The Climate Change Commission, led by Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje, convened the agreement signing for the 2026 cohort scholars in the Sustainable Leadership Learning on Climate and Disaster Risk Reduction program. MANILA – The Climate Change Commission (CCC), in support of the Office of Senator Loren Legarda, continues its partnership with the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) to strengthen the capacity of climate leaders through the Sustainable Leadership Learning on Climate and Disaster Risk Reduction (SLL-CDRR) Scholarship Program. A signing ceremony was recently held for the new cohort of scholars, marking more than a formal agreement. “Today, you accepted a profound responsibility. You are now the designated champions within your respective agencies. The knowledge and skills you will acquire are not for your benefit alone; they are a trust granted to you by the Filipino people,” said Robert E.A. Borje, Vice Chairperson and Executive Director of the CCC. Supporting this message, Professor Erin L. Downey, Head of the Stephen Zuellig Graduate School of Development Management at AIM, emphasized, “This is far more than just paperwork. It is a commitment to your country and to the generations to follow. We look forward to witnessing the impact you will make. Let the work begin.” This marks the second year of the SLL-CDRR Program, which now welcomes the 2026 cohort. A total of 28 scholars were accepted, divided into two tracks: the Executive Masters in Disaster Risk and Crisis Management (EMDRCM) and the Master of Science in Data Science (MSDS). Under the EMDRCM program, 24 scholars will undertake an 18-month program focusing on management approaches to disasters and crises in the Asian region. The curriculum includes analytical methods, operational tools, and strategic systems that guide leaders in disaster risk and crisis management across different contexts and scales. Meanwhile, four scholars will pursue the 15-month MSDS program, deepening their expertise in data science and its role in formulating data-driven strategies to address real-world challenges, including those related to climate change and disaster risks. The scholars are expected to specialize in climate change adaptation and mitigation (CCAM) and disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM), producing academic outputs aligned with the CCC’s policy priorities. The program’s first batch, which started last year, is set to graduate in the coming days, further showcasing the program’s continued success in developing capable climate and disaster resilience leaders. Meanwhile, Borje extended his warmest congratulations to the 2025 cohort, noting that they are true agents of change whose leadership will shape programs and policies addressing climate and disaster risks nationwide. The SLL-CDRR scholars come from national government agencies with mandates related to climate change and disaster risk reduction. Their participation strengthens the government capacity to plan, implement, and scale policies and programs that address climate and disaster risks. The students undergo a rigorous selection process that includes evaluation of their climate-related work, aptitude tests, and interviews. In line with this, the selection of scholars ensures gender balance, with 50 percent of slots specifically allocated for women. Furthermore, the scholars come from a wide range of regions, including CAR, Regions II, III, IV, IV-A, VI, VII, VIII, IX, XI, XII, XIII, and NCR, ensuring diverse geographic representation across the country. Through the SLL-CDRR Program, the government aims to build strategic human capital in pursuit of its mandates on climate change adaptation and mitigation and disaster risk reduction and management, contributing to a Philippines that is more resilient, adaptive, and sustainable. The CCC extends its deepest gratitude to Senator Legarda for her continued support in nurturing climate leaders and strengthening their capacity to build a more climate-resilient Philippines. For more information on the CCC’s climate mainstreaming activities, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.
Participants from national government agencies, private sector, civil society organizations, academe and development partners convened in “Philippines NDC 2025: Raising Ambition Towards a Climate-Resilient Future” held on 03 December 2025 in Mandaluyong City. MANILA, Philippines | 3 December 2025 — As the Philippines continues preparations for its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) 2025 submission, the Climate Change Commission (CCC) engaged key partners in a stakeholder consultation to strengthen the country’s efforts to update the NDC based on evolving priorities and national circumstances. The consultation activity focused on presenting the indicative NDC 2025 overall and sectoral commitments, ensuring that these reflect national development priorities and stakeholder concerns. The Official Representative of the President to the CCC, Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) underscored the importance of recalibrating from the business-as-usual scenario to reflect the current economic realities and sectoral growth and improved emissions data. This recalibration, he noted, is crucial to strengthen accuracy, transparency and integrity. “To deliver on the NDC, we continue to fortify our monitoring, reporting and verification systems so that we can measure progress, identify gaps and refine policies as needed.” CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje emphasized that this part of the updating process scales up climate action and lays out a clear and ambitious pathway across all sectors that is anchored on transparency and broad ownership. “By linking our natural ecosystems with energy, transport, industry and agriculture, we are not just setting targets on paper, we are creating a roadmap that turns ambition into action that builds a resilient, low-carbon and inclusive future,” Borje said. Sectoral agencies—DENR, Department of Energy, Department of Transportation, and Department of Agriculture—presented their respective mitigation pathways, including finalized policies and measures (PAMS), mitigation potentials, and sectoral targets covering energy, transport, agriculture, forestry and land use (FOLU), waste, and industrial processes and product use (IPPU). These presentations underscored significant opportunities for emissions reduction and resilience-building, while also outlining challenges that require strengthened cooperation among national and local governments, the private sector, and development partners. In the afternoon breakout sessions, participants from government, civil society, academe, LGUs, and development partners engaged in open dialogues to provide detailed inputs on sectoral commitments. Discussions focused on ensuring that NDC targets are actionable, achievable, and aligned with local realities—particularly on just transition pathways, financing needs, capacity building, and monitoring and reporting mechanisms. Key messages from the breakout groups highlighted the need to accelerate renewable energy deployment, strengthen sustainable transport systems, protect natural ecosystems, ensure food security, scale up nature-based solutions, enhance waste management systems, and increase support for local governments who serve as frontliners in climate action. The CCC noted that insights gathered through the engagement will feed into the finalization of the NDC 2025, ensuring that the document not only raises ambition but also reflects a unified national effort to contribute to the global 1.5°C goal. These efforts aim to not only perform the whole-of-government approach alone, but also to highlight that the NDC pursues an economy-wide and whole-of-society approach to ensure legitimacy, broad ownership, and collective resolve needed to turn commitments into real and lasting outcomes.
Women and Youth Awardees of the Philippine Resilience Awards 2025 held at the Philippine Normal University as part of the 18th Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness Week. MANILA – The Philippine Resilience Awards (PRA) honored three women and five young climate champions whose initiatives are strengthening resilience in their communities. The ceremony was held at the Philippine Normal University in Manila as part of the 18th Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness Week (CCC Week). Nominees underwent rigorous assessment and field validation conducted by experts from partner institutions. The evaluation focused on how each initiative reduces vulnerability, strengthens local capacities, and advances innovation in climate and disaster resilience. From this process, exemplary awardees emerged in both the Women and Youth categories. In the Women’s Category, Undersecretary Diana Rose S. Cajipe of the Department of Social Welfare and Development was recognized for the Buong Bansa Handa Program, a supply chain model that enhances operational readiness in relief delivery. Jenelyn J. Salimbagat of the National University received recognition for the Family Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Plan (FEDPP), a household-based program that equips individuals—especially youth—with practical preparedness skills. Renebelita F. Fuentebella, Co-Founder and Vice Chair of Damit Dignidad Pilipinas, was recognized for leading the collection and distribution of pre-loved clothing and essential personal items for humanitarian response. Five young climate champions were recognized in the Youth Category: Raymart S. Garcia of Barangay Commonwealth, Quezon City, was awarded for the Reskyusi Food Basket Program, which addresses malnutrition and food wastage through sustainable food systems. Val Amiel Vestil from the Association of Young Environmental Journalists was honored for Kwentong Kalikasan, a storytelling initiative that builds ecological awareness and climate resilience. Shri Tahanie B. Macaumbao of the National Youth Council received recognition for Green by Design, which promotes waste reduction and water sustainability in communities around Lake Lanao. Engr. Christian B. Hernandez of Mindanao State University was recognized for Project MOSES, an Internet of Things (IoT) - based weather monitoring system that addresses gaps in localized, real-time weather data in Oriental Mindoro. Peter John C. Enorio of Cebu Technological University was honored for the Subang Environmental Initiatives, which restore degraded lands and empower communities through nature-based adaptation solutions. Now in its third year, and anchored on the theme “Kababaihan at Kabataan: Katuwang sa Paghahabi ng Isang Matatag na Bayan,” the PRA highlighted the essential role of women and young leaders in advancing a climate-resilient Philippines. Senator Loren Legarda described the awardees as changemakers redefining resilience leadership. “Resilience cannot be achieved without women and youth at the center. They are not victims to be saved; they are leaders, innovators, and torchbearers,” she said. Meanwhile, Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje of the Climate Change Commission (CCC) emphasized the importance of recognizing local climate champions. “By recognizing these leaders, we are more than admiring resilience; we are actively investing in it. We are shifting our paradigm from resilience as recovery to resilience as protection and prevention,” he said. The event gathered institutional partners and members of the PRA network, including Commissioner Rachel Anne S. Herrera of the Climate Change Commission; Mr. Silvestre Barrameda, Jr. as Executive Director of the National Resilience Council; Engr. Liza B. Silerio, Vice President of SM Prime and ARISE PH; Dr. Joseph Bacareza of ARISE PH; Commissioner Maria Jerika Larize E. Ejercito-Aguilar and Dr. Macario T. Jusayan of the Philippine Commission on Women; Assistant Secretary Gervy James Gumarit of the National Youth Commission; Assistant Secretary Lilian De Leon of the Department of the Interior and Local Government; and Mr. Antonio Emilio Tordesillas of WiNDRR Philippines. Members of the Field Validation Committee and Final Selection Board were also present. Initiated by Senator Legarda, the Philippine Resilience Awards is a multistakeholder program of the Climate Change Commission in collaboration with the Philippine Commission on Women, National Resilience Council, SM Prime, Women’s International Network on Disaster Risk Reduction, and ARISE Philippines. All awardees will receive continued support to expand and strengthen their resilience initiatives nationwide. For more inquiries, visit the PRA’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/PRAwards.PH.
The Climate Change Commission convenes a multi-sectoral cooperation signing to accelerate climate action and recognize the vital contributions of partners across sectors in the fight against climate change. MANILA – The Climate Change Commission (CCC) continues to strengthen the country’s climate agenda through a whole-of-nation approach that brings government, academe, civil society, and the private sector into unified action toward a climate-resilient Philippines. The CCC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with partners from various sectors to reaffirm and establish a shared climate agenda. Anchored in the theme “Strengthening Partnerships for Climate Action: Multi-Sectoral Cooperation Signing,” the initiative underscored the crucial role of collective work in addressing the climate crisis. Partners represent a wide range of sectors, including the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, government-owned and controlled corporations, Save the Children, Planoteerism, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Philippine Information Agency, Nueva Vizcaya State University, First Gen, and the United Nations World Food Programme. “In this critical decade, action cannot be delayed, and it cannot be shouldered by any single institution alone. This is the powerful truth that brings us together: climate change demands a whole-of-society response,” said Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje of the CCC. The signing formed part of the activities under the 18th Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness Week (CCC Week). “This signifies our solemn covenant between the NCIP and the CCC, alongside our partners. For us, this MOU is a powerful mechanism that ensures the wisdom and practices of Indigenous Cultural Communities are recognized, interfaced, and integrated,” said NCIP Chairperson Marie Grace T. Pascua. Nueva Vizcaya State University College Dean Jessie Pascual P. Bitog likewise emphasized the need for collaborative work to confront the global crisis. “We recognize that no single institution can address the climate crisis alone. Our experts are networked, and resources across our sectors create a powerful synergy that enables faster, broader, and more meaningful climate action.” Partners pledged, among other commitments, to advance joint climate communication and advocacy, support inclusive research, enhance local resilience, and strengthen climate change and disaster risk management through collaborative research, technical support, and policy guidance. The event also recognized individuals and long-standing partners for their contributions to climate action. Their dedicated efforts help build a climate-smart and climate-resilient Philippines. The CCC’s partners come from various sectors, including national government agencies, the private sector, civil society organizations, academic institutions, state universities and colleges, and media partners. All have demonstrated strong dedication and consistent support through awareness campaigns, technical assistance, and green initiatives. CCC Deputy Executive Director Romell Antonio O. Cuenca expressed his appreciation to the partners. “It is our privilege to honor the contributions of our partners. This recognition affirms the dedication and innovation each of you brings to this crucial fight. Your work inspires us all and sets the foundation for the results we continue to strive for.” The CCC remains steadfast in pursuing a whole-of-nation and whole-of-society approach to advance inclusive, progressive, and climate-resilient development for all Filipinos. For more information on the CCC’s climate mainstreaming activities, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.
Commissioner Rachel Anne Herrera of the Climate Change Commission with the organizers and participants of the Aus4ASEAN Sustainable Energy Transition and Green Skills Fellowship Regional Immersion. 24 November 2025 | Makati City —- The Climate Change Commission (CCC) called for deeper regional cooperation on shared policy standards, harmonized green jobs data, technology transfer, cross-border energy integration, and joint financing mechanisms to de-risk renewable energy projects at the Aus4ASEAN Sustainable Energy Transition and Green Skills Fellowship Regional Immersion. CCC Commissioner Rachel Anne S. Herrera, in her keynote address, noted that according to the 2024 Asia Pacific Climate Report, the energy sector—responsible for 77.6% of greenhouse gas emissions in developing Asia—is both the region’s most critical challenge and its most powerful opportunity. She stressed that while renewable energy investments are rising, a truly resilient transition requires systems that are “just, inclusive, and grounded in people’s lived realities.” Herrera highlighted the Philippines’ coherent energy transition framework anchored in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) and the NDC Implementation Plan (NDCIP). She outlined concrete energy-sector policies and measures, including expanding the share of renewables, strengthening energy efficiency and conservation, promoting low-carbon transport, and advancing the creation of smart grids and ensuring continuous power supply for remote and climate-vulnerable communities. These measures are supported by long-term strategies under the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP), National Adaptation Plan (NAP), and Philippine Energy Plan (PEP) 2020–2040, which targets 35% renewable energy by 2030 and 50% by 2040. Herrera also underscored the growing momentum among Philippine companies transitioning to low-carbon operations—highlighting geothermal leadership, reforestation partnerships, solar PV deployment, and industrial decarbonization efforts. She cited Ormoc City’s geothermal-powered development and solar-powered irrigation, as well as Marikina City’s low-emission strategy pursued through efficient public buildings and protected bicycle lanes, as examples of how national energy policy becomes meaningful at the community level. Central to her message was the principle of inclusion. Herrera emphasized that a just transition must support workers; micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) women; youth; and vulnerable sectors. She also noted that consultations for the updated NDC ensure that youth, women’s groups, farmers, and indigenous communities help shape the Philippines’ future energy pathway. She reaffirmed the Philippines’ strong commitment to the UNFCCC Just Transition Work Programme, stating that climate change requires solutions built on solidarity and shared responsibility. “You are not just participants—you are partners in shaping our region’s future,” Herrera said. “Let us lead this transition together—with purpose, with community, and with each other.” Organized by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the program convened youth energy and climate leaders from across ASEAN to explore regional leadership, policy pathways, and practical examples of low-carbon transformation.
