MANILA, Philippines — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) welcomed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s decision to bring the Philippines into the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), calling it a practical and forward-looking step for climate adaptation.

The Philippines was formally welcomed as CDRI’s 71st member during the President’s meeting with coalition officials in New Delhi, India. The Department of Public Works and Highways has been designated to represent the country in the coalition.

“This is a timely decision for Philippine adaptation. It can further strengthen our nation’s ability to anticipate risks and apply what we know before infrastructure is located, designed, financed, built and maintained,” said CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje.

He said the decision supports the Marcos administration’s shift toward predictive governance, using climate projections, hazard information and risk assessments to guide present-day policies and investments.

“Prediction has value when it changes a decision: the site selected, the design standard applied, the project prioritized, the maintenance scheduled and the essential service protected,” he added.

Borje pointed out that roads, bridges, ports, power and water systems, schools, hospitals and communications facilities are interconnected. The failure of one critical system can disrupt essential services, livelihoods and economic activity, underscoring the need for climate-resilient design and preventive adaptation.

The CCC said CDRI membership can complement the implementation of the National Adaptation Plan 2023–2050 and the National Climate Risk Management Framework by widening access to international expertise, technical cooperation, risk-assessment tools and potential partnerships for resilient infrastructure investment.

The Commission emphasized that the value of membership will depend on how international knowledge and cooperation are translated into national standards, budgets, investment decisions and projects.

“With DPWH as the country’s designated representative, the next step is to connect this cooperation with the work of other national agencies, local governments, infrastructure operators, financing institutions, universities and communities,” Borje said.

“Our objective must be to build right at first sight and ensure that public investments remain safe, functional and useful under the risks we already face and those we can reasonably foresee.”

CDRI is a voluntary global partnership that promotes infrastructure resilience against climate and disaster risks. The Philippines is its second Southeast Asian member after Vietnam.

The CCC is the lead policy-making body of the government on climate change. Under Republic Act No. 9729, as amended, it coordinates, monitors and evaluates government climate programs and supports the mainstreaming of climate change into national, sectoral and local development policies and plans.

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