MANILA, 24 November 2020 — Plant experts will gather virtually to underscore the importance of responsible gardening brought by the rising trend of collecting ornamental plants on the 27th episode of “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Change Pathways” with the topic, “Plant Wise: Responsible Gardening.”   The episode, hosted by House Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, will air on Thursday, 26 November 2020, 10:00 AM via Facebook Live at facebook.com/CCCPhl and facebook.com/conglorenlegarda.   Joining the online conversation are Dr. Gideon Lasco, medical anthropologist from the University of the Philippines Diliman and a research fellow at the Ateneo de Manila University's Development Studies Program; Dr. Theresa Mundita Lim, Executive Director of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity; and Dr. Ireneo Lit Jr., entomologist and curator of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) Museum of Natural History.   In previous episodes, the online series tackled food gardening and saving seeds, permaculture, good nutrition and diet, planting native trees, practical sustainability, narrating risk to resilience stories through books, tree pest, and disease management, reviving indigenous textiles and crafts, transforming waste into wages, sustainable urban mobility, and food waste reduction and management.   The upcoming episode will focus on the rising popularity of collecting ornamental plants. With more than six months of community quarantine, many Filipinos have turned to ornamental plant gardening as a hobby or to cope up with stress. However, the global and local circulation of plants comes with a significant ecological footprint, and so do all the materials used to tend to them like plastic pots, pesticides, packages used for transport, among others.   While ornamental plant gardening makes coping with the pandemic a little easier for many people, it is also important to be aware of the threats it poses to the environment, including plant poaching, wildlife trading, and unbridled profiteering.   Gardening ornamental plants come with the responsibility of practicing sustainable ways of tending them and making sure that the habitats where they are sourced remain unharmed, so as to not disturb ecosystems that are unique to the Philippines.   This episode will raise awareness on the possible environmental consequences and dangers of inaccurate wild plant harvesting to the Philippines’ native natural forests and biodiversity.   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 Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, The Climate Reality Project-Philippines and Mother Earth Foundation.

MANILA, 19 November 2020 — House Deputy Speaker and Lone District of Antique Representative Loren Legarda today filed Resolution No. 1363 at the House of Representatives directing the House Subcommittee on the New Normal to conduct an inquiry on the massive flooding caused by typhoon Ulysses in relation to the enforcement of environmental, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and disaster risk reduction and management laws by government agencies and local government units (LGUs).   The resolution also seeks a review on protocols followed by dam operators to ensure that measures are adjusted to climate risk scenarios, including pre-emptive safe discharge of water, and linked to effective early warning systems for communities at risk of floods down to the last mile, in order to prevent loss of lives, properties, and livelihoods.   Legarda aims to recommend stronger policy measures that will help avert future loss and damage and ensure sustainable and resilient recovery, in light of the escalating  climate-related disaster risks, compounded by factors caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.   In the resolution, Legarda stated that “the massive loss and damage of the Philippines in October to November this year from back-to-back typhoons and weather disturbances, and from other extreme weather events that wreaked havoc in the country in recent years, shows that climate change is a clear and present threat to the country's poverty reduction and other sustainable development goals.”   The resolution urges national government agencies and local government units to promptly mainstream disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in their development, investment, and land use planning.   Legarda stressed that poor drainage systems and garbage disposal aggravate the impacts of the typhoons.   Through this resolution, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and LGUs are recommended to regularly declog canals, roadside ditches, and drains. It also suggests that traditional flood mitigation projects, such as river dredging, dike construction, and tree planting upstream, should  be supplemented by natural flood intervention programs, such as river and floodplain restoration.   It also mandates the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to determine areas for improvement of its capability and the agility of its systems for climate observation and projection, weather forecasting, and real-time climate information dissemination to dam operators, national government agencies, LGUs, academe, and research institutions; and translate scientific climate information into more relatable messages of potential impacts for more effective risk communication.   LGUs are also encouraged to have a landscape and ecosystem-based comprehensive development and land use planning informed by geohazard maps and climate and disaster risk assessments. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through its Mines and Geosciences Bureau, is mandated to ensure that geohazard maps are updated to take into account current and projected climate hazards and are well-understood by LGUs, and provide basis to consider measures to “protect, retreat, or accommodate” based on assessment of risk.   “Despite the enactment of landmark policies on the environment, climate change, and disaster risk reduction and management, there is still continued decline of the state of the environment. Challenges arising from poor urban governance, vulnerable rural livelihoods, and ecosystems decline drive disaster risks and poverty in the context of climate change and cause loss and suffering for millions of Filipinos,” Legarda emphasized.

MANILA, 18 November 2020 — Small-scale agriculture advocates will gather virtually to underscore the importance of supporting small farmers, reducing food loss and waste, feeding the hungry, and keeping the local food supply chain functioning and resilient to shocks on the 26th episode of “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Pathways” with the topic, “Transforming Supply Chain.”   The episode, hosted by House Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, will air on Thursday, 19 November 2020, 10:00 AM via Facebook Live at facebook.com/CCCPhl and facebook.com/conglorenlegarda.   Joining the online conversation are: Ace and Andie Estrada, founders of Rural Rising PH; Iloisa Diga, co-founder of Session Groceries; and Tracey Santiago, Founder of Sustainable Sagada.   In previous episodes, the online series tackled food gardening and saving seeds, permaculture, good nutrition and diet, planting native trees, practical sustainability, narrating risk to resilience stories through books, tree pest and disease management, reviving indigenous textiles and crafts, transforming waste into wages, championing sustainable urban mobility, and food waste reduction and management.   This episode will recognize private sector initiatives to support distressed farmers and link farmers to consumers amid the pandemic and toward a better normal.   According to an SWS survey conducted in September 2020, families who hunger due to lack of food to eat reached a record-high of 30.7 percent, equivalent to 7.6 million households.   Meanwhile, farmers struggle to sell their produce due to movement restrictions since the imposition of community quarantine, forcing them to throw away fresh food that could have fed people in need without further hurting farm finances.   As the country battles the coronavirus pandemic, food security challenges are expected to persist, worsened by the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses that resulted in at least P2.137 billion in agricultural damages.   The upcoming episode will raise awareness on identifying strategies to improve the sustainability of local food supply chains and reduce food loss and waste, as well as encouraging the audiences and local communities to buy locally-grown food.   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 Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, The Climate Reality Project-Philippines and Mother Earth Foundation.

MANILA, 16 NOVEMBER 2020 — Following the 27th Meeting of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Board held virtually from November 9 to 13, 2020, the Climate Change Commission (CCC) welcomed the approval of the Philippines as a participating country in Climate Investor One, an innovative blended finance facility managed by Climate Fund Managers and providing an integrated, full project life cycle financing solution to support the development, construction and commissioning of renewable energy projects more expeditiously and at reduced cost. The project is set to deploy USD 100 million capital in a total of 18 countries for historic and new renewable energy projects The Board also approved 16 new projects by developing countries all over the world, amounting to over one billion US dollars, intended to finance climate adaptation and mitigation initiatives.  The CCC also welcomed the accreditation of four new Accredited Entities (AEs) or partner organizations, ranging from country organizations called Direct Access Entities (DAEs), to regional and multi-national bodies. AEs submit funding proposals and act as a conduit of GCF funds as they implement climate projects approved and funded by the GCF.    Climate Change Commissioner Rachel Herrera, sitting as Alternate Member in the GCF Board, delivers her intervention seeking for faster accreditation for Direct Access Entities or GCF partner organizations at the national or local level, during the 27th GCF Board Meeting held from November 9-13, 2020. CCC Commissioner Rachel Herrera, who sits as Alternate Member in the GCF Board representing the Asia-Pacific constituency, appreciated the Board’s accreditation of the new AEs—three of which are DAEs—but also noted that it is still too low in enabling stronger country ownership for developing countries. In the case of the Philippines, only the Land Bank of the Philippines has completed the process of approval as DAE for GCF. “We continue to express our concern that AEs spend an average of 21.1 months from application towards approval—with one DAE taking up to 30 months, which are 30 months’ worth of time and resources lost,” Herrera said.  “The direct access modality is designed to help developing countries exercise ownership of finance, align these with national climate action plans, and not the least, build the needed capacity within our national institutions for climate projects. We articulate these points to push for concrete ways to address persistent challenges, so that more DAEs go through a shorter accreditation period and will encourage more applicants to find more clarity and efficiency in the process,” Herrera added. The CCC said that the GCF is the world’s largest climate fund that aims to foster a paradigm shift towards low emission, climate resilient development pathways in developing countries. The GCF serves the Paris Agreement and is governed by a Board that has equal representation from developing and developed countries. The CCC also noted that the 27th GCF Board Meeting raises the GCF’s total portfolio to USD7.2 billion and that the value of the approved projects for 2020 alone is over USD2 billion—a record year for GCF programming. GCF Executive Director Yannick Glemarec said that project agreements for four projects were immediately signed upon their approval at the Board Meeting, showing how quickly they are moving to approve and implement vital projects and programs in developing countries. “GCF has stepped up its operations this year in spite of the global pandemic, and is providing more support to developing countries than ever as we help them to build a low-emission, climate-resilient recovery. The ambitious work programme the Board has approved for 2021 will give further momentum to making our operations more efficient and more effective,” Glemarec said. 

MANILA, 14 November 2020 — After a series of mentoring sessions and film production workshops for the initial 52 youth teams from across 14 regions of the country that signed up for the Klima Film Festival (KFF), 17 are able to submit their film entries for the festival. Below is the list of film entries, which are now undergoing eligibility and technical quality review:   • Baktas - Impulse Production (Region X) • Drawings - Big Ship Productions (National Capital Region) • Grow My Mind - Zealous Productions (Region III) • Jeremiah at ang Bayan ng Gomorrah - VIP Production (Region IV-A) • Liham - Pelikularal Productions (National Capital Region) • Litrato - IA Visuals (Cordillera Administrative Region) • Manalas - Salidahan Productions (Region VIII) • Ni Sierra ken ti Kayo ti Biag - Samtoy Productions (Region I) • Our World - Aquarian Eye Media (Region III) • Pahimatngon - Bernal Production (Region VIII) • Pamilya Niño - Maya Productions (National Capital Region) • Resilience - South Frame Visuals (National Capital Region) • Respicio-Respado - CDC Production (Region II) • Si Hiraya at ang Diwa - Sinagtala (Region IV-A) • Tagam - Plaza Films Production (Region VIII) • Tinig - Prima Lente (National Capital Region) • Verdant - Ang Maharlika Productions (Region VIII)   The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), led by Chairperson Maria Rachel Arenas, will review and classify the entries.   From these 17 entries, ten (10) films that will be able to comply with the mechanics and submission requirements will be shortlisted and advance to the KFF Screening on November 19-24 and the KFF Awards on November 25, as part of the celebration of the 13th annual Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness Week.   These ten entries will be accessible worldwide for free through the iWant TFC, the Official Media Partner for the Klima Film Festival.   Winning teams will also receive trophies sponsored by the Support CCC II Project implemented by the CCC and GIZ with funding from the German Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU).   The Klima Film Festival is an initiative by the Climate Change Commission and the Oscar M. Lopez Center in order to increase awareness and understanding on climate change through films, while also featuring the skills and talents of young Filipino filmmakers on climate action.

MANILA, 13 November 2020 — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) calls for  increased collaborative work for the government and private business sector in ushering a paradigm shift toward low-carbon and climate-resilient development.   CCC Secretary Emmanuel M. de Guzman said that the climate emergency must inspire radical action both from the public and the private sector, in the same manner as the COVID-19 pandemic response.   “The current Covid-19 pandemic and the prevailing climate emergency are both rooted in the world’s current economic model of pursuing infinite growth at the expense of our planet on which our survival depends,” he said during the Manila Times Virtual Forum held on Wednesday, November 11.   De Guzman cited the recent two powerful typhoons Rolly and Quinta, which left numerous casualties and millions in destroyed crops and infrastructure in the Bicol Region. The recovery and reconstruction efforts in affected areas are put on hold as residents brace for another tropical storm that is projected to further intensify into a typhoon before making landfall   “There is no more time to waste. We must immediately pursue the integration and coherence of private and public sector strategies for climate change adaptation and mitigation, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable development,” De Guzman stressed.   De Guzman stressed the role of international climate negotiations and national policies which mainstream climate change adaptation and mitigation to address the problem of climate change. He said that reducing carbon emissions entails the exponential scaling up of renewable energy systems, energy efficiency, electrification of transport systems, and improvements of industrial and building efficiency on a global scale.   “Despite our country’s insignificant emissions of less than half of one percent of global emissions, the burden of prevalent poverty, and the recurring economic losses from climate change impacts, we are resolved to pursue a low-carbon development pathway,” he affirmed.   De Guzman also mentioned the policy initiatives from the other agencies of the government – such as the sustainability reporting guidelines for publicly listed companies issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission; sustainable finance policy framework approved by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and the moratorium on new coal-fired power plants which will be issued by the Department of Energy –  which shall be articulated in the country’s first Nationally Determined Contributions or NDC under the Paris Agreement, which is now being developed and finalized through a whole-of-government-and-society approach.   “The NDC is the articulation of the country’s investment strategy in pursuit of climate-resilient and low carbon development. It defines also which transformational measures are conditional or contingent on the climate finance support of developed countries,” De Guzman said.   The  Secretary also emphasized that the policies, frameworks, and regulations of the government will not be successful without the support and cooperation of the private sector. He enumerated several possible areas of cooperation between the public and the private sector in the pursuit of sustainable and green development – such as promoting risk-informed and science-based development planning; mainstreaming climate change and disaster resilience in the businesses’ investment and operational planning; promoting sustainable urban planning and development; developing and promoting disaster risk financing tools; and social preparations for the low-carbon transition and the exponential transformation of all sectors towards a green economy.   De Guzman mentioned that these climate solutions are now often cheaper and provide greater economic returns than higher-carbon alternatives, opposite from the mistaken assumption before that climate actions are inevitably costly to those that pursue them.   “Such thinking only empowers those who stand to benefit from delay and inaction by propounding the notion that climate action conflicts with critical economic, development, and public welfare priorities. We now know that reality is very much different. What is good for the planet is good for business,” De Guzman said.

 

MANILA, 10 November 2020 — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) called for the development and implementation of functional and sustainable urban mobility plans in observance of Philippine Clean Air Month.   Presidential Proclamation No. 1109, s. 1997 declares the month of November of every year as “Clean Air Month Through National Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance Consciousness.” Consistent with the Republic Act No. 8749 or the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999, the observance aims to create awareness and to encourage the motoring public to take positive steps to help improve air quality.   A report from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) and Greenpeace Philippines laid down recommendations to reduce air pollution post-COVID-19 in order to safeguard people’s health and ensure a better normal.   According to the report, vehicles are a major source of air pollution, accounting for 65% of air pollution in the country, primarily in Metro Manila. Air pollution is also expected to increase given the projected 4.6% annual growth rate in energy demand. This is consistent with the projected increase of road vehicles to 24.8 million by 2030, compared to a baseline of 6.6 million in 2010.   As a measure to greatly improve mobility in cities is a key solution to the problem, the Department of Public Works and Highways has issued Department Administrative Order No. 88, s. 2020.  This is seen as a transformational shift in infrastructure planning and design towards a climate-friendly mass public transport system and an effective investment to enable shared mobility, walking, and cycling, as the report recommends.   The CCC echoes these recommendations by encouraging cities and citizens to adopt greener modes of transportation to commute in this period of pandemic and climate crisis, and promoting inclusive urban mobility solutions as part of the country’s post-pandemic recovery.   The imposed community quarantine across the country had already given us a glimpse of what cities can be like with vastly improved air quality. But months later, with the easing of regulations and the return of motor vehicles on the road, air pollution is gradually making a comeback.   With this, the agency also urges local government units themselves to establish dedicated, protected, and connected bike lanes with green spaces to link cities as well as nearby provinces and encourage more Filipinos to choose healthier and sustainable ways to commute.   The CCC believes that having access to these safe and functional types of mobility systems and non-motorized mainstream modes of transportation will open doors for effective air quality, climate, and environment management which will benefit the present and the future generations. 

MANILA, 9 November 2020 — Slow food enthusiasts underscored the importance of food waste reduction and management during the 25th episode of “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Pathways,” with the topic “Waste Not, Want Not: A Food Waste Episode with Slow Food Manila.”   The online conversation hosted by Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda featured restaurateurs including Chef Kalel Demetrio, co-owner of Agimat Foraging Bar and Kitchen; Chef Waya Wijangco, owner of Gourmet Gypsy Art Café; and Chef Robby Goco, owner of Cyma Restaurants, who shared how they implement sustainable consumption and production in their restaurants and highlighted the importance of managing food waste.   Chef Demetrio, known as a “Liquid Maestro”, introduced the basics of foraging, as a way of processing indigenous ingredients into food, drinks, or condiments. He works with the local farmers, and uses low-technology and indigenous knowledge to make products from the unusual and rare fruits and vegetables so it will not be wasted.   “Back in the days kasi, everything is foraging. There are no groceries and fast food chains, so we tend to create everything on our own. In the modern times, we see the beauty of foraging kasi nakikita natin na it is unadulterated and all ingredients can be found in nature. Alam mo ‘yong quality kasi ikaw mismo ang nagtanim... unlike getting something from the grocery, it is an endgame na kaagad kasi it is already a by-product,” said Demetrio.   Chef Wijangco, a staunch advocate for inclusive employment, small enterprise, and support for local farmers,environmental conservation, tourism development, and education, shared how Gourmet Gypsy Art Café applied the rules of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle into the daily food preparation and other processes in their restaurant.   “Sustainability is a way of life. It requires mindfulness, consideration for others, the environment we live in, and the communities we interact with. It takes a lot of work and commitment, but it is the kind of effort that truly makes our world a better place to live in,” said Wijangco.   Chef Goco, fascinated by creating something out of nothing, has been innovating by using the entire animal kingdom, or ingredients from nose to tail and from roots to seeds, to make dishes for his restaurants. He explained the basics of menu costing and their back of house control points. He showed some dishes made from unused parts of meat and vegetables. He also demonstrated how to make tomato paste from overripe tomatoes, which are usually thrown away.   "As a chef owning 12 restaurants, ang pinaka importante sa lahat is when I go to the restaurant, I check the garbage kung ano ang laman, kasi pag may nakita akong produkto na hindi dapat nasa basurahan, I call the manager and tell them, "why are you not efficiently using your ingredients?" Because my secret is, if I know at the end of the evening na malinis ang basurahan ko, then I know my business is profitable dahil hindi ako nagtatapon," said Goco.   Legarda, as an advocate of slow food and circular economy, showed several photos of the foods she prepared from the ingredients taken from her own home garden.   “We promote the concept of sustainability in our lives so that we can use our natural resources in a way that it is not wasted, or depleted. In this way, we teach ourselves to live properly and with respect for our nature,” said Legarda.   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 Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, The Climate Reality Project-Philippines and Mother Earth Foundation.

 

MANILA, 03 November 2020 — Slow food enthusiasts will gather virtually to underscore the importance of food, and its waste reduction and management, on the 25th episode of “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Pathways,” with the topic “Waste Not, Want Not: A Food Waste Episode with Slow Food Manila.” The episode, hosted by House Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, will air on Thursday, 05 November 2020, 10:00 AM via Facebook Live at facebook.com/CCCPhl and facebook.com/conglorenlegarda.   Chefs and restaurant owners will join the online conversation, including Kalel Demetrio, co-owner of Agimat Foraging Bar and Kitchen; Chef Waya Wijangco, owner of Gourmet Gypsy Art Café; and Chef Robby Goco, owner of Cyma Restaurants.   According to the World Wildlife Fund-Philippines, Filipinos waste about 308,000 tons of rice every year. In Metro Manila alone, an estimated 2,175 tons of food scraps end up in trash bins on a daily basis. Much of this wasted food come from restaurants.   In previous episodes, the online series tackled food gardening and saving seeds, permaculture, good nutrition and diet, youth climate activism, planting native trees, practical sustainability, narrating risk to resilience stories through books, tree pest and disease management, Panay Island ecology, reviving indigenous textiles and crafts, transforming waste into wages, and sustainable urban mobility.   This upcoming episode will feature restaurateurs who will share their knowledge on the adverse effects of food wastage and how their respective restaurants effectively manage their food waste in support of sustainable consumption and production.   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 Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, The Climate Reality Project-Philippines and Mother Earth Foundation.

MANILA, 30 October 2020 — Representatives from indigenous peoples (IP) groups featured their unique ways of preserving culture and heritage and called for more support to enhance their resilience to the pandemic and climate impacts, during the 24th episode of “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Pathways.”   The online conversation hosted by House Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda featured indigenous and cultural advocates, including Waway L. Saway, member of the Talaandig in Bukidnon and Head of the Family Food Security Cycle program of Hineleban Foundation; Delia Pauden, Cluster Head of Ati in Antique and Aklan; and Renee Talavera, Head of the Cultural Communities and Traditional Arts of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).   Dedicated in celebration of the National Indigenous Peoples’ Month this October and the 23rd anniversary of the passage of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997, the episode aimed to raise awareness on the interventions needed from all sectors to further promote traditional culture and rural livelihoods of IP groups and communities.   Mr. Saway, an international-renowned artist for music and arts, introduced the Hineleban Foundation, which aims to secure Mindanao’s sources of water by reforesting the buffer zones surrounding the high mountain ranges and to provide sustainable livelihood options for the Bangsamoro and IPs of Mindanao. Rooted in the belief that neither the forest nor the people can thrive without the other, the foundation approaches its goal in three aspects—food security, sustainable livelihood, and reforestation. He also discussed how the various groups in Bukidnon and other areas in Mindanao converge to do sustainable rainforestation work, especially during this pandemic.   “Simula lamang ito dito sa Bukidnon, subalit ito ay gagawin natin sa buong Mindanao dahil ang Hineleban ay one of the key players of Mindanao rainforestation. Ibig sabihin nito, buong Mindanao ang ating ginagalawan, kasama na rito ang mga pamayanan ng mga kapatid nating Muslim,” said Saway.   Ms. Pauden, member of the Pandan-Ati organization that teaches dance, music, weaving and Ati language to the young members of Ati, shared how the government helped them in preserving their traditional culture and sustain their livelihoods,.   “Sa ngayon, unti-unti nang nawawala ‘yung tradisyon namin. But through Deputy Speaker Legarda and NCCA’s support, we’re praying and hoping na makatulong na maibalik ‘yung kultura at tradisyon namin,” said Pauden.   Ms. Talavera introduced the programs and projects for the IPs, such as Assistance to Artisans Program and School of Living Traditions (SLTs) to revitalize IP culture and heritage. SLTs are non-formal centers of learning in the communities where cultural masters transmit their knowledge and skills on a particular art, craft, and tradition to the young members of the community for their appreciation and learning.   “Ang SLTs, five years na nitong natutulungan ang communities hanggang sa maging sustainable na ang mga ito. Ganu’n din sa Assistance to Artisans, ang mga natulungan nito ay malaki ang pasasalamat dahil nari-reach natin kahit ‘yung mga nasa pinaka-liblib na lugar kung saan meron pala silang mga pangangailangan na hindi kaagad nila mailapit dahil mahirap ang sitwasyon. Dahil dito sa Assistance to Artisans program, maraming mga tao at mga komunidad ang napasaya, lalo na ngayong panahon ng pandemic, hindi tumigil ang ating mga programa at tuloy-tuloy pa rin tayo,” said Talavera.   Legarda showed several photos of her programs, activities, and projects for the IPs whom she considers as frontliners in the preservation of indigenous culture. She also reiterated the need to preserve the cultural wealth and heritage bestowed upon by the IP communities and their indigenous knowledge, systems, and practices. She also stressed the need to ensure that budgets allocated for IPs are properly utilized and spent to further protect their rights.   “There should be adequate safety protocols and support mechanisms in place for our IPs, the NCCA, and the NGOs we work with in the preservation of our indigenous culture and heritage. We also need to ensure that the budgets intended to support our IPs are used fully and efficiently. We should always respect the culture of our IPs. Huwag tayong gagamit ng kanilang kaalaman nang hindi nire-respeto ang kanilang karapatan, kultura, at kabuhayan,” Legarda concluded.   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 Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, The Climate Reality Project-Philippines and Mother Earth Foundation.

MAYNILA, Ika-30 ng Oktubre taong 2020 — Nagpakita ng kanilang mga kakaibang pamamaraan sa pangangalaga ng kultura at pamanang yaman ang ilang kinatawan mula sa ating ating mga katutubo o Indigenous People (IP). Nananawagan sila ng karagdagang suporta para tuluyang mapabuti ang kanilang katatagan sa pandemya at epekto ng klima sa ika-24 na kabanata ng “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Pathways.”   Ang lingguhang online talakayan na pinangungunahan ni House Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda ay dinaluhan ng mga tagapagtaguyod at tagapagsulong ng mga katutubo at kultura. Nandoon sina Waway L. Saway, miyembro ng tribong Talaandig ng Bukidnon at Pinuno ng Food Security Cycle Program ng Hineleban Foundation; si Delia Pauden, Cluster Head ng mga Tribong Ati ng Antique at Aklan; at si Renee Talavera, Pinuno ng Cultural Communities at Traditional Arts ng National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).   Itinuon ang usapan sa pagdiriwang ng  National Indigenous Peoples’ Month ngayong Oktubre at sa ika-23 na anibersaryo ng pagkakapasa ng Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) noong 1997. Ang special episode na ito ay naglalayong maiangat ang kamalayan sa mga dapat gawin ng iba’t ibang sektor ng lipunan para itaguyod ang tradisyunal na kultura at kabuhayan ng mga katutubo at ang kani-kanilang komunidad.     Si Waway, isang international-renowned artist sa musika at sining, ang siyang nagpakilala sa Hineleban Foundation. Ang Hineleban ay isang organisasyon na naglalayong masiguro ang pinagkukunang tubig sa sa Mindanao sa pamamagitan ng reforestation ng buffer zones na nakapalibot sa matataas at bulubunduking bahagi ng lugar para makapagbigay ng iba pang sustenableng pagkakakitaan sa Bangsamoro at iba pang mga katutubo. Batay sa paniniwalang maging ang gubat o ang tao man ay hindi kayang umusad at mabuhay nang nag-iisa, nakatuon ang layunin ng Hineleban Foundation sa tatlong aspeto – kasiguruhan sa pagkain, pagpapanatili ng kabuhayan at pagtatanim ng puno. Tinalakay din ni Waway kung paano nagkakaisang gumawa ang iba’t ibang grupo sa Bukidnon at ibang lugar sa Mindanao para magkaroon ng “sustainable rainforestation” lalung-lalo na ngayong may pandemya.   “Simula lamang ito dito sa Bukidnon, subalit ito ay gagawin natin sa buong Mindanao dahil ang Hineleban ay one of the key players of Mindanao rainforestation. Ibig sabihin nito, buong Mindanao ang ating ginagalawan, kasama na rito ang mga pamayanan ng mga kapatid nating Muslim,” dagdag ni Waway.   Si Delia Pauden, miyembro ng organisasyong Pandan-Ati na nagtuturo ng sayaw, musika, paghahabi at wikang Ati sa mga kabataang miyembro, ay nagbahagi kung paano sila tinulungan ng pamahalaan sa pangangalaga ng kanilang tradisyunal na kultura at pagpapanatili ng kabuhayan.   “Sa ngayon, unti-unti nang nawawala ‘yung tradisyon namin, ngunit sa pamamagitan ni Deputy Speaker Legarda at suporta ng  NCCA, nananalangin at umaasa kami na matulungang maibalik ang mga ito,” sabi ni Delia.   Mula sa National Commission for Culture and the Arts, ipinakilala ni Renee Talavera ang mga programa at proyekto para sa IPs tulad ng Assistance to Artisans Program at School of Living Traditions (SLTs) para buhaying muli ang katutubong kultura at pamanang yaman. Ang SLTs ay “non-formal centers of learning” sa mga pamayanan kung saan ibinabahagi ng cultural masters sa mga bata ang kanilang kaalaman at kakayahan sa partikular na art, craft at tradition para payamanin ang kanilang kaalaman at pagpapahalaga sa mga ito.   “Ang SLTs, five years na nitong natutulungan ang communities hanggang sa maging sustainable na ang mga ito. Ganu’n din sa Assistance to Artisans, ang mga natulungan nito ay malaki ang pasasalamat dahil nari-reach natin kahit ‘yung mga nasa pinakaliblib na lugar kung saan mayroon pala silang mga pangangailangan na hindi kaagad nila mailapit dahil mahirap ang sitwasyon. Dahil sa Assistance to Artisans program, maraming mga tao at mga komunidad ang napasaya, lalo na ngayong panahon ng pandemic. Hindi tumigil ang ating mga programa at tuloy-tuloy pa rin tayo,” paliwanag ni Renee.   Ipinakita naman ni Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda ang ilang mga larawan ng kanyang mga programa, gawain at proyekto para sa ating mga katutubo na itinuturing niya bilang frontliners sa pangangalaga ng katutubong kultura. Iginiit ng Congresswoman na kailangang pangalagaan ang kanilang katutubong kaalaman, sistema at kasanayan. Binigyang-diin niya na kailangang siguruhin na ang budget na inilaan para sa IPs ay nagagamit nang tama at ginagastos para mapalawig at maprotektahan ang kanilang mga karapatan.   “Kailangang magkaroon tayo ng sapat na safety protocols at support mechanisms para sa mga katutubo, ang NCCA at ang NGOs na katulong natin para alagaan ang ating katutubong kultura at pamanang yaman. Kailangan din nating masiguro na ang mga budget na inilalaan para suportahan mga katutubo ay nagagamit nang buo at nagagastos nang mahusay. Kailangan din nating irespeto ang kultura ng IPs. Huwag tayong gagamit ng kanilang kaalaman nang hindi nirerespeto ang kanilang karapatan, kultura at kabuhayan,” pagtatapos ni Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda.   Bilang isang online discussion na nagtataguyod sa kalusugan, kamalayan sa kapaligiran, at gawaing angkop sa klima,  ang “Stories for a Better Normal” ay naglalayong baguhin ang kaisipan ng mamamayan, mga pamilya at mga komunidad sa pamamagitan ng pagpapakita ng mga pamamaraan kung paano magkakaroon at maipatutupad ang isang 'better normal' sa loob ng ating mga pamayanan.    Ang online discussion na ito ay inorganisa mula sa pakikipagtulungan ng Tanggapan ni Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda at ng Climate Change Commission (CCC) na sinusuportahan ng Institute for Climate at Sustainable Cities, The Climate Reality Project-Philippines, at ng Mother Earth Foundation.

MANILA, 29 October 2020 — In the third session of the “Accelerated Climate Action and Transformation (ACT) Local Online Conference,” the Climate Change Commission (CCC) stressed the importance of climate risk management, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory, and climate budget tagging as critical components of local climate planning and action.   A four-part online webinar series organized by the CCC, the ACT Local Conference aims to capacitate higher education institutions (HEIs) from across the Philippine regions to provide technical assistance on climate science, issues, vulnerabilities, and risks to their respective local government units (LGUs) and communities, with the view of developming science-based and risk-informed local climate plans.   The HEIs who participated in the webinar are the following: Aklan State University, Ateneo de Davao – Law, Bulacan State University, Holy Name University, Iloilo Science and Technology University, Laguna State Polytechnic University, Leyte Normal University, Mariano Marcos State University, Mindanao State University- College of Forestry and Environment, Rizal Memorial Colleges – School of Law Davao, Southern Philippines Agribusiness and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology, St. Michael’s College- Laguna, Sultan Kudarat State University, University of Antique, University of the Philippines Visayas, and West Visayas State University.   CCC Assistant Secretary Romell Antonio O. Cuenca recognized the role of HEIs in building the capacities of our LGUs, particularly in providing assistance in crafting science-based and risk-informed Local Climate Change Action Plans (LCCAPs).   “Through today’s session, we hope to provide a strategy for you and your respective LGUs to develop a basis for climate mitigation efforts through the greenhouse gas inventory, and through the CCET presentation, and of course, discuss how the national and local government can work together to ensure we have sufficient funding for necessary climate actions,” said Cuenca.   Ms. Elaine Joyce V. Borejon of the CCC’s Policy Research and Development Division discussed the National Climate Risk Management Framework (NCRMF), a policy initiative of the CCC that envisions a climate action planning system that is anchored on a unified and integrated science and risk-based approach through the presence of a strong risk database, information, and analytics system accessible at the national and subnational levels.   “We really look forward to enjoining you in [the NCRMF] process. Higher education institutions are very crucial in this, so we want sustained partnerships [with you] towards our country’s transformation,” said Borejon.   Mr. Francisco S. Dacumos III of the CCC’s Implementation Oversight Division discussed how LGUs could account and monitor their GHG emissions and climate-related expenditures.   A GHG inventory is an estimate of all emissions and removals of GHG from given sources and sinks within a defined spatial and temporal dimensions, while the CCET mandates government agencies to track their climate change expenditures in their respective budget submissions using a common framework jointly issued by the CCC and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to monitor the implementation of the NCCAP at the community level.   “GHG inventory aids in identifying source sectors and activities contributing to GHG emissions, as well as understanding trends in emissions and removals alike. It serves several purposes in terms of policymaking, and strategic and investment planning, as it provides scientific bases upon which emissions reduction strategies and policies shall be constructed. The CCET meanwhile provides information on which sectors national and local governments focus their resources on, and what general or specific actions they are undertaking. Through this, financing gaps and deficient sectors which require attention in terms of financing and urgency are identified,” said Dacumos.   The ACT Local Online Conference aims to formalize a sustainable partnership between the national government, academe, and the private sector in providing technical and/or financial resources to LGUs on climate action. Through this, relevant stakeholders will be capacitated to assist and contribute to efforts that will generate information, boost capacity development, promote cooperation and convergence, facilitate vertical and horizontal alignment for development planning, and access to climate financing windows towards climate resiliency.   The last leg of the online webinar, airing on October 27th, will focus on the process of accessing the People’s Survival Fund (PSF) and developing PSF proposals.   Interested participants may register through this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/accelerated-climate-action-transformation-for-local-communities-act-local-tickets-121024931829?aff=PARTICIPANTS   For more information about the ACT Local Online Conference and ACT Local Program, visit the Facebook page of the Climate Change Commission at www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.

MANILA, 29 October 2020 — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) delivered a mentoring session to capacitate higher education institutions (HEIs) on how to tap and access the People’s Survival Fund, the country’s climate adaptation fund which provides long-stream finance for adaptation projects aimed at increasing the resiliency of communities and ecosystems to climate change. This was during the fourth and last session of the Accelerated Climate Action and Transformation (ACT) Local Online Conference held yesterday via Zoom and Facebook Live.   The ACT Local Conference, a four-part online webinar organized by the CCC, orients HEIs from the various regions in the Philippines to provide technical assistance on climate science, issues, vulnerabilities, and risks to their respective LGUs and communities on the development of science-based and risk-informed local climate plans.   Participating HEIs are the following: Aklan State University, Bohol Island State University, Holy Name University, Ifugao State University, Iloilo Science and Technology University, Laguna State Polytechnic University, Leyte Normal University, Mariano Marcos State University, Mindanao State University – Lanao del Norte Agricultural College, Philippine Science High School – Eastern Visayas Campus, Southern Philippines Agribusiness and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology, St. Michael’s College- Laguna, Sultan Kudarat State University, University of Antique Main Campus, Mapua University, University of Antique – Hamtic Campus, University of the Philippines Visayas, University of the Philippines – Diliman – SURP, and West Visayas State University.   Members of the CCC’s People’s Survival Fund Unit led the webinar, including Mr. John Ernest M. Mateo and Ms. Jean Paula Regulano, who presented information on the process and requirements for accessing funding, constraints in terms of technical capacity to develop climate change adaptation projects, and the need for collaboration with community stakeholders.   The People’s Survival Fund or PSF is a national climate adaptation grant mechanism created by Republic Act No. 10174 which amended the Climate Change Act of 2009. The fund shall be used to support adaptation activities of local governments and communities. This includes adaptation activities in the areas of water resources management, land management, agriculture and fisheries, health, infrastructure development, and natural ecosystems including mountainous and coastal ecosystems.   Mr. Mateo discussed the process of accessing the PSF, which includes the prioritization criteria for local communities, reminders, and considerations for submitting adaptation projects/proposals, and ways to access the Project Development Grant. He presented the six (6) approved projects of the PSF.   “We emphasize that the role of Higher Education Institutions are significant in engaging more local government units and local community organizations in accessing the PSF. We in the Climate Change Commission are striving to harmonize all these sectors together in order to achieve our common agenda to further implement more PSF projects along the way,” said Mateo.   Ms. Regulano discussed the cycle of developing project proposals for the PSF, including tools to provide a basis for comparing and prioritizing adaptation measures, and guidelines in filling out the PSF project proposal template. She noted that there are several programs and projects that provide technical assistance to access the PSF.   “The challenge for the past years was the capacity of local government units to fill up the PSF Proposal Project Template, with lesser revisions or comments pagdating sa review and evaluation stage. So as a response, we have programs to provide assistance to local government units and other eligible proponents,” said Regulano.   Through his closing remarks, the chairperson of the House Committee on Climate Change and Bohol 1st District Representative Edgar M. Chatto encouraged participating HEIs to unite and act urgently to address the changing climate.   “We are in a state of climate emergency. It is imperative that we take immediate action aggressively and decisively, otherwise, the human race faces extinction. Let us heed the warnings in the world. There is no planet B. It is important to act now – act locally because it makes a lot of difference,” said Cong. Chatto.   With limitations on face-to-face training and meetings, the CCC continues to provide capacity building for local government units (LGU) and other stakeholders on PSF through its eLearning Program.   The PSF e-learning aims to strengthen our technical support and peer-to-peer learning services to the LGUs as well as networking with SUCs and HEIs to train and mentor more LGUs in developing quality and responsive PSF project proposals. To date, CCC’s PSF Unit is now mentoring the third batch of enrollees which started last August and will run until the end of this month.   The ACT Local Online Conference aims to formalize a sustainable partnership between the national government, academe, and the private sector in providing technical and/or financial resources to LGUs on climate action.   Through ACT Local, relevant stakeholders will be capacitated to assist and contribute to efforts that will generate information, boost capacity development, promote cooperation and convergence, facilitate vertical and horizontal alignment for development planning, and access to climate financing windows toward climate resiliency.

MANILA, 28 October 2020 — Representatives from Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities will gather virtually to discuss the role of environmental sustainability in enhancing resilience to future shocks on the 24th episode of “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Change Pathways,” dedicated to celebrate the Indigenous Peoples’ Month.   The episode, hosted by House Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, will air on Thursday, 29 October 2020, 10:00 AM via Facebook Live at facebook.com/CCCPhl and facebook.com/conglorenlegarda.   Joining the online conversation are: Waway L. Saway, member of Talaandig in Bukidnon and Head of the Family Food Security Cycle program of Hineleban Foundation; and Delia Pauden, Cluster head of Ati in Antique and Aklan.   In previous episodes, the online series tackled food gardening and saving seeds, permaculture, good nutrition and diet, planting native trees, practical sustainability, narrating risk to resilience stories through books, tree pest and disease management, reviving indigenous textiles and crafts, transforming waste into wages, and championing sustainable urban mobility.   This upcoming episode will be an avenue to raise awareness on  interventions needed from all sectors to safeguard our vulnerable rural livelihoods, including culture-based livelihoods of our IPs.   By virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 1906 signed in 2009, the month of October was declared as National Indigenous Peoples’ Month in the Philippines to put preferential attention on the importance of recognizing and protecting the rights of indigenous cultural communities geared towards national unity and development. This year also commemorates the 23rd year of Republic Act No. 8371, or the Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997.   The number of IPs in the Philippines remains unknown, but it estimated to be between 10% to 20% of the 110 million national population. Mostly subsistence farmers, herders, fishers, and hunters, the IPs have millennia of collective knowledge about the ecology of the surroundings.   This upcoming episode will bring focus to the cultural wealth and heritage of indigenous Filipinos and the need to preserve indigenous knowledge, systems, and practices.   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 Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, The Climate Reality Project-Philippines and Mother Earth Foundation.

MANILA, 24 OCTOBER 2020 — House Deputy Speaker and Antique Congresswoman Loren Legarda welcomed the leadership of the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) in keeping the momentum for adaptation and building resilience despite the pandemic and expressed that COVID-19 recovery packages must be climate adaptive and pegged on achieving the 1.5 degrees Celsius climate goal enshrined in the Paris Agreement, during the GCA’s 2nd Board Meeting held virtually on October 23.   The GCA acts as a solutions broker, bringing together governments, the private sector, civil society, intergovernmental bodies, and knowledge institutions that can address the obstacles slowing down adaptation action. Legarda sits as Member of the GCA Board, which is chaired by former United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon with co-chair Mr. Feike Sijbesma, Honorary Chairman of Royal DSM.   “I would like to commend the anticipatory stance of the GCA on responding to one of the most pressing challenges of our time—recovering and rebuilding lives and economies post pandemic. The action tracks set by the GCA complement the priorities we see across countries, especially for developing nations and particularly for poor and vulnerable communities, who are hardest hit by the pandemic and the resulting economic shocks,” Legarda said, as she addressed the meeting chaired by Mr. Ban and moderated by Prof. Patrick Verkooijen, CEO of the GCA.   “Our interventions in the GCA should also continue urging world leaders and governments to ensure that economic stimulus packages must be climate-adaptive and transformative towards a world of  1.5 degrees Celsius, as enshrined in the Paris Agreement. COVID-19 recovery must be climate adaptation,” Legarda added.   Deputy Speaker Legarda during the Launch of the Global Commission on Adaptation (GCA) last October 16, 2018 in The Hague, Netherlands.   Legarda said that the GCA’s focus on Africa, as the most vulnerable continent, is an obvious priority to bolster food security and rural well-being, water for growth and resilience, and adaptation support to its fast-developing urban centers. She added that the “the template for Africa can be the template for the Philippines as well,” expressing that the GCA could support and extend to other parts of the developing world as well, especially those that are recognized to have climate risks and other socioeconomic vulnerabilities, particularly in the Asia Pacific region.   Legarda also emphasized the value of convergence, climate science, and finance in mainstreaming adaptation into country programs, adding that a South-South Center in the Philippines will be established through the efforts of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) and the Climate Change Commission (CCC).   “Convergence of the public, private sectors and the academe and a whole of nation approach is much needed. I think everything that we must do must be based on science and research. As parliamentarians, we also have to ensure that the whole national budget is a budget geared towards adaptation. The GCA can work towards the influencing or mainstreaming of adaptation in country processes in the aspects of water security, sanitation, education, infrastructure, and other focus areas of the GCA,” Legarda expressed.   Aside from Legarda, other GCA Board members and advisers in attendance included: Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank; Mr. Dag-Inge Ulstein, Minister of International Development of Norway; Mr. Peter Eriksson, Minister for International Development Cooperation of Sweden; Mr. Abul Kalam Abdul Momen, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh; Mr. Abul Kalam Azad, Special Envoy for the United Nations CVF Presidency; Mr. Huang Runqui, Minister of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China; Mr. José Antonio Meade, Secretary of Finance and Public Credit of Mexico; Mr. Roald Lapperre, Vice Minister for the Environment, Netherlands Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management; Mr. Vijay Rangarajan, Director-General of the Americas and Overseas Territories of the United Kingdom; Mr. Rémy Rioux, CEO of the Agence Française de Développement (AFD); President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon (represented by Gabon’s Forests, Oceans, Environment and Climate Change Minister Lee White); Miami, Florida Mayor and President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors in 2020, Mr. Francis Suarez; Mr. Rodger Voorhies of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; Mr. Tao Zhang, Deputy Managing Director at the People's Bank of China (PBOC) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Director for China; Mr. Axel van Trotsenburg, World Bank Managing Director of Operations; Ms. Bernice Van Bronkhorst, Global Director of the Climate Change, Sustainable Development Practice Group of World Bank; Mr. Jamal Saghir, Director of the Sustainable Development Department for the Africa Region at the World Bank; Mr. Brooks Preston, Managing Director of the Macquarie Group; and Ms. Mathilda Buijtendijk, GCA Director of Operations.

MANILA, 23 October 2020 — Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) parliamentarian leaders are united in calling for more ambitious commitments ahead of the December 31 Midnight Deadline for nations to submit their updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).  CVF parliamentarians led by House Deputy Speaker and Antique Representative Loren Legarda; Speaker of the People’s Majlis of Maldives, H.E. Mohamed Nasheed; and President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and Chair of Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) of Bangladesh, Saber Chowdhury, convened yesterday in a meeting chaired by the CVF Presidency of Bangladesh Special Envoy, Abul Kalam Azad.  Also in attendance were Designated National Focal Points of the CVF Presidency of Bangladesh, Additional Secretary MoEFCC Shamim Razi, Director-General Nazrul Islam of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Chair of the CVF Expert Advisory Group Dr. Saleemul Huq. The meeting aimed to define efforts to accelerate formation of a supportive financing and regulatory environment to deliver a “Climate Prosperity” agenda from the CVF, and for policy de-risking for climate action. The launch of a South-South CVF parliamentary collaboration program which aims to enable parliamentarians from across the 48 CVF member-states to share valuable experiences and good practices on laws and policies in support of ambitious and urgent climate action to safeguard communities and progress towards the CVF’s “maximal resilience”, 100% renewable energy, and other goals, was also discussed. The CVF also endeavors to secure greater commitments to action by bringing CVF parliamentarians worldwide together with the IPU, to open the possibility of having a beneficial collaboration with parliaments from non-CVF countries. Deputy Speaker Legarda, the CVF Ambassador for Parliaments, lauded the initiative of Hon. Chowdhury for taking on the “ambition” task with CVF in 2020, and stressed the importance of the upcoming CVF-IPU collaboration in advancing the voices of the vulnerable nations and in pushing for the submission of enhanced NDCs before the year ends. The Philippines early on communicated that it will submit its updated NDC alongside the country’s adaptation priorities. The process is facilitated by the Climate Change Commission, with active support from other government agencies and civil society. Legarda also supported the creation of Climate Prosperity Plans to mobilize finance across a range of sources for CVF/V20 infrastructure and economic programs, to promote both robust socioeconomic progress and emissions reduction while building greater climate and disaster resilience.  She also emphasized that the CVF member-countries should share their respective enacted “best” laws which could also be adopted in other jurisdictions to increase ambition, promote tools and knowledge for adaptation, and increase the flow of international finance for climate action. The Climate Vulnerable Forum is an international partnership of 48 developing nations most threatened by the global climate emergency. The current president of the CVF is Bangladesh, which took over from the Marshall Islands this year and will hold the presidency until 2022.   The CVF countries are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Barbados, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Fiji, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Kenya, Kiribati, Lebanon, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, Niger, Palau, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Senegal, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Tunisia, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Viet Nam, and Yemen.

In support of an eco-friendly and sustainable urban mobility in their city, Pasig City launched an interest-free bike loan program for their employees in the city government. Photos from the Pasig Transport Facebook Page. MANILA, 23 October 2020 — Mayors of bike-friendly cities and sustainable mobility advocates presented their best practices, programs, and strategies for green and inclusive urban mobility solutions during the 23rd episode of “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Pathways,” with the topic “Championing Sustainable Urban Mobility.”       The online conversation hosted by Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda featured local chief executives of Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora; with Mr. Chito Bauzon, Assistant Vice President of SM Supermalls. Mr. Red Constantino, Executive Director of the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, co-anchored the show. In celebration of World Cities Day on the 31st of October, the episode featured Metro Manila cities’ strategies in providing the great majority of the population access to active mobility and non-motorized modes of transportation that are not only safe and functional, but are also efficient and environmentally-sustainable. “Mobility is something that our working people really need. Ultimately, what is good for our working households is good for the climate. The approach is if we pay attention to development, then the climate benefits as well,” said Red Constantino. Mayor Sotto shared that Pasig City is developing a system of sustainable mobility by establishing permanent protected and pop-up bike lanes and widening of sidewalks. He also mentioned that they have a bike loan program for frontliners and city employees as their way to address mobility challenges amidst the pandemic. As individuals, Mayor Sotto also stressed the importance of demanding more from the government to ensure a better normal. “We can engage our government, let’s demand for better public transportation. Let’s demand to lessen the allocation of the road networks for private vehicles, and make it a more equitable system for everyone. Let’s demand these things and engage the government, the groups, and show that together, we can make this new normal a better normal for everyone,” said Sotto. Mayor Zamora highlighted that championing the environment is one of the key points in the 10-point agenda of ‘Makabagong San Juan’. He also discussed San Juan city’s policies and programs, such as Bicycle Ordinance 2020, separate lanes for bicycles and motorcycles, police bike patrols, solar pit stops for bike repair, the bike-sharing program for employees, public transportation modernization, and the goal of building a solar-powered city. “There was a time before when people didn’t really care too much about the environment, pero ngayon, nagbago na rin naman ang perspective ng ating mga mamamayan, at lahat naman po ay nag-aalaga sa ating kalikasan. Marami kaming ordinansa which we have passed and we are implementing with regard to the maintenance of cleanliness in our city,” said Zamora. Mr. Bauzon shared SM Supermalls’ advocacy of creating bike-friendly communities to support the bike-riding public and to contribute to the creation of sustainable cities and in the reduction of pollution. “Paniniwala po namin, it has to be a holistic approach, hindi lang natatapos ‘yan that we provided bike lanes and facilities, kundi, ano [pa] ‘yung pwede naming maitulong to encourage the public or the people to have a behavioral change, a mindset that supports the need for creating bike-friendly communities,” said Bauzon. Legarda reiterated that the advocacy of making cities bike-friendly should be expanded, with the help of LGUs implementing programs from the ground, in addition to the strict implementation of ecological solid waste management. “We must expand the convergence of eco-friendly practices, not just planting native trees but also the implementation of ecological solid waste management because bike lanes and the environment around bikers is so important,” Legarda concluded. 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 Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, The Climate Reality Project-Philippines, and the Mother Earth Foundation.