The Climate Change Commission’s “Bawal Plastik Dito!” sticker pack promotes ocean protection and proper waste management. The stickers are available for download on Viber and Telegram. MANILA CITY, Philippines — In line with the commemoration of the Philippine Environment Month this June, the Climate Change Commission (CCC) has released the "Bawal Plastik Dito!" sticker pack to promote awareness on ocean protection and the importance of proper waste management. This initiative supports this year’s theme, “Ending Global Plastic Pollutions,” which underscores the urgent need for bold action against the escalating plastic crisis that threatens ecosystems, biodiversity, and public health. Available on Viber and Telegram, the sticker pack features ocean-themed designs that highlight the dangers of plastic pollution in marine ecosystems. Each year, up to 10 million metric tons of plastic end up in the ocean, accounting for 80 percent of all marine pollution. An estimated 50 trillion to 75 trillion pieces of plastic and microplastics now circulate in our oceans. “The amount of plastic waste in the ocean is alarming, considering that it generally takes 500 to 1,000 years for them to degrade,” said CCC Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje. “Ocean clean-up should be our last resort. What we do – immediately – is to reject single-use plastics and ramp up our waste management system in our households and communities.” He pointed out that under the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., “we have developed the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) to point us in the right direction when dealing with the plastics challenge that exacerbates our climate crisis.” The NAP outlines a whole-of-nation approach to addressing the country’s vulnerability to climate change and disaster risks. It is aligned with the Philippine Action Plan for Sustainable Consumption and Production (PAP4SCP), and supports the implementation of key policies such as the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act, which mandates large companies to manage the lifecycle of their plastic packaging waste. The sticker pack also serves as a show of support for the ongoing Third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3), taking place from June 9 to 13 in Nice, France. With the theme “Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean,” the conference aims to drive global efforts toward the sustainable use and protection of marine resources. To download the “Bawal Plastik Dito!” sticker pack and know more about CCC's programs and activities, visit https://linktr.ee/cccphl.
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND, 9 June 2025 — The Climate Change Commission (CCC), together with other government agencies, is currently participating in the Renewable Energy Project Management (REPM) Short Course under the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship Programme, fully funded by the New Zealand Government through its International Development Programme. The training, organized with the support of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Education New Zealand (Manapou ki te Ao), is designed to strengthen the capacity of professionals across Southeast Asia in managing renewable energy projects. Engr. Aimee S. Evangelista, representing the CCC, joins a four-member Philippine delegation, which includes representatives from the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), the Bangsamoro Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy (MENRE-BARMM), and ACEN, the recipient of the Department of Energy’s inaugural Sustainable Energy Award in 2024 and representing the private sector. The REPM course brings together professionals from Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Over four weeks, participants are being immersed in intensive training focused on the principles and application of project management in the context of renewable energy development. The scholarship was awarded to equip participants with the skills and experience necessary to contribute meaningfully to the social and economic development of their home countries upon return. Specifically, the training aims to deepen participants’ understanding of the opportunities and challenges associated with renewable energy deployment in the ASEAN region; strengthen their knowledge of project management frameworks and core principles; and develop practical skills to effectively apply project management methodologies in renewable energy initiatives. The course offers both technical and practical insights into a range of renewable energy technologies, including solar, wind, biomass, hydropower, and geothermal. The CCC’s participation in this programme underscores its continued commitment to building institutional capacity and enhancing the country’s ability to pursue low-carbon, climate-resilient energy pathways. The knowledge and tools gained through this international learning exchange will further support the implementation of the Philippines' climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies, aligned with the goals of the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP). The Climate Change Commission expresses its appreciation to the Government of New Zealand for its continued partnership and support in promoting regional cooperation on sustainable energy and climate action. For more information on the CCC’s climate mainstreaming activities, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.
The Climate Change Commission (CCC) welcomed the Department of Finance’s (DOF) successful mobilization of EUR 250 million (PHP 15.79 billion) in concessional funding from the French government through the Agence Française de Développement (AFD). Secured under the Climate Change Action Plan, Subprogram 2 (CCAP2), the funding is set to fast-track the country’s transition to a climate-resilient and low-carbon economy. The CCC recognizes that this milestone supports the effective execution of the Philippines’ Nationally Determined Contribution Implementation Plan (NDCIP), which outlines the country’s roadmap for achieving its climate targets through sectoral actions, enabling policies, and access to finance, technology, and capacity-building. This financing reinforces the NDCIP’s goal of accelerating a just, inclusive, and science-based transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient development pathway. The CCC is a key implementing agency of policies under the CCAP framework, particularly those that strengthen climate governance, resilience building, and low-carbon development pathways. The Commission expresses its gratitude to the Government of France, AFD, and partner institutions, including the Asian Development Bank and the Japan International Cooperation Agency, for their sustained support. “This investment reflects the growing confidence of the international community in the Philippines’ climate leadership,” said CCC Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje. “It also shows how strong partnerships anchored on shared principles and climate justice can create life-changing, lasting impact, especially for our most vulnerable communities. We must ensure that every peso is matched with integrity, urgency, and inclusive action on the ground,” Borje added. Anchored on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call for innovative, inclusive, and transformative solutions to the climate crisis, the agreement reflects a shared global commitment to empower vulnerable communities and accelerate the country’s transition to a low-carbon economy. The CCC stands ready to work closely with the DOF and relevant agencies in ensuring that climate finance translates into transformative action for Filipino communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis.
MANILA - The Climate Change Commission (CCC) welcomed the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) forthcoming approval of a US$400 million loan to strengthen marine ecosystems and advance the Philippines’ blue economy under its National Adaptation Plan (NAP). The loan, announced by ADB President Masato Kanda at the 16th Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit, is set for approval this year and marks a pivotal step in scaling up climate adaptation efforts. The CCC underscored the importance of the loan as a key enabler of marine protection and the sustainable management of the country’s coastal resources. Healthy marine ecosystems, most of which serve as vital carbon sinks, also provide livelihood opportunities for millions of Filipinos and act as buffers against climate-induced disasters. CCC Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje described the financial assistance as a crucial step toward the implementation of the NAP. “This step may be perceived negatively because it is a finance facility, but viewed strategically, it is an investment that will strengthen our capacity to prepare for and respond to climate-related disasters. In the long term, it can significantly reduce losses and the need for emergency funding,” Borje said. “The funding presents a great opportunity to bolster our oceans and ecosystems, which are among our most important natural defenses against the climate crisis,” he added. The funding is being made available to assist the country in the implementation of its National Adaptation Plan. The NAP serves as the Philippines’ primary policy tool for building long-term climate resilience. It guides adaptation strategies focused on vulnerable communities and ecosystems. Developed under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., it reflects his vision of a climate-resilient and climate-smart Philippines. The NAP also prioritizes resource allocation, ensures policy coherence, mobilizes financing, and promotes inclusive stakeholder participation. One of its key priorities is the rehabilitation and restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems. This includes safeguarding vital coastal habitats such as mangroves, coral reefs, seagrass beds, and other ecosystems with strong adaptation potential. Based on the NAP assessment, ecosystems provide critical protection against climate hazards and contribute billions of pesos annually through ecosystem services. Fisheries, which form part of these ecosystems, are a major source of livelihood and contribute to 75% of the food consumed in the country, which is sourced locally. However, it was also indicated that these natural systems are increasingly at risk due to human-induced activities and climate-related impacts. This underscores the urgency of conserving and protecting our oceans to secure food sources, community resilience, and sustainable development. This underscores the strategies outlined in the NAP to build resilience across key sectors, including the blue economy, by aligning national and local priorities with climate risk assessments and science-based planning. It includes specific strategies to support marine ecosystems and coastal communities, including strengthening infrastructure resilience, safeguarding livelihoods through social protection and regulatory measures, and scaling up nature-based solutions such as mangrove restoration and coral reef rehabilitation. The CCC remains hopeful for the loan’s approval and reaffirms its commitment to mobilizing resources to protect the country's future against the intensifying impacts of climate change. For more information on the CCC’s climate mainstreaming activities, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.
Pandan, Antique – In a convergence of efforts, the Climate Change Commission (CCC), in partnership with the Office of Senator Loren Legarda and the University of the Philippines Visayas Extension Campus in Pandan, Antique, spearheaded “Daluyong ng Pagbabago: Adaptation and Resilience for Our Oceans,” an action-oriented forum that aimed to draw commitments from local stakeholders to collaborate on sustainable ocean management. The forum convened over 100 ocean experts, community leaders, scientists, youth advocates, and policymakers to align national and local strategies for ocean resilience and climate adaptation. It aimed to strengthen multisectoral collaboration on ocean governance and called for inclusive implementation of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP). In her keynote address, Senator Loren Legarda emphasized the Philippines’ moral and ecological duty to lead ocean sustainability efforts, especially as one of the world’s most vulnerable marine nations. “The Ocean is not just a backdrop. It is our lifeline,” she said. “When corals die, so do fish stocks. When mangroves vanish, villages lose their shield against storms. When plastic chokes our waters, it chokes our children’s future.” She anchored her message on Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action) and 14 (Life Below Water), warning that “global targets mean little without local action.” She highlighted key legislation she has championed, such as the Climate Change Act and the Philippine Ecosystem Natural Capital Accounting System (PENCAS) Act, and called on local governments to follow Antique’s lead by banning single-use plastics and investing in marine sanctuaries. She also reiterated her commitment to passing the Blue Economy Act to institutionalize sustainable ocean practices. As the Philippines prepares for its participation in the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France, Legarda said, “We carry a simple truth: The ocean is a solution. It is our bridge to each other, to survival, to legacy. Let us become that unstoppable tide.” Furthermore, CCC Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje emphasized that the Philippines, as one of the most ocean-reliant and climate-vulnerable nations, must lead global efforts in ocean resilience, not just with plans, but with action. He underscored the need for urgent, inclusive implementation of national priorities such as the National Adaptation Plan, the Philippine Development Plan, and the Blue Economy Roadmap, calling for stronger cross-sectoral collaboration and the amplification of marginalized voices, especially those of fisherfolk, Indigenous Peoples, women, and the youth. “But plans are not enough,” Borje said. “What we need is shared commitment to see these plans through.” He emphasized that even the most comprehensive strategies will fall short without decisive, collective action. Moreover, he urged institutions to break down silos, build bridges, and ensure that climate and ocean solutions are rooted in equity and inclusivity, especially for the most vulnerable communities who are at the frontline of climate impacts. The forum also featured case study presentations from the University of Antique–Tario Lim Memorial Campus, UP Visayas, Rare Philippines, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources Western Visayas, showcasing innovative local solutions to marine biodiversity protection, sustainable fisheries, and coastal adaptation. During a presentation on community empowerment and policy advocacy for coastal resilience, Lovella Mae Magluyan, Program Manager of Rare Philippines in Antique, underscored the vital but often overlooked role of fisherfolk leaders in advancing coastal protection. “We also need to recognize the efforts of our fisherfolk, kasi nga volunteer lang sila,” she said, emphasizing the need to value the contributions of community members who dedicate time and effort to these initiatives without formal compensation. In her closing remarks, CCC Commissioner Rachel Anne S. Herrera expressed both hope and urgency. “Let us translate the insights and commitments from this forum into concrete actions in your respective sectors and localities. Let us continue our Filipino tradition of bayanihan—community cooperation to achieve collective goals,” she said. CCC Commissioner Albert Dela Cruz emphasized the ecological and economic value of oceans, not only for the present generation, but for future ones. He warned that the worsening effects of climate change pose a serious threat to marine resources, which heightens the call for urgent collective action and strengthened sustainability programs. “Our oceans are vital carbon sinks, absorbing excess carbon emissions and helping to slow the pace of global warming,” said Commissioner Dela Cruz. “They serve as natural barriers against climate change and support global stability. Isa ito sa mga pangunahing pinagkukunan natin ng pagkain at kabuhayan, lalo na para sa mga kababayan nating nakatira malapit sa dalampasigan. Isa ito sa mga pinakamahalagang yaman ng Pilipinas kaya naman ito ay kailangan nating patuloy na alagaan at pagyamanin.” As the Philippines heads to UNOC3, Daluyong ng Pagbabago reinforced the country’s commitment to ocean-centered, people-powered, and science-based climate leadership.
