The Climate Change Commission (CCC), led by Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje, joined the Islamic Climate Change Summit organized by the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), where government officials, religious leaders, and community representatives gathered to affirm the vital role of the Muslim Filipino community in advancing climate action and resilience.

Quezon City – The Climate Change Commission (CCC) highlighted the significant role of the Muslim Filipino community in advancing climate action and resilience at the Islamic Climate Change Summit, with the theme, “Leadership through Faith and Action for a Resilient Muslim Community.”

Organized by the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), the summit brought together community leaders and Islamic scholars, including ulama, imams, ustadh and ustadha, asatidz, and aleema, to highlight and integrate the Muslim community’s contribution to addressing the climate change crisis and disaster risk reduction.

The CCC underscored that faith-based leadership is a vital partner in building resilient communities, highlighting the alignment of Islamic teachings with sustainable practices and environmental stewardship. The Commission’s initiatives are in line with the policy pronouncements of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., which emphasize national resilience and the empowerment of all sectors and communities in the fight against climate change.

Moreover, the Commission reaffirmed its commitment to continuously engage the Muslim community in developing and implementing localized climate strategies.

“We envision a climate-smart and climate-resilient Philippines—where no region is left vulnerable, and where every community, whether Muslim, Christian, or Lumad, thrives in peace and prosperity while pursuing the future you rightfully deserve,” CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje said.

Several distinguished leaders and representatives from government, academe, and religious institutions conveyed their messages of support, including Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla; Senator Robinhood Padilla, represented by Samira Gutoc; Senate Committee on Climate Change Chair Senator Camille Villar; and Secretary Leo Tereso A. Magno of the Mindanao Development Authority.

In her message, Villar recalled that challenges such as stronger typhoons, rising sea levels, food insecurity, and the displacement of vulnerable communities are calling us to act with urgency, courage, and collective purpose.

Furthermore, the chair of the Senate committee on Cultural Communities and Muslim Affairs, Senator Padilla, expressed that this summit is more than just an event of scholars and leaders. He described it as both a call of faith and a call to action.

“Sa pamamagitan ng karunungan ng ating mga ulama, ng lakas ng ating mga komunidad, at ng patnubay ng ating paniniwala, makalilikha tayo ng isang matatag na pamayanang Muslim na handang humarap sa krisis pangklima nang may tapang, malasakit, at paninindigan,” Padilla said.

Meanwhile, Remulla, through Assistant Secretary for International Relations Lilian M. De Leon, emphasized the importance of building partnerships with organizations, specifically mentioning the GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) and the CCC, to mainstream resilience and empower local governments and communities in addressing climate and disaster risks.

In his message, NCMF Secretary Sabuddin N. Abdurahim underscored that the summit is more than just a gathering—it is a call to transform faith into concrete action. He emphasized that addressing climate change goes beyond science and politics, framing it as a profound moral and spiritual responsibility rooted in humanity’s duty of stewardship.

“This summit transcends a miracle to action. It stands as a powerful reaffirmation of our faith, our guiding principles, and our shared duty to safeguard the earth entrusted to our stewardship by Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala,” Abdurahim said.

Key outcomes of the summit included the recognition of Muslim leaders’ initiatives in addressing disaster risks and the forging of commitment to Islamic climate action plans. Apart from lectures and panel discussions, highlights also included the signing of the Islamic Declaration of Commitment on Climate Change Action for a Resilient Muslim community. These efforts aim to strengthen institutional and community-driven approaches to resilience within Muslim communities.