By virtue of Republic Act 10174 of 2012, the People’s Survival Fund (PSF) is established to provide long stream finance for adaptation projects of local government units and local/community organizations aimed at increasing resilience of communities and ecosystems to climate change.
There is an annual allocation of at least PhP 1 billion pesos, which can be augmented through donations, endowments, grants and contributions.
The PSF is being managed by a Board, lodged under the Commission, composed of the following:
Siargao Climate Field School for Farmers and Fisherfolk
In 2016, the PSF Board approved the project proposal of Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte entitled, "Siargao Climate Field School for Farmers and Fisherfolk".
Through the PSF, Del Carmen will soon complete the establishment of one of the country's pioneer research institutions focused on capacitating farmers and fisherfolks on climate change adaptation.
The Climate Field School is an opportunity to improve their current fishing and farming practices and to introduce agricultural technologies towards food security.
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (Ridge-to-Reef) as an Adaptation Mechanism to Resiliency
In 2016, the PSF Board approved the project proposal of Lanuza, Surigao del Sur entitled ‘Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (Ridge-to-Reef) as an Adaptation Mechanism to Resiliency’.
With funding support from the PSF, the LGU will employ a ridge-to-reef approach in strengthening the resilience of the locality’s ecosystems and vulnerable settlements.
The project includes interventions such as watershed management and protection, rehabilitation and propagation of mangrove ecosystem along the riverine, enrichment of forest cover, and provision of alternative livelihood opportunities.
Promoting Resiliency and a Climate-Informed Gerona
In 2017, the PSF Board approved the project proposal of Gerona, Tarlac entitled ‘Promoting Resiliency and a Climate-Informed Gerona’.
With support from PSF, Gerona aims to strengthen their adaptive capacity and elevate their level of preparedness through the establishment of early warning systems and water resource management.
Through the PSF, the LGU has already started the acquisition of various instruments such as evaporating pan, thermometer shelter, standard rain gauge, tipping bucket, event recorder, and atmospheric barometer.
To implement the project, the municipality has partnered with the Rice Watch Action Network Inc (R1) which has an existing initiative on establishing Gerona's Climate Resiliency Field School (CRFS) which is a capacity building program for farmers on climate-resilient farming and organic agriculture.
Complementary to the CRFS, model types of houses using the 'earth dome technology' are also implemented by the LGU. With the premise of strengthening the flood resistance of structures, these earth domes form part of Gerona's extensive research on the climate-proofing of housing infrastructures, while serving as potential venue for the CRFS activities.
Building Resiliency through Ecological-based Farming
In 2017, the PSF Board approved the proposal of San Francisco, Camotes Island, Cebu entitled ‘Building Resiliency through Ecological-based Farming’.
According to the climate projections of PAGASA from 2020-2050, the Province of Cebu will experience an average increase in temperature of 1.2 degrees Celsius, resulting for the province, including the Camotes Islands, to experience longer dry period and warmer temperatures.
Given these scenarios, the locality envisions to attain a strengthened water governance through establishing systems on Water Resources and Development Management (WRDM). The WRDM includes institutional formation of networks between water service providers and consumers, including the agriculture sector residing from nearby communities.
The project also involves the development of various climate-adaptive livelihood opportunities and capacity-building activities on Climate-Resilient Family Farm Planning and WRDM technologies for the local farmers.
The LGU is in partnership with the Philippine Partnership for the Development of the Human Resources in Rural Areas (PhilDHRRA) to carry-out its project components.
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Establishment and Sustainable Management of River Ecosystems in Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte
In 2018, the PSF Board approved the project proposal of the Municipality of Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte entitled ‘Establishment and Sustainable Management of River Ecosystems in Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte’.
With funding from the PSF, the municipality intends to promote and implement sustainable climate change adaptation practices to communities within the river ecosystems through the conduct of various capacity-building activities, establishment of the Watershed Management Office, and development of climate-resilient support livelihood focusing on agroforestry plantation of indigenous trees and undercrops.
The project also aims to safeguard the settlements along the riverside through the installation of buffer protection and gabion structure on the curve sections of Mamcas and Piyanga Rivers.
Saub Watershed Ecosystem Rehabilitation and Flood Risk Reduction for Increased Resilience
In 2018, the PSF Board approved the project proposal of the Province of Sarangani entitled ‘Saub Watershed Ecosystem Rehabilitation and Flood Risk Reduction for Increased Resilience’.
In coordination with the local government of Maitum, Sarangani, the project aims to improve the resilience of Saub Watershed Ecosystem against flood and other associated risks caused by sudden rainfall increase.
Project components include capacity development on sustainable management of watershed facilities, agroforestry development, and implementation of watershed resource profiling as part of the Saub Watershed Management Plan.
Furthermore, the improvement of the existing communal irrigation system (CIS) may reduce the vulnerability of the agriculture sector to various flooding and other climate-related risks.
