MANDAUE CITY, Cebu – President Arroyo, who was here last Thursday to keynote this year’s Philippine Councilors League (PCL) End Term National Assembly at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) not only lauded the councilors’ efforts in helping the government combat climate change but also recognized the Cebu-Citizens’ Involvement and Maturation in People Empowerment and Liberation (C-CIMPEL) as effective poll watchdog in past elections.

Mrs. Arroyo said she believes C-CIMPEL is serving as a model for pollwatchers who are helping the government ensure fair, honest and clean elections especially that this year’s elections is less than two months away.

She encouraged other volunteer groups to replicate what C-CIMPEL has done in guarding the people’s votes.

C-CIMPEL is the political education arm of the Commission on Service of the Archdiocese of Cebu, which holds office on the second floor of the Caritas building on P. Gomez Street this city.

The group is part of the National Secretariat for Social Action of the citedCatholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, and has been accredited by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to conduct both poll watching and quick count.

Mrs. Arroyo assured the public a smooth transition to a new government, adding that the Comelec will be independent and free from any political interference.

Meanwhile, in line with PCL efforts to help combat the harmful effects of climate change as government frontliner, Mrs. Arroyo disclosed that the country is emitting only 1.6 tons per capita of carbon against the six tons per capita of other nations.

“We are good neighbors, we are good citizens of the world. We are mitigating the effects of climate change,” the President said.