The Climate Change Commission (CCC) convenes stakeholders and development partners during the second organizational meeting of the Gender and Climate Change Advisory Group and the Harmonized GAD Guidelines Checklist for Adaptation and Mitigation Programs.

 

QUEZON CITY – The Climate Change Commission (CCC) convened national government agencies, development partners, and members of the Gender and Climate Change Advisory Group (GCAG) to operationalize the GCAG by finalizing roles and coordination mechanisms, and piloting a harmonized checklist aimed at strengthening the integration of gender in climate change adaptation and mitigation programs.

The initiative supports the implementation of the Philippines’ Nationally Determined Contribution Gender Action Plan (NDC GAP) 2024–2030, which recognizes gender equality and social inclusion as essential components of effective climate action.

The GCAG, established in February of this year, serves as a coordination mechanism that brings together gender and climate focal persons from government agencies to support the implementation of the NDC GAP, strengthen interagency coordination, and improve gender integration in climate policies and programs.

Discussions during the meeting focused on clarifying coordination arrangements within the GCAG, including the roles and responsibilities of member agencies and focal point systems.

“This working group is expected to improve coordination, strengthen the integration of gender into climate policies and measures, improve reporting systems, and support practical tools agencies can use,” CCC Commissioner Rachel Anne S. Herrera said.

The pilot testing of the Harmonized GAD Guidelines Checklist for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation was conducted to assess its usability in helping agencies in integrating gender considerations into the design, implementation, and monitoring of climate-related programs and projects.

Herrera underscored the importance of the checklist in ensuring consistent application of gender mainstreaming across government climate interventions.

DENR Undersecretary, Analiza Rebuelta-Teh, chairperson of the DENR National Gender and Development Focal Point System and co-chair of the GCAG, emphasized the importance of the HGDG checklist. "This tool is our compass, designed to ensure our climate programs are not 'gender-blind' but are substantively addressing the vulnerabilities and leadership of women in the face of a changing climate.

“The checklist gives us a harmonized way to assess whether climate-related policies, programs, activities, and projects are gender-responsive from design to implementation and monitoring,” she said.

CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje expressed support for the initiative, noting its role in advancing inclusive and climate-smart governance under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

“The pilot testing, alongside the establishment of the advisory group, strengthens efforts to translate gender and climate commitments into coordinated and implementable action. It reflects our commitment under the Marcos administration to ensure climate action is inclusive, science-based, and effectively integrated across government systems,” Borje said.

The CCC remains steadfast in its commitment to strengthen coordination and institutionalize gender-responsive climate action across national government systems.

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