MANILA, Philippines — The Climate Change Commission (CCC), in coordination with the Office of Senator Loren Legarda, strengthened the capacity of vice governors and provincial legislative staff to help local government units (LGUs) develop risk-informed proposals for the People’s Survival Fund (PSF).

CCC Deputy Executive Director Romell Antonio O. Cuenca briefed around 36 vice governors and key legislative staff during the Legislative Excellence and Development (LEAD) Program of the League of Vice Governors of the Philippines on 18 September 2026.

The LEAD Program, administered by the Development Academy of the Philippines, is a 14-session legislative capacity-building program running from August to November 2026.

Rather than focusing only on application procedures, the CCC session emphasized the work LGUs must undertake before preparing a PSF concept note or full proposal—including identifying their actual climate risks, determining which communities and sectors are most exposed, and establishing a credible basis for the proposed intervention.

“Accessing the People’s Survival Fund begins well before an LGU writes its proposal. It begins with understanding the specific climate risks confronting its communities and identifying the intervention that can reduce those risks,” Cuenca said.

The presentation covered the PSF submission, evaluation, appraisal and Board approval processes. Participants were also provided with 16 links to climate and geospatial information sources that their technical teams can use to strengthen the data and analysis supporting their proposals.

Questions from the participants centered on the application process and the preparations required of LGUs. The recorded session will be uploaded to the program’s online learning platform for officials and staff who were unable to participate live.

CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje said provincial legislative bodies can play an important role in helping translate local climate priorities into properly designed and supported adaptation investments.

“Local access to climate finance is not merely a question of completing forms. A sound proposal must connect the risk identified, the people and systems exposed, the intervention proposed and the resilience result expected,” Borje said.

“Vice governors and provincial boards can help create the enabling conditions for this work by supporting climate-risk assessments, strengthening local plans and investment programs, allocating resources for proposal development, and encouraging coordination among provincial, city and municipal governments,” he added.

Established under Republic Act No. 10174, the PSF provides long-term financing for adaptation programs and projects of LGUs and accredited local and community organizations. It supplements annual government appropriations for climate change programs and supports measures responding to climate-related risks and vulnerabilities.

The CCC continues to provide policy guidance, technical assistance and capacity development to help LGUs formulate science- and risk-based adaptation programs aligned with the National Climate Change Action Plan and the National Adaptation Plan 2023–2050.