In response to the urgency for action on climate change, the Philippines passed Republic Act 9729, also known as the Climate Change Act of 2009, anchored on the constitutional provision which states that “it is the policy of the State to afford full protection and the advancement of the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology… to fulfill human needs while maintaining the quality of the natural environment for current and future generations.”  RA 9729 provides, among others the following:

•  Establishment of a Climate Change Commission, an independent and autonomous body that has the same status as that of a national government agency. The CCC is under the Office of the President and is the “sole policy-making body of the government which shall be tasked to coordinate, monitor and evaluate the programs and action plans of the government relating to climate change pursuant to the provisions of this Act.” (Section 4).

•  The Commission shall be composed of the President of the Republic of the Philippines who shall serve as the Chairman, and three (3) Commissioners to be appointed by the President, one of whom shall serve as the Vice Chairperson of the Commission. (Section 5)

•  The LGUs as frontline agencies in the formulation, planning and implementation of climate change action plans in their respective areas, shall formulate their Local Climate Change Action Plan, consistent with the provisions of the Local Government Code, the Framework, and the National Climate Change Action Plan. (Section 14)

•  Inter-local government unit collaboration shall be maximized in the conduct of climate- related activities. (Section 14)

    a)  Ensure the mainstreaming of climate change, in synergy with disaster risk reduction, into the national, sectoral and local development plans and programs;
    b)  Coordinate and synchronize climate change programs of national government agencies;
    c)  Formulate an Framework Strategy on Climate Change to serve as the basis for a program for climate change planning, research and development, extension and monitoring of activities on climate change;
    d)  Exercise policy coordination to ensure the attainment of goals set in the framework strategy and programs on climate change;
    e)  Recommend legislation, policies, strategies, programs on the appropriations for climate change adaptation and mitigation and other related activities;
    f)  Recommend key development investments in climate-sensitive sectors such as water resources, agriculture, forestry, coastal and marine resources, health and infrastructure to ensure the achievement of national sustainable development goals;
    g)  Create an enabling environment for the design of relevant and appropriate risk-sharing and risk-transfer instruments;
    h)  Create an enabling environment that shall promote broader multi-stakeholder participation and integrate climate change mitigation and adaptation;
    i)  Formulate strategies on mitigating GHG and other anthropogenic causes of climate change;
    j)  Coordinate and establish a close partnership with the National Disaster Coordinating Council (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council) in order to increase efficiency and effectiveness in reducing the people’s vulnerability to climate related disasters;
    k)  In coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs, represent the Philippines in the climate change negotiations;
    l)  Formulate and update guidelines for determining vulnerability to climate change impacts and adaptation assessments and facilitate the provision of technical assistance for their implementation and monitoring;
    m)  Coordinate with local government units (LGUs) and private entities to address vulnerability to climate change impacts of regions, provinces, cities and municipalities;
    n)  Facilitate capacity building for local adaptation planning, implementation and monitoring of climate change initiatives in vulnerable communities and areas;
    o)  Promote and provide technical and financial support to local research and development programs and projects in vulnerable communities and areas; and
    p)  Oversee the dissemination of information on climate change, local vulnerabilities and risks, relevant laws and protocols and adaptation and mitigation measures.