CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje meets with FAO’s Country Representative Dr. Lionel Dabbadie to discuss areas of cooperation on climate action and food security.

MANILA, 4 November 2023 — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) and the Food and Agriculture Office (FAO) yesterday vowed to take resolute action, further cementing their cooperation to strengthen the country's food system against the impacts of climate change.

The discussion revolved around the Philippines’ agriculture sector, which contributes approximately 8.9% of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and the challenges it faces due to climate change. Severe typhoons and prolonged droughts have resulted in substantial loss and damages to the agricultural landscape, amounting to PHP 260.45 billion from 2012-2022. 

These adverse weather events have not only impacted the livelihoods of 4.5 million Filipino farmers and fisherfolks but have also disrupted the country's food supply chain, posing a threat to food security.

Considering these challenges, CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje emphasized, “It’s important to recognize the link between food, agriculture, and climate change. Our focus is to ensure that our stakeholders are climate-resilient, and this can be achieved through the delivery of means of implementation, particularly technology development and transfer. This strategic approach is pivotal in building a climate-resilient agriculture sector and safeguarding the livelihoods of millions of Filipinos.” 

The CCC aligns its efforts with the Philippines' National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP), which addresses climate change impacts, including food security. The NCCAP outlines comprehensive strategies to enhance the country's adaptive capacity and resilience, emphasizing the importance of sustainable agriculture and food systems in the face of climate change.

The CCC and FAO discussed possible areas for partnerships, such as enhancing the capacities of local government units and improving the country’s climate reports.

Joining FAO Philippines Country Representative Dr. Lionel Dabbadie were Ms. Suzette Simondac-Manilay, Environmental Programme Coordination, and Ms. Nikki Antonette De Vera, Programme Coordination Specialist.

The FAO is an agency of the United Nations that focuses on eliminating world hunger. The Philippines is one of the founding members of FAO since its establishment in 1945, and a Representation was established in 1978. FAO works closely with the Philippine government in the areas of agriculture, forestry, fisheries, food security, nutrition, and rural development.

For more information about the CCC’s climate mainstreaming activities, visit the website of the CCC at https://climate.gov.ph and https://facebook.com/cccphl.