Local leaders, representatives from national government agencies, and academic partners join the CCC ACT Local Programme in Nueva Vizcaya, held in partnership with the Office of Senator Loren Legarda.

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) expanded the reach of its Accelerated Climate Action and Transformation for Local Communities or the ACT Local Programme, to Nueva Vizcaya, marking the initiative’s deeper integration with the academe and local institutions. This is to provide technical support to local government units (LGUs) in formulating and updating their Local Climate Change Action Plans (LCCAPs).

Held in partnership with the Office of Senator Loren Legarda, this second leg strengthened LGU capacities on risk-informed climate planning, putting an emphasis on the connection between climate action, education, and cultural heritage.

Underscoring the importance of local climate planning, Senator Legarda called on local government leaders and academic institutions in the province to ensure that their LCCAPs are updated and implemented in accordance with the Climate Change Act of 2009, as amended.

“All provinces and LGUs, municipalities, and cities must have LCCAPs, because how will we be able to withstand the challenges of natural hazards if we do not know our vulnerabilities and risks?” Legarda said, noting that climate adaptation must be grounded in science and local realities.

The Senator likewise highlighted the critical role of the CCC in supporting local governments through capacity-building initiatives such as ACT Local. “The CCC’s role is very important because it mainstreams national and local climate change adaptation plans in every LGU,” she said, adding that empowering local leaders to understand their risks is essential to building resilient and sustainable communities.

In his message, CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje stated that effective climate action begins with foresight and informed planning. “Disaster response is one thing; preparedness is another,” he said, underscoring that local climate plans must be grounded in science and reliable data.

“Ang plano ay hindi pwedeng kung ano lang ang maisip,  kailangang ito ay batay sa datos; science-based at data-driven,” he said, pointing out that frameworks such as the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) provide national direction but must be translated into localized action to truly protect communities.

Borje also highlighted the importance of nature-based solutions in sustaining Nueva Vizcaya’s ecosystems and livelihoods, urging participants to take ownership of their roles in climate governance.

“This gathering is a call to action for the local chef executives to act and decide. May we always remember that meaningful climate action begins with a conscious decision, followed by sustained commitment and collaboration,” he said.

The two-day training, which was held from 2 to 3 October 2025, engaged 11 LGUs across the province, and equipped their technical staff with science-based tools and knowledge on LCCAP formulation, climate projections, Climate and Disaster Risk Assessments (CDRA), Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory, Local Climate Change Expenditure Tagging (CCET), and access to the People’s Survival Fund (PSF).

Participants also deepened their understanding of climate science and projections, the NAP, and the Nationally Determined Contribution Implementation Plan (NDCIP) and its Gender Action Plan (GAP) as frameworks for local action. The sessions also introduced the Harmonized Gender and Development Guidelines (HGDG) to integrate gender-responsive and inclusive approaches into local climate governance.

With inputs from partner agencies and institutions such as the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU), and Isabela State University (ISU), the program emphasized the importance of integrating adaptation and mitigation strategies into broader local development frameworks.

The ACT Local Programme also highlighted the role of frontliners in climate resilience. Ms. Daisy Cabauatan, Provincial Chief of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Nueva Vizcaya and recipient of the Philippine Resilience Awards 2024, joined the event, affirming that ACT Local empowers not only LGUs but also first responders in safeguarding communities from climate impacts.

In her welcome message, CCC Commissioner Rachel Anne Herrera emphasized that the ACT Local Programme serves as a national response to the growing need to localize climate action through science-based and capacity-building initiatives with local governments. She noted that the program’s core objective is to ensure that every local climate plan reflects the realities and priorities of the communities it serves.

“Health, well-being, income, livelihood, and education—lahat ng iyan ay parte ng ating LCCAP, of climate action that must be put forward,” Herrera said, underscoring that every plan formulated should integrate all aspects that affect people’s lives.

Meanwhile, CCC Commissioner Albert Dela Cruz, Sr. highlighted the importance of understanding and managing GHG emissions as a crucial step toward meaningful climate action. He highlighted the GHG calculator as a tool that allows individuals and communities to measure their carbon footprint, describing it as “the beginning of climate action that is personal, tangible, and empowering for every Filipino and for every fellow ASEAN.”

In line with the CCC’s commitment to inclusivity, Filipino Sign Language (FSL) interpreters were present throughout the event’s livestream, ensuring that discussions on climate science and governance were accessible to a wider audience.

Through ACT Local, the CCC and its partners reaffirm their commitment to strengthening local capacities, protecting cultural heritage, and advancing the whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, consistent with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. 's call for a climate-resilient and sustainable future.