboration. “Change does not happen overnight,” he stated. But with a shared vision and purpose, we can achieve great things, one step at a time.”
Stay tuned for more insights and updates from Gov. Dax and UCLG ASPAC as we continue our work in elevating local voices and supporting Asia-Pacific local governments in nurturing sustainable development.
