The Climate Change Commission joined the first public briefing to the Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change to present the country’s climate realities.

MANILA, Philippines – The Climate Change Commission (CCC) presented the current climate realities of the Philippines to the Senate Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change yesterday.

CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje stressed the urgency of addressing the global climate crisis and its compounding effects on the Philippines.

“Between 2011 and 2021, tropical cyclones caused ₱673 billion in damages. By 2030, climate projections warn of ₱83 billion in infrastructure losses and ₱466 billion in productivity losses from extreme heat, alongside accelerating sea level rise,” Borje reported. “These figures highlight the need for innovative solutions and a whole-of-society approach to climate action.”

The briefing was presided over by Committee Chairperson Senator Camille A. Villar and Vice Chairperson Senator Erwin T. Tulfo, who led discussions on environmental challenges and the implementation of ecological laws.

Senator Villar emphasized the severe flash floods experienced across the country and the overwhelming volume of plastic waste, pointing to the far-reaching impacts of tropical storms that continue to erode national resilience.

The Climate Impacts Tracker Asia reported that seven of the world’s top 10 plastic-polluting rivers are in the Philippines, where they act as a major conduit for plastic waste, with sachet products as the biggest contributor.

“Dahil sa ating kulturang nakasandal sa mga murang paisa isang produkto, billions of single-use plastics and sachets end up in our landfills, rivers and oceans every year. However, this is the reality of our economy and one that we should address,” Villar said.

She also cited the landmark Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, authored by Senator Loren Legarda two decades ago. While the law laid the foundation for waste management, Villar noted it has struggled in terms of localized implementation.

“The challenge now is the harmonization of the implementation of RA 9003 [Solid Waste Management Act], ensuring that the local government units and the private sector work hand in hand,” she added.

Senator Tulfo, for his part, raised concerns about flood control, stating that stronger typhoons and heavier rains brought by climate change demand long-lasting and more science-based solutions.

In addressing these complex and compounding challenges, the CCC emphasized the importance of systems thinking and design, guided by science-based and data-driven frameworks.

“Flooding brought by intense rains and strong tropical cyclones is a complex problem shaped by multiple factors over time. That’s why we approach this issue using systems thinking, integrating expertise across sectors such as agriculture, energy, and transportation,” Borje explained.

“This collaborative and data-driven approach allows us to anticipate future risks and carefully design policies and projects that remain robust under multiple scenarios. Addressing climate impacts requires a whole-of-nation effort, where different agencies and experts work together to develop solutions that can withstand the effects of climate change,” he added.

This is one of the strategies outlined in the National Adaptation Plan (NAP), a framework designed to guide tailored adaptation strategies for each community based on its specific vulnerabilities.

The Philippines’ first-ever NAP was developed in 2024 under the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.,  through consultations between and among the CCC and various government agencies, focusing on the impacts of climate change, such as heavier rains and stronger typhoons that cause flooding.

The NAP aims to steadily reduce climate-related loss and damage, build the country's adaptive capacity towards transformative resilience and sustainable economic development by 2050.

Other environmental issues were also raised in the briefing, with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) providing updates on the enforcement of relevant laws.

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