Officials and employees of the Climate Change Commission joining the celebration of National Women’s Month activities

MANILA, 9 March 2026 —The Climate Change Commission (CCC) joins the nation in celebrating National Women’s Month in March, recognizing Filipino women as powerful leaders and innovators driving the country toward a climate-smart and resilient Philippines.

The Commission is launching its Gender and Development (GAD) Agenda and Strategic Plan to advance gender-transformative climate governance, and rolling out a month-long set of internal programs and initiatives to strengthen gender inclusivity in the workplace, such as capacity-building through Gender Climate 101, staff wellness support via Serbisyo para kay Juana at Juan, and wearing of purple every Wednesday to advocate for women and gender equality.

Under this year’s subtheme, “Lead like the Babaylans, Filipinas!”, the CCC draws inspiration from the pre-colonial Babaylans who were integral community pillars – healers, spiritual guides, decision-makers, and catalysts for social transformation. Unconfined by society’s limited preconceptions, they led with profound wisdom, unwavering courage, and boundless care.

“Tayo ay may tungkuling gabayan ang pambansang direksyon ng bansa laban sa lumalalang epekto ng pagbabago ng klima. Kailangang tiyakin natin na walang sektor—lalung-lalo na ang kababaihan, mga batang babae, mga katutubo, mga may kapansanan—ang maiiwan” said CCC Commissioner Rachel Anne S. Herrera, Chair of CCC’s Gender Focal Point System.

The Commission also acknowledged the enduring contributions of women leaders in national climate governance, including that of Senator Loren Legarda, whose work laid the legal and financial foundation for the country’s climate action framework as the principal author of the Climate Change Act of 2009 and the People's Survival Fund Act, among many landmark laws on climate and environmental action.

The Commission's commitment to gender-responsive action is reflected in its own structure, where women occupy more than half of all positions in the CCC. These women are actively shaping the strategies and policies that guide climate governance, with expertise in both STEM fields and the social sciences.

“We recognize women not only for their resilience in enduring storms but for their ingenuity in building the systems and strategies that allow our communities to thrive despite them,” said CCC Vice Chair and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje.

Furthermore, Borje stressed that empowering women is not simply a matter of inclusion but of strategic national investment. “When we invest in Filipino women, we invest in stronger families, more resilient communities, and a more climate-secure Philippines,” he added.

As the Philippines advances towards a climate-smart future, the Climate Change Commissioners emphasize that the nation is strongest when the voices of those most vulnerable are heard and represented. The leadership of Filipinas, they said, is essential for building a climate-resilient and inclusive future—because those who truly understand the struggles on the ground are the ones best positioned to provide real and effective solutions.