21 January 2018. The Climate Change Commission welcomes the appointment of Atty. Rachel Anne Sibugan Herrera as climate change commissioner. “The appointment of Atty. Herrera brings stability and motivation to the Commission to do more and to do better in the midst of the enormous challenge of climate change to the Filipino nation,” Climate Change Secretary Emmanuel De Guzman said. Herrera is backed by 13 years of experience in environmental law and climate change legislation. She was a member of the Philippine Delegation to the 23rd Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the 2016 High-Level Signing Ceremony of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, and the 3rd UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction. Before the appointment, Herrera provided legal and technical advice to the Senate and the International Committee of the Red Cross. She also worked as a court attorney at the Supreme Court. She is a graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Law and has a B.S. Environmental Science degree from Ateneo de Manila University. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte appointed Herrera to the Commission last Tuesday, to serve the unexpired term of former Commissioner Frances Veronica Victorio, which ends in January 2022.

The Climate Change Commission (CCC) threw its support to the ongoing "Tanggal Bulok, Tanggal Usok" (TBTU) campaign of the Inter-Agency Council for Traffic (i-ACT). In a statement, CCC Vice Chair and Secretary Emmanuel De Guzman said, "any further delay or slowing down in our country's efforts to minimize and adapt to the impacts of climate change poses lethal danger to the lives of present and future generations." According to de Guzman, climate and people-friendly public utility transport is long overdue. “Climate change is caused by the unabated increase of carbon in the atmosphere. Next to electricity and heat production, the country's transport sector drives the increase of the energy sector’s greenhouse gas emissions, which increased by 43 MtCO2e from 1990 to 2012,” he added. "We laud the efforts of i-ACT as it is consistent with the 1.5°C warming limit goal of the Paris Agreement. We cannot ignore the global clamor for collective climate action,” De Guzman pointed out. De Guzman also recognizes the implications of black carbon to human health. “Our problem with black carbon does not only affect our climate. Inhalation of this substance coming from dilapidated and smoke belching jeepneys and buses is mostly associated with health problems including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and even birth defects, so it is high time for us to make a move and address this issue.”  The i-ACT, for its part, welcomed CCC's support saying, "CCC's favorable response reinforces the rationale and necessity of the TBTU campaign that aims to ensure that public utility vehicles (PUVs) are constantly road worthy and safe for public use." I-ACT communications head Elmer Argaño, a member of the country's delegation to the 21st Conference of Parties last 2015, said, "We cannot let sectoral interest rule over national welfare that, at the same time, takes for granted our dying Mother Earth." Department of Transportation (DoTR) Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure, Thomas Orbos, who heads the i-ACT said, "We are happy with the widening and deepening support to our TBTU campaign, as manifested by CCC's recent statement of support."  "Our campaign is not a fight against our fellow public utility drivers and operators. Rather, it is a fight against the perils and harm those road unworthy and unsafe public utility vehicles bring to people, to the community and our planet," Orbos emphasized. Last 2017, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed the Paris Agreement on Climate Change—the first-ever legally-binding global agreement on climate change signed by 194 countries.

The Climate Change Commission, in partnership with the Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation-Disaster Risk Reduction (CCAM-DRR) Cabinet Cluster, spearhead the very first National Convention on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction on December 6-8, 2017. This two-and-a-half-day National Convention at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila aims to promote a common understanding among the participants on CCAM-DRR concepts; raise awareness about the best practices on building climate resilience and preparing for the “Big Ones”; and identify prevailing CCAM-DRR issues and recommend actions with specific deliverables. “The choices and the actions we make today will impact the outcomes of disasters tomorrow. Whether we will rise in the face of disasters is up to us. Let us continue to build resilience through disaster risk reduction management for a more profitable and sustainable future,” said Asec. Kristoffer James Purisima of the Civil Defense during his opening remarks. Parallel session and plenary topics highlight the first and second days recognizing the local government units’ (LGUs) different capacity levels in implementing Local Climate Change Action Plans (LCCAP), including the different sectoral concerns on CCAM-DRR, including risk governance, agriculture, environment, and protection of vulnerable sectors. These will emphasize the alignment of policy, science, and citizens in achieving resilience using climate impact assessment, technological innovations, resource mobilization among other critical intervention, specifically the Convention. This seeks to deepen the engagement with LGUs and stakeholders in accessing climate financing as well as leveling up local projects on adaptation and mitigation. Moreover, a plenary session for discussing contingency plans as a response to the impact scenarios and hazards presentations will take place on the third day. “We in the Climate Change Commission initiated this National Convention to converge our strategies and complement our efforts to addressing climate and disaster risks at the local level,” Vice Chairman and Secretary of the Climate Change Commission, Sec. Emmanuel de Guzman said in his keynote address. The delegates of the National Convention are representatives from both national and local governments, international partners, the science and technology community, and provincial, city and municipal Risk Reduction Management Officers. Sec. De Guzman further articulated that for us to build a more resilient community to disaster and climate change, we must keep the momentum by scaling up our efforts and collaborating on more initiatives to sustain a safer, more secure and sustainable future for all Filipinos.

The Climate Change Commission (CCC) held the Second National Panel of Technical Experts (NPTE) forum with the theme, “Strengthening Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems and Services” on December 5 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila. This forum was designed to foster exchange of knowledge on strengthening multi-hazard early warning system (MHEWS) and initiate discussions towards improving the implementation of innovative solutions to address climate change. “Knowing and understanding disaster risk and how climate change magnifies this risk is key to the effective reduction of loss and damage resulting from the impacts of natural hazards,” Climate Change Commission Secretary Emmanuel de Guzman said. This forum is part of a series of Experts’ Forums which is envisioned to communicate vital information, observations, recommendations, and best practices with various partner organizations until the end of 2017. The keynote address was delivered by the president of the National Resilience Council (NRC), Ms. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga followed by a presentation entitled Moving Towards Multi-Hazard Impact-based Forecasting and Warning by Dr. Leoncio Amadore of the NPTE. Presentations on climate change projection and effective reduction of loss and damage resulting from the impacts of natural hazards were also conducted. This forum emphasized the value of science in informing policy and practice in the context of CCAM-DRR towards resilient communities and sustainable development. “This is the spirit that inspires our gathering today. Our forum aims to foster exchange of knowledge on strengthening multi-hazard early warning systems and initiate discussions towards improving the implementation of innovative solutions to address climate change and to manage disaster risks,” Sec. de Guzman added. A highlight of the event was the signing of the Pledge of Partnership for Resilience between the CCC and NRC.

Following the theme “Aligning Science, Policy, And Practice For Climate Change and Disaster Resilience,” the second day celebration of the CCC Week held at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila was filled with pro-active and action-oriented discussions on climate data and procedures addressing the country’s need to adapt and to be resilient on the impacts of climate change. “The changing risk factors caused by climate change demand adaptation, including comprehensive efforts to reduce vulnerability to hazards and more proactive measures to minimize climate change impacts,” CCC Sec. Emmanuel de Guzman said. The day kicked off with simultaneous forums focusing the ongoing efforts of the Commission in providing technical supports to LGUs by strengthening their Local Climate Action Plans (LCCAP) and setting policies and actions to building sector’s dilemma on greenhouse gas (GHG) by shaping their Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action (NAMA) towards a climate change-resilient community. The LCCAP is every community’s action plan outlining agendas identifying local actions to mitigate the potential impacts of climate change. The Communities for Resilience (CORE) Program of CCC shall assist LGUs in making their LCCAP science-based and risk sensitive, and will help them access the People’s Survival Fund. “We launched the CORE Program to help local communities adapt to climate change, reduce disaster risk and acquire enduring resilience. It does so by promoting science-based local development planning through training, peer-to-peer learning and excerpt mentoring by academic institutions,” Sec. Emmanuel de Guzman said. Meanwhile, the NAMA is intended to be the Philippines’ commitment to reduce or possibly GHG emissions from buildings by 70% by 2030 based on the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) submitted by the Philippines to United Nations. Side events were also held promoting transition towards green economy, optimization of the potentials of children in the poorest provinces of the country as agents of change, and risk insurance contributing in alleviating poverty and resiliency of the poor and vulnerable people.

In collaboration with the International Labour Organization, the Climate Change Commission commenced a joint policy development forum promoting transition towards green economy on November 21 at the Sofitel Philippines Plaza Manila. Following the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the issuance of the Green Jobs Act Implementing Rules and Regulations in September, the forum centered on informing the process of the transition towards low-carbon and climate-resilient economy. “In light of the very real and imminent threat posed by climate change to our economy and to our people, the national government has put in place policies that will facilitate our country’s transition to a greener economy—while ensuring a just transition that maximizes beneficial outcomes for all sectors of society,” Climate Change Commission Secretary Emmanuel De Guzman said.                                                                                                             This side event is a follow-up to the CCC-ILO roundtable series which aim to raise awareness and promote convergence among key stakeholders towards creating green jobs and ensuring a just transition to green economy; and consolidate and contribute inputs to the updating of the Philippine Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). Gracing the event were representatives from the Government, employers’ and workers’ groups, private sector, the academe, civil society, and other development partners.

The Climate Change Commission has lined up various events to mark the observance of this year’s 2017 Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness (CCC) Week, as mandated by Presidential Proclamation 1667 issued in 2008. With the theme “Aligning Science, Policy, And Practice For Climate Change and Disaster Resilience,” this year’s CCC Week will be held on November 20 to 24 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila. It will showcase expert presentations on climate data and the collective efforts of the different sectors of the society in pursuing the sustainable low-carbon and climate-resilient development pathway.  “This year, we are emphasizing the value of science informing policy and practice in the context of climate action. We want to highlight the significance of science in developing climate resiliency strategies and pathways, as well as in inspiring climate action from the different stakeholders,” Climate Change Secretary Emmanuel De Guzman said. The CCC Week will kick off with a forum focusing on the ongoing efforts to update the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) and to prepare the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The NCCAP is comprehensive action plan outlining the country’s agenda for adaptation and mitigation from 2011 to 2028. ”The NCCAP review was done through several rounds of multi-stakeholder consultations. It will help the Commission determine the gaps and come up with measures to fill it in,” De Guzman explained. Meanwhile, the NDC is intended to be the Philippines’ commitment to achieve the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement.  “Our NDC will define our roadmap on how we intend to transition towards a green economy. It would represent the core of the country’s new development plan,” De Guzman added. Other forums for the CCC Week will feature the various tools and systems for collating and verifying scientific data; the best mitigation and adaptation practices; and the significant role of businesses, health professionals, indigenous people, youth and the academe in addressing the impacts of climate change.

In order to promote broader multi-stakeholder participation and to mainstream climate change mitigation and adaptation in regional policy and planning processes, the Climate Change Commission (CCC) is set to bring its Expert Forum Series to state colleges and universities (SUCs) in five regions this year. In a special meeting with Secretary Emmanuel De Guzman and Commissioners Noel Gaerlan and Rachel Herrera, the CCC’s National Panel of Technical Experts (NPTE) approved the following themes for the expert lecture series: Water security in the midst of climate change in April (Ilocos Norte); Building the resilience of coastal communities and ecosystems to climate change in May (Tacloban, Cebu, or Iloilo); Renewable energy and climate change mitigation for sustainable development in July (Davao); CEO business summit on green jobs and green economic growth in August (Taguig); and The role of blue carbon in addressing climate change in November (Palawan). All forums will be free of charge. Final dates and venues will be made public as soon as the details are finalized with the partner SUCs. “It is of great importance that the scientific proficiency of our leading climate experts be made available to develop climate resilience strategies and pathways anchored on empirical or peer-reviewed data,” Climate Change Secretary Emmanuel De Guzman said. “This should inspire and lead the way for various climate action among our partner stakeholders,” he added. On September 18, 2017, the CCC launched its inaugural expert forum, entitled “Linking Science, Policy, and Practice for Climate and Disaster Resilience,” in partnership with the Oscar M. Lopez Center, a research institution that supports the use of science and technology for building climate-resilient communities. The forum brought together climate experts in various fields, including: Senator Loren Legarda, UNISDR Global Champion for Resilience and UNFCCC Adaptation Champion; Dr. Rosa Perez, member of the National Research Council of the Philippines, Environmental Impact Assessment Review Committee, and Manila Observatory; Dr. Rodel Lasco, expert in environment research, conservation, education, and development; Atty. Pete Maniego, Chairman of the UP Engineering Research and Development Foundation; and Dr. Rex Victor Cruz, Director of Environmental Forestry Programme of the University of the Philippines Los Baños’ (UPLB) College of Forestry and Natural Resources. This was followed by the second expert forum on “Strengthening Multi-hazard Early Warning Systems and Services in the Philippines” on December 5, 2017, which was organized in partnership with the National Resilience Council. The second expert forum featured experts, including: Dr. Leoncio Amadore from the UP Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology; Dr. Gemma Narisma, Regional Climate Systems Program Head of the Manila Observatory; and Dr. Celine Vicente, Geomatics Program Head of the Manila Observatory. Commissioner Herrera also emphasized the significance of science and research in the delivery of their mandate as the lead climate change policymaking body of the government. “Through this expert lecture series, we also deepen our knowledge and understanding on climate change, thereby allowing us to create more timely and appropriate climate policies and resolutions to address its effects. As we continue hosting these forums this year, we further allow science to guide us and inform our actions,” Herrera said.

3 April 2018. The Climate Change Commission (CCC) convened its Third National Panel of Technical Experts (NPTE) Forum on April 3 at the Teatro Ilocandia, Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) in Batac City, Ilocos Norte. With the theme “Water Security in the Midst of Climate Change,” this year’s forum aims to provide an effective exchange of best practices and trends on water security and climate change adaptation and mitigation measures among the academe, provincial offices and local government units of Ilocos Norte. “Considering the vulnerability of the region to drought and desertification brought about by climate change, the NPTE saw it fitting to undertake the third forum here at Ilocos Norte. At the same time, this is in conjunction with the Water Security summit conducted by the Provincial Government,” said Climate Change Commission Vice Chairperson Emmanuel de Guzman in his speech delivered by Atty. Efren MG. Bascos, Legal Chief of the agency. Highlights of the event were the presentations by NPTE members Ms. Lourdes Tibig, Dr. Carlos Primo David, Dr. Rex Victor Cruz and Dr. Felino Lansingan on Climatology, Water Security Strategies, Integrated Approaches to Watershed Management, and Smart Agriculture among others. An overview was presented by Dr. Glenn Roy Paraso. This forum is part of a series of Experts’ Forums envisioned to mobilize effective commitment and community-based action and mainstream climate change knowledge into development policies and practices. “The NPTE Forum of the Climate Change Commission was piloted in 2016 with the aim of creating an avenue for knowledge sharing on climate-change related issues among scientists, members of the academe, government and non-government agencies. Moving forward, we hope that these discussions lead to effective practices and policies from the national cascaded down to the local level,” de Guzman added. The keynote address was delivered by Batac Vice Mayor Jeffrey Jubal Nalupta. “After this forum, we shall all be provided with a deeper understanding of the climate trends in the region, the challenges it is currently facing in terms of addressing the impacts of climate change, specifically drought and desertification, and of course means to more effective adaptation strategies which shall reach even their farthest barangays,” de Guzman concluded. This 3rd NPTE Forum is in cooperation with the Office of the Governor, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region 1, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) – Laoag, MMSU, LGUs, and several state universities and colleges.