The Climate Change Commission joins the 35th Annual National Convention of the League of Local Planning and Development Coordinators of the Philippines to discuss the National Adaptation Plan and People's Survival Fund.

Pangasinan, Philippines – The Climate Change Commission (CCC) has commended the provincial government of Pangasinan for its climate action initiatives, disaster preparedness efforts, and environmental sustainability during the agency’s recent visit to the province.

Through a series of engagements with provincial government officials and local communities, the CCC recognized the province’s commitment to climate change adaptation and mitigation (CCAM).

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) of Pangasinan presented its key initiatives, including Project PARAAN, a risk assessment survey that evaluates community vulnerability to natural hazards, and the Green Canopy Project, which aims to plant one million trees in its third year of implementation. Plans such as the establishment of the Eztanza Native Tree Nursery and Project Kasilyas, which further support ecological conservation and climate resilience, were also discussed.

The CCC provided an overview of its programs and services, highlighting Pangasinan’s vulnerability to climate change impacts based on the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Provincial Risk Categorization. 

The agency also commended Pangasinan’s compliance with the Local Climate Change Action Plan (LCCAP), which enables all 48 of its local government units (LGUs) to design climate adaptation and mitigation projects tailored to their specific needs. The People’s Survival Fund (PSF) was introduced as a vital financial resource to support these initiatives.

“Pangasinan’s commitment to disaster risk preparedness is commendable, as reflected in its 100% LCCAP submission. When we talk about hazards, exposure, vulnerability, and capacity, we must see them not just as challenges but as part of a strategic game plan—an investment in community resilience. This is exactly what we witness here in Pangasinan,” said CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje.

The CCC also visited the PDRRMO’s 24/7 Operations Center and met with its Emergency Response Team. The PDRRMO underscored the province’s high vulnerability to fluvial and pluvial flooding, highlighting the importance of robust early warning systems. They also noted their use of climate and risk data from agencies, including the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAGASA), Office of Civil Defense (OCD), and Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).

The CCC delegation also visited the Bued Mangrove Propagation and Information Center in Alaminos, Pangasinan, which is home to a diverse mangrove species such as Rhizophora, Avicennia, and Sonneratia. Local eco-guides shared insights on the ecological importance of mangroves in carbon sequestration and coastal protection.

Alaminos City’s reforestation initiative follows a ridge-to-reef conservation approach, which integrates forestry management, watershed protection, and coastal rehabilitation to strengthen ecological sustainability, disaster risk reduction, and climate resilience.

“The challenge for us Filipinos is to dream bigger, aim higher, and aspire for a better future. But beyond excellence, we must commit to the quiet, unseen work—the daily acts of diligence and integrity—that, over time, will build a stronger, more resilient nation,” Borje said.

The CCC reaffirms its partnerships with local government units in advancing climate resilience, recognizing that collaboration at all levels is key to building a sustainable and adaptive future in a changing climate.

For more information on the CCC’s climate mainstreaming activities, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.