(Photo courtesy of the Presidential Communications Office) President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. vows to include climate resilience in his administration’s social and infrastructure projects during his speech at a reception hosted by the Asian Development Bank

MANILA, Philippines 22 May 2023 – The Climate Change Commission (CCC) lauded President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s pronouncement emphasizing the administration’s commitment to climate resiliency and sustainability in all social and infrastructural projects. It is a clear articulation and instructions on the President’s vision for a climate smart and climate resilient Philippines.

The President vowed to implement resiliency measures in the Philippines in the areas of water supply, sanitation, energy and transport systems, and agriculture and food production. These areas are among the priorities identified by the CCC in its National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP).

NCCAP outlines a long-term program and strategies for climate change adaptation with the national development plan for 2011 to 2028. It focuses on seven thematic priority areas: food security; water sufficiency; ecosystem and environmental stability; human security; climate-smart industries and services; sustainable energy; and knowledge and capacity development.

Pres. Marcos said, “Our goal is still to evolve our economy into one that is defined by sustainability, climate resilience, responsiveness and, of course, inclusivity. I also spoke about my administration's eight-point socio-economic agenda, which laid the blueprint for the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) for 2023 to 2028.”

Under the Marcos Administration, a specific chapter on climate change and resilience was devoted in the Philippine Development Plan (PDP 2023-2028), a whole-of-government approach welcomed by the CCC.

In chapter 15 of the PDP (2023-2028), titled Accelerate Climate Action and Strengthen Disaster Resilience, it identifies the goal for communities, institutions, and the natural and built environment to be “more resilient to the impacts of natural hazards and climate change” by 2028.

CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director (VCED) Robert E.A. Borje pointed out that President Marcos’ guidance will further strengthen the commitment of the Philippine Government to deliver on key transformative climate actions.

“The PDP Chapter 15 reflects the Philippine Government’s commitment and dedication to enhance the nation’s overall resilience to climate change and its impacts, putting a premium on the need for integrated and comprehensive climate action between and among government, partners, and stakeholders,” he said. 

For FY2023, P453.1 billion has already been tagged for climate change expenditure by National Government Institutions for their adaptation and mitigation programs. Representing a 56% increase from FY2022’s P289.7 billion budget, this is “an indication of of the priority of the Administration given to transformative climate change agenda, as laid out by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.,” VCED Borje added.

The President made this announcement at a reception hosted for him by the Asian Development Bank on May 22, Monday, emphasizing that “climate change can, will and already is unleashing nature’s fury upon our communities and our people.”

The Philippines ranked first in the World Risk Index 2022 among 193 countries, proving our country’s vulnerability to climate change.

Pres. Marcos also emphasized the important role of partnerships between the government, private sector and other stakeholders addressing the climate crisis.

“We say all hands on deck in order to make the plan work. Whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches, public-private partnerships, international collaborations shall be adopted as necessary,” he said.

To which CCC VCED Borje added, “True to the principle of whole-of-nation and inclusive approach in conducting our policy work, we will constantly foster more meaningful convergence among different sectors and stakeholders, so we could all work together, pool our resources, knowledge and expertise. We all need to further scale up climate action, because it is our life, livelihood and future that are at stake.”

For more information on the Climate Change Commission’s mainstreaming activities, visit https://climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.