The Climate Change Commission, in collaboration with the German Government, led the second workshop on Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) and Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) to strengthen climate action through improved climate reporting and tracking systems. MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine government, through the Climate Change Commission (CCC), in partnership with the German government, advanced efforts to strengthen the country’s national climate reporting system to support more science-based and effective climate action. The initiative built on the first workshop held in August 2026, which examined gaps in the country’s existing climate reporting systems and identified areas for improvement. The second workshop, held in September 2026, advanced the work by validating and refining the proposed roadmap for a more integrated national reporting system that can provide better information on climate progress and help guide evidence-based decisions and actions. CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje said the initiative helped identify persistent challenges that must be addressed to strengthen the country’s climate reporting system. “The work undertaken through this initiative has also highlighted persistent structural challenges we face—including differences in data availability and methodologies, fragmented institutional processes, and gaps in technical and institutional capacity,” Borje said. The workshops focused on improving how government agencies track and report progress on climate action. A stronger reporting system can help the government better understand what is working, identify gaps, and use reliable climate data and evidence to guide policies, programs, and investments. The system brings together two important functions: Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV), which tracks and verifies progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL), which tracks and assesses progress in climate adaptation and uses lessons from implementation to improve future action. Discussions also focused on the proposed roadmap and gathered stakeholder input on its strategic areas, governance arrangements, actions, responsible agencies, timelines, and the enabling conditions needed to implement. Through the workshop, national government agencies and partners worked to improve existing indicators and agree on how climate action can be tracked more consistently across sectors. Dr. Nicole Kranz, Head of Climate Action and Disaster Resilience at the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH of Germany, underscored their continued support for the Philippines in strengthening its national climate reporting capacities. “Throughout the years, Germany and the Philippines have been working together to make sense and advance the system nationally for the Philippines. Also, this stands, of course, in the context of other German support into developing capacity on MRV monitoring and related issues,” Kranz said. The event was organized under the Philippines-Germany Transformative Actions for Climate and Ecological Protection and Development (TRANSCEND) project, implemented by GIZ and co-facilitated by experts from WSP, Clean Air Asia and Manila Observatory, as part of the CBIT Philippines Project. It brought together representatives from national government agencies, development and technical partners, and other stakeholders involved in climate transparency and reporting. The CCC will continue to work with national government agencies and development partners to strengthen science-based systems for tracking climate progress and informing policies and actions that respond to the country’s climate risks. For more information on the CCC’s climate mainstreaming programs and partnerships, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.

Climate Change Commission (CCC) officials and Youth Climate Leadership Accelerator Project (Youth CLAP) participants take part in the Youth CLAP Innovation Showcase 2026, where young climate innovators presented their solutions, shared their ideas, and affirmed their commitment to climate action at the Philippine Normal University in Manila on September 26, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) showcased youth-led climate solutions and policy ideas from nine university teams during the Youth Climate Leadership Accelerator Project (Youth CLAP) Innovation Showcase 2026 held on September 26 at the Philippine Normal University (PNU) in Manila. The participating teams came from Ateneo de Manila University, Mapúa University, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela, Philippine Normal University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Quezon City University, Taguig City University, University of the Philippines, and University of Santo Tomas. They presented proposals addressing climate adaptation and mitigation, resilience, governance, technology, and community action. In a message delivered by CCC Deputy Executive Director Romell Antonio O. Cuenca, Senator Loren Legarda highlighted the role of young Filipinos in shaping the country’s response to the climate crisis. “Your generation is not simply waiting for the future. You are already shaping it,” Legarda said. The Senator said young people can contribute to climate action through their ideas, creativity, energy, and ability to challenge old ways of thinking and develop new solutions. She also encouraged the participants to bring what they learned through Youth CLAP to their communities, build partnerships, and move from ideas to action. CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje emphasized that the young participants should not wait until they graduate or assume formal positions before contributing to climate action. “You are not future leaders—you are leaders now,” Borje said. “You have already demonstrated the curiosity to learn, the empathy to listen to communities, and the boldness to propose solutions. Carry that forward.” Borje said the CCC, together with its partners, is committed to supporting young climate leaders through technical assistance, mentorship, and networks that can help bring their ideas closer to the frontlines of climate action. The nine teams presented their climate solutions through proposal pitching and an exhibition featuring their project and design concepts. The proposals included program and project designs, policy and governance proposals, service and system designs, campaigns, digital tool concepts, and other locally relevant climate solutions. The Innovation Showcase also featured an Innovation Conversation on “From Ideas to Impact: Turning Youth Innovation into Climate Action,” which explored how youth-led climate ideas can be further developed and connected with climate action. CCC Commissioner Rachel Anne S. Herrera emphasized that Youth CLAP is also about developing the people who will contribute to climate resilience beyond the program. “With Youth CLAP, it is not only about developing policies and programs. It is also about developing the people who will continue to contribute to that work of building climate resilience in the years ahead,” Herrera said. The program also formally launched the Young Climate Innovators Circle, a community of practice intended to sustain collaboration, learning, knowledge exchange, and opportunities among Youth CLAP participants and partners beyond the Innovation Showcase. CCC Deputy Executive Director Romell Antonio O. Cuenca said the Innovation Showcase should serve as a starting point for further development of the students’ proposals. “I hope that today’s presentations will be the beginning of further work—not necessarily perfect solutions, but ideas that can continue to be tested, improved, and developed with communities, institutions, government, and the private sector,” Cuenca said. Joshua Lorenz Gaa of Mapúa University, one of the Youth CLAP participants, reflected on the importance of sustaining hope and action beyond the program. “We hold on to hope. Not a passive hope that waits for someone else to solve the problem. But a hope that moves. A hope that shows up. A hope that learns. And a hope that acts,” Gaa said. The Youth CLAP is a CCC initiative implemented in partnership with the National Youth Commission (NYC) and other stakeholders to strengthen the capacity of young people to contribute to climate and disaster resilience. It seeks to build a pipeline of young climate leaders by equipping university students with knowledge, leadership competencies, practical skills, and mentorship to develop innovative and locally relevant climate adaptation and mitigation initiatives. Through blended learning, mentorship, and hands-on activities, the program equips students from higher education institutions with the knowledge and skills to develop innovative and locally relevant climate adaptation and mitigation initiatives while connecting their ideas with communities, institutions, and policymakers. The activity received logistical support from the Office of the President, which provided service vehicles to facilitate the transportation of student participants from participating universities. It was also supported by sponsors Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, mWell, and First Gen. Special awards were given to recognize youth-led work in areas such as clean energy transition, technology and innovation, campus resilience, scalability and adaptability, evidence-based design, practical and low-cost solutions, policy and governance, youth engagement and creativity, youth-led systems change, and booth design. The event concluded with the presentation of the Youth Statement and Commitment, affirming the participants’ commitment to advancing climate action beyond the Youth CLAP program. The Innovation Showcase also contributes to the development of the Youth CLAP Innovation Compendium, digital catalogue, feature stories, and other documentation intended to capture and share the students’ climate solutions and learning. For the CCC, the showcase marks the culmination of the first Youth CLAP cycle and the continuing development of a community of young climate leaders who can help translate ideas into practical climate action. For more information on the CCC’s climate mainstreaming activities and partnerships, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.

MANILA, Philippines — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) is calling for stronger predictive governance as the country prepares for the possible intensification of the ongoing Strong El Niño into a Very Strong El Niño between September and December 2026. The phenomenon is expected to persist through the first half of 2027. The CCC’s approach supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s call for predictive governance, moving government beyond reactive responses by using science, data, and risk information to anticipate risks and guide decisions before impacts escalate. In his 2026 State of the Nation Address, Marcos said the government has “moved on from the reactive approach” and is “not only proactive, but predictive as well, aided by digital tools.” The call follows the September 23 climate advisory of the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAGASA), which warned of potential impacts associated with below-normal rainfall, dry spells, and drought in some parts of the country. PAGASA also noted that localized above-normal rainfall may still occur, particularly over western areas during the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat. CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje emphasized the need to use climate forecasts and risk information to anticipate impacts and guide timely decisions. “Predictive governance means using the climate information available to us today to anticipate the risks we may face tomorrow. As we prepare for the potential intensification of El Niño, we must translate forecasts into timely decisions and concrete actions that protect our communities, livelihoods, and essential resources,” Borje said. The CCC called for stronger integration of climate projections, risk assessments, and scenario-based planning into local development planning, disaster risk reduction and management, and sectoral adaptation measures. These may include water conservation and supply contingency planning, climate-informed agricultural decisions, early warning dissemination, and health preparedness, based on projected risks and local conditions. Borje said preparedness should begin before the full impacts of prolonged dry conditions are felt, allowing institutions to identify vulnerabilities and prepare resources and interventions in advance. “We should not wait for impacts to fully materialize before taking action. Forecasts and risk assessments can help us determine where vulnerabilities may emerge, what resources may be needed, and what measures can be put in place early,” he said. The Commission emphasized that predictive governance requires coordinated action among national government agencies, local government units (LGUs), communities, the private sector, and other stakeholders, with climate information translated into decisions relevant to specific sectors and localities. The CCC also stressed that immediate preparedness should be aligned with the Philippines’ National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), linking near-term climate risk reduction with longer-term resilience and sustainable development. The CCC has previously identified the NAP, NDC Implementation Plan, and National Climate Risk Management Framework as key governance instruments that support the integration of climate information into planning, investment, and decision-making. Risk-informed investments and planning should prioritize climate-sensitive sectors, particularly water security, food production, public health, and livelihoods, while ensuring that climate information and preparedness support reach vulnerable and marginalized communities. “Predictive governance must ultimately lead to action on the ground. Climate information must reach the people and institutions that need it and be translated into practical measures, appropriate investments, and timely support for communities,” Borje added. While El Niño generally increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall in various parts of the country, PAGASA’s advisory highlights the possibility of localized rainfall events. The CCC therefore urged government institutions, LGUs, communities, and other stakeholders to remain guided by official advisories and implement preparedness measures appropriate to their respective climate risks and local conditions. The CCC continues to advance predictive, science-based, risk-informed, and inclusive climate governance, encouraging stakeholders to use climate information and risk assessments to anticipate emerging risks, strengthen preparedness, and translate forecasts into concrete measures that protect lives, livelihoods, and resources essential to sustainable development. For more information on the CCC’s climate mainstreaming activities and partnerships, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.

At the 4th ASEAN Women Leaders’ Summit, CCC Commissioner Rachel Anne S. Herrera emphasized how ASEAN can advance gender-responsive climate action. (Photos from the Philippine Commission on Women) MANILA, 1 October 2026 — ASEAN member states must move beyond consultation and toward measurable, time-bound commitments that ensure women have leadership roles in climate resilience efforts across the region, the Climate Change Commission (CCC) said in a recent ASEAN leaders’ summit. Speaking at a parallel session at the 4th ASEAN Women Leaders’ Summit, CCC Commissioner Rachel Anne S. Herrera urged regional leaders to adopt concrete targets and accountability mechanisms that translate women’s participation into real influence over climate policy, finance, and disaster risk governance. Herrera proposed three measures: a regional target of parity in representation of women and women’s organizations in disaster management councils and climate finance governing boards by 2030; a common ASEAN protocol for gender-responsive climate budget tagging; and a regional protocol under the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response requiring sex-, age-, and disability-disaggregated data in all post-disaster assessments, hazard maps, and vulnerability profiles, tracked through a shared and public scorecard. “None of these would require a new agreement or treaty,” Herrera emphasized. “It requires us to hold each other to two disciplines: measure what actually changed, and set a deadline for fixing what did not.” Herrera pointed out that women are not just passive recipients of relief, but are also “architects of climate policy, stewards of climate finance, and leaders in disaster risk governance.” “Women are not only among the most affected by climate change. They are among the most effective actors,” she added. ASEAN and its member states already have policies in place that institutionalize the participation of women in gender-responsive climate action, Herrera noted. The Philippines, in particular, has important institutional mechanisms that advance women leadership in climate resilience efforts. The Philippines’ Gender Action Plan under its Nationally Determined Contribution integrates gender, disability, and social inclusion across greenhouse gas reduction efforts. The Gender and Climate Change Advisory Group is an inter-agency body coordinating gender mainstreaming in climate governance, and the Harmonized Gender and Development Guidelines Checklist for climate adaptation and mitigation provides a scoring tool for assessing gender-responsiveness. Herrera pointed out that the Climate Change Expenditure Tagging (CCET) system tracks how national and local budgets support adaptation and mitigation, while the People’s Survival Fund (PSF) allocates at least PHP1 billion annually for local adaptation projects that account for women’s differentiated vulnerabilities. Meanwhile, the Philippine Resilience Awards honors women and youth champions. Herrera cited two awardees as models: Ms. Erma Suyo of Agusan del Norte, who trained over 1,255 women as community disaster risk reduction and management leaders, and Department of Social Welfare and Development Undersecretary Diana Rose Cajipe, who embedded gender and social inclusion into national disaster response. These efforts, Herrera said, align with regional frameworks such as the ASEAN Regional Framework on Protection, Gender and Inclusion in Disaster Management and the 2017 Declaration on Gender-Responsive Implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025. The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to working with ASEAN partners to develop a regional Gender and Climate and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Advisory Group, anchored on shared standards for disaggregated data, gender analysis, and minimum representation levels. “We do not need more reports simply telling us that a gender gap exists,” Herrera concluded. “We need systems that tell us who is responsible for addressing it, what needs to change, and by when. That is where regional cooperation can make a real difference.” The session was organized by the Philippine Commission on Women as part of the Philippines’ 2026 ASEAN Chairship. It brought together leaders from ASEAN Member States, development partners, and civil society to exchange experiences and identify strategic actions to advance gender equality and women’s leadership. For more information on the CCC’s climate mainstreaming activities, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.

From L-R: Mr. Baxter Duane Hernandez, Investor Associate, Mana Impact Partners; Ms. Nadea Nabilla, Founder and CEO, Azura Indonesia; Commissioner Rachel Anne Herrera, Climate Change Commission; Ms. Helen Reyes, Hublag Microfinance; and Mr. Michael Philipps, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Future Fish MACTAN, CEBU — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) underscored the urgent need for science-driven policies and innovative financing to protect the highly vulnerable fisheries and aquaculture sector from escalating climate change impacts at the 2026 Seafood and Fisheries Emerging Technologies (SAFET) conference in Mactan, Cebu. More than 300 global stakeholders, including technology developers, government officials, and industry leaders, attended the conference, which focused on strengthening the links among sustainable fisheries, seafood systems, and climate-adaptive technology. CCC Commissioner Rachel Anne Herrera noted that sea-level rise in the Philippines is projected to be twice the historical global average, threatening coastal settlements and accelerating saltwater intrusion. Global models further project a decline of 9% to 24% in potential marine fisheries across the archipelago by 2050.  Presenting the Philippines' National Adaptation Plan (NAP) 2023–2050, Herrera pointed out that the Philippines stands at the global frontline of the climate crisis, having been repeatedly ranked first in disaster risk by the World Risk Report. The NAP estimates that climate change could cost the Philippines up to $22.4 billion (₱1.4 trillion) annually by 2030 in a business as usual scenario. “Our aquaculture infrastructure is also at risk: it is projected that a significant portion of our roads, bridges, and municipal assets will encounter extreme hazards in the coming decades, resulting in billions of pesos in direct economic losses. Additionally, our fragile marine ecosystems like coral reefs and mangroves, which generate billions of pesos in invaluable ecosystem services, are rapidly degraded by warming waters and severe weather,” Herrera said. “Inaction is no longer an option,” she added. Under the NAP’s overarching theme, “Securing Food Supply: Nurture Nature, Sustain Livelihoods,” the CCC emphasized that agriculture, fisheries, and food security are "front and center" priorities. Protecting these sectors is not only an ecological necessity but a social imperative, as fisherfolk continue to suffer from some of the highest poverty incidence rates in the country. During the session, Herrera said that the Philippine government is already moving from planning to implementation via the Philippine Adaptation Investment Platform (AIP), which was launched during the 2nd Adaptation Investment Forum earlier in March. Recognizing that public funds alone cannot meet the projected trillion-dollar global adaptation need by 2050, the AIP is actively seeking to crowd in private and blended finance. The AIP aims to build a portfolio pipeline worth at least $350 million over the next five years. During a panel discussion, Herrera highlighted the importance of "blended capital"—where public and development funds are used to de-risk investments—making adaptation projects more attractive to private investors. She cited successful ground-level models, such as those implemented by Hublag Microfinance, which link marine protected areas with sustainable livelihoods, as best practice for scalable adaptation finance. “Public funds alone cannot meet the immense challenges of climate change. The Adaptation Investment Platform and similar mechanisms help mobilize private and blended finance to de-risk investments and scale up climate resilience initiatives,” CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje affirmed. The 2026 SAFET Conference was co-hosted with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and British Embassy Manila, with the theme “From Innovation to Implementation: Powering Responsible Fisheries, Markets, and Livelihoods.” It concluded with a call to action to transform coastal communities from "frontlines of vulnerability into beacons of climate resilience" through the combined lens of social justice, gender responsiveness, and innovative financial architecture. SAFET was founded in 2014 as a US non-profit initiative that serves as an impartial global platform bridging the gap between technology solution providers and the needs of the seafood and fisheries sector. The Climate Change Commission is the lead policy-making body of the government on climate change. It coordinates, monitors and evaluates government programs and works to mainstream climate change in national, local and sectoral development plans. For more information on the CCC’s climate mainstreaming activities and partnerships, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.

Students participate in discussions, interactive activities, and knowledge-sharing sessions during the Youth Climate Leadership Accelerator Project (Youth CLAP), as they deepen their understanding of climate issues and work toward developing practical, youth-led climate solutions. The Climate Change Commission (CCC), in partnership with the National Youth Commission (NYC) and selected higher education institutions (HEIs), will culminate the Youth Climate Leadership Accelerator Project (Youth CLAP) with an Innovation Showcase featuring climate action proposals developed by participating students. The Innovation Showcase will serve as the culminating activity of the pilot program, where participating students will present and pitch their finalized climate action proposals developed throughout the four-session Youth CLAP learning journey. The activity will provide participants an opportunity to demonstrate how they have applied their learnings in climate science, policy and governance, communications, innovation, and youth leadership to practical climate solutions. Throughout the program, students participated in expert-led sessions, workshops, consultations, and project development activities designed to help them translate climate knowledge into concrete and locally relevant action. In the succeeding sessions, participants worked with mentors to refine their project prototypes, strengthen their Campaign Canvases, and prepare their project pitches for the Innovation Showcase. The culminating activity will bring together the participating students and partner institutions as they present their proposed solutions and demonstrate the skills and insights gained through the accelerated learning experience. Youth CLAP is designed as a complementary and fast-tracked learning experience that equips selected university and college students with a common foundation on climate issues while enabling them to apply their knowledge to challenges within their institutions and communities. The CCC recognizes the important role of higher education institutions in creating spaces for climate learning, innovation, and youth leadership. Through Youth CLAP, participating students are provided with an avenue to strengthen their capacities and contribute practical ideas to the country’s climate action agenda. The Innovation Showcase is an invite-only activity. However, the program will be livestreamed on the official Climate Change Commission Facebook page, allowing the public to follow the students’ presentations and learn more about their proposed climate solutions. The Youth CLAP supports the country’s broader policy direction to strengthen meaningful youth participation in climate action. The National Adaptation Plan (NAP) 2023–2050, developed under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., recognizes young people as important stakeholders in building awareness, advocacy, and understanding of climate change adaptation, while emphasizing inclusive and meaningful stakeholder engagement. This is complemented by Republic Act No. 9729, which mandates the CCC to promote broader multi-stakeholder participation and build partnerships with the academe and other stakeholder groups in advancing climate action. Through Youth CLAP, these policy directions are translated into a practical learning and action platform for students, providing them with opportunities to strengthen their climate knowledge, engage with experts and mentors, and develop solutions that respond to climate challenges in their schools and communities. For more information on the CCC’s climate mainstreaming activities and partnerships, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.

Local government units, national government agencies, the private sector, civil society organizations, academic institutions, communities and volunteers join the observance of the International Coastal Cleanup Day on 19 September 2026. MANILA, Philippines — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) commended the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), local government units, participating agencies, businesses, schools, civic organizations and volunteers for the nationwide observance of this year’s International Coastal Cleanup Day. According to DENR, more than 100,000 volunteers joined cleanup activities at 369 coastal, river, waterway and underwater sites nationwide on September 19, collecting more than 46 tons of waste. “This nationwide effort shows what Filipinos can accomplish when the government, communities and businesses work together,” said CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje. “We thank the DENR for leading and sustaining this national mobilization, and every volunteer and partner who gave time and effort to protect our waterways and coastlines.” The CCC also underscored the important role of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in working with provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays to translate public participation into stronger and more consistent local solid-waste management. Borje said the value of the cleanup must extend beyond the waste collected on a single day. “A successful cleanup should leave more than a clean shoreline. It should tell us what kinds of waste are reaching our waters, where they are coming from, and which policies, services and behaviors must change,” he said. The DENR reported that waste collected during the cleanup was weighed, sorted and recorded by type. This information can help identify marine-litter patterns and guide waste-management interventions in areas where they are most needed. The CCC said this data-driven approach supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s direction to strengthen predictive governance. In his 2026 State of the Nation Address, the President declared, “We have moved on from the reactive approach. Now, we are not only proactive, but predictive as well, aided by digital tools.” “Applied to waste management, predictive governance means using what we collect and learn today to prevent the same garbage from reaching our rivers and coastlines tomorrow,” Borje said. “Prediction has value when it changes a decision. That’s how we produce and consume, how waste is collected, where interventions are positioned, and how responsibilities are enforced.” The CCC likewise recognized private-sector initiatives that connect coastal protection with broader ecosystem restoration. In Balamban, Cebu, the municipal government led coastal cleanup activities alongside the launch of CarbonPH, a restoration partnership of the Aboitiz Foundation and GCash GForest. The partnership aims to grow one million trees and help restore 1,200 hectares in Balamban, linking action in the uplands with the protection of rivers, communities and coastal ecosystems. “The Balamban initiative demonstrates why climate and ecosystem action must be ridge-to-reef,” Borje said. “What happens in the uplands eventually affects our rivers and coasts. Restoration, waste management, livelihoods and community participation must therefore be planned as parts of one connected system.” The CCC emphasized that coastal cleanups must be supported by waste reduction, segregation at source, dependable collection, functioning materials-recovery facilities, recycling and composting, producer responsibility, and effective enforcement of national and local policies. Cleanup data can help the DENR, DILG and LGUs identify waste-leakage hotspots, improve collection routes and schedules, strengthen barangay-level systems, and position interventions along drainage channels and rivers before garbage reaches the sea. Businesses must also reduce unnecessary packaging, redesign products and comply fully with the Extended Producer Responsibility Act. Partnerships such as those led by the Aboitiz Foundation and GCash GForest demonstrate how private resources, technology and public participation can complement government and community action. “Imagine the goal of less garbage, less time spent cleaning up, and more time for our people to enjoy, protect and draw sustainable livelihoods from our well-managed and protected coastlines,” Borje added. Observed every third Saturday of September under Presidential Proclamation No. 470, s. 2003, the International Coastal Cleanup Day promotes collective action against marine litter and encourages the use of cleanup data in developing long-term solutions. The CCC, as the lead policy-making body of the government on climate change, continues to promote integrated and science-based approaches that protect ecosystems, strengthen community resilience and advance sustainable development. For more information on the CCC’s climate mainstreaming activities and partnerships, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.

MANILA, Philippines — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) secured continued support during House of Representatives budget deliberations for its efforts to further strengthen climate governance, build local capacities, and improve access to climate finance, as the Commission advances translation of climate policies and investments into concrete action for communities. CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje said the Commission’s programs focus on strengthening institutional and local capacities, improving access to climate information, and developing mechanisms that support climate-responsive planning and investments. “Our work is ultimately about enabling governments and communities to better understand climate risks and translate this knowledge into concrete programs and investments. By strengthening coordination, capacity, and access to climate finance, we can help ensure that climate action reaches the communities that need it most,” Borje said. During the budget deliberations, Bohol Representative John Geesnell Yap, sponsor of the CCC budget, highlighted the Commission’s role in coordinating and monitoring government efforts on climate change and in helping integrate climate considerations into national, sectoral, and local development planning. Yap noted that the impacts of climate change are already being experienced across the country, affecting communities, livelihoods, and the broader development of the Philippines. “Intensifying tropical cyclones, sea level rise, heavy rainfall events, and increasing temperatures already affect the lives and livelihoods of millions of Filipinos,” Yap said. The House earlier terminated budget scrutiny of the CCC, which is proposed to receive ₱183.482 million under the 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP). During the deliberations, the Commission highlighted its continuing work on Climate Change Expenditure Tagging (CCET), capacity building, climate information and services, climate finance coordination, and support for local governments in developing and implementing climate programs. Under the CCET, the CCC reported completed tagging processes for 148 of 202 national government agencies (NGAs), 57 of 98 government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs), and 102 of 119 state universities and colleges (SUCs). The Commission also provides capacity-building support to LGUs, particularly in accessing climate financing mechanisms such as the People’s Survival Fund (PSF), where project documentation and proposal development are among the key requirements for funding access. The CCC is likewise supporting efforts to strengthen climate finance coordination, including the proposed establishment of a dedicated climate finance unit within the Commission. House Bill No. 8918 has been filed to support this institutional mechanism. Through the localization of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), the CCC is also working with partners to ensure that climate planning responds to local risks and the needs of vulnerable sectors, including farmers, fisherfolk, Indigenous Peoples, women, children, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities. “Climate action is a whole-of-government and whole-of-society effort. The CCC will continue to work with our partners to strengthen capacities, improve coordination, and mobilize investments that contribute to a climate-resilient and sustainable Philippines,” Borje said. The Climate Change Commission is the country’s lead policy-making body on climate change. Under Republic Act No. 9729, or the Climate Change Act, as amended by Republic Act No. 10174, the CCC is mandated to coordinate, monitor and evaluate government programs and actions on climate change and mainstream climate change into national, sectoral and local development plans and programs. For more information on the CCC’s climate mainstreaming activities and partnerships, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.

The Philippines’ first Biennial Transparency Report undergoes a five-day technical expert review by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to identify areas for improvement and strengthen the country’s climate reporting and action. MANILA, Philippines – The Climate Change Commission (CCC) partnered with experts from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) for a five-day assessment of the Philippines’ first Biennial Transparency Report (BTR1). The evaluation identified key opportunities to strengthen national climate reporting and better integrate climate data into policies, programs, and investments. The BTR is a comprehensive climate report that presents information on the Philippines’ progress in addressing climate change, including greenhouse gas emissions, mitigation actions, adaptation efforts, support, and other elements under the Paris Agreement’s Enhanced Transparency Framework. Through the CCC-led BTR1 process, international experts examined the information and methodologies presented in the report, raised questions, identified areas for improvement, and shared technical insights to strengthen the country’s future reporting and climate action. CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje emphasized that the review goes beyond improving the quality and credibility of the report. “This review not only allows us to identify gaps and areas for improvement. It also helps us understand what more needs to be done to support efficient climate action and adopt effective practices from other countries.” CCC Deputy Executive Director Atty. Romell Antonio O. Cuenca highlighted the value of the review as a learning opportunity for the Philippines. “This process helps us strengthen our systems, identify areas where we can do better, and ensure that our future reporting is even more robust. This information can guide better policies, investments, and programs that respond to the impacts of climate change felt by our communities, from protecting livelihoods and food security to strengthening resilience against extreme weather and other climate risks.” Cuenca further underscored that transparency must ultimately translate into meaningful climate action. “Transparency helps ensure that climate action remains grounded in the realities of our people and delivers meaningful results for the Filipino people.” The process strengthens coordination among government institutions to produce consistent, reliable, and useful climate information for decision-making. For the CCC, these efforts reinforce the systems that support climate reporting and inform national climate action. By strengthening transparency, the Philippines can better understand what climate actions are working, where gaps remain, and where further support and investments are needed. These insights can help inform policies and programs that address climate risks, protect livelihoods and food security, and strengthen the resilience of communities across the country. The initiative supports the vision of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for a more transparent and climate-smart Philippines, where reliable climate information serves as a foundation for sound policy, strategic investment, and effective climate action. The five-day review featured detailed discussions, question-and-answer sessions, parallel technical sessions, and consultations between the UNFCCC expert review team and Philippine government agencies involved in climate reporting and action. The review brought together six technical experts from Türkiye, India and Australia, representatives from the United Nations, and key government agencies that contribute climate-related data and information. These included the Department of Agriculture, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Transportation, Department of Energy, Department of Economy, Planning and Development, and the Philippine Statistics Authority. The CCC continues to strengthen the country’s climate transparency mechanisms and coordination with government institutions and international partners to ensure that climate information translates into better decisions and more effective action for Filipinos. For more information on the CCC’s climate mainstreaming programs and partnerships, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.

The Climate Change Commission (CCC) participates in a restoration and tree-growing activity in partnership with the Municipality of Balamban, Cebu, Aboitiz Foundation, GCash GForest and other stakeholders. BALAMBAN, Cebu — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) welcomed a long-term partnership to grow one million trees and help restore 1,200 hectares in Balamban, Cebu, calling it a practical contribution to the Marcos administration’s agenda for climate resilience, low-carbon development and sustainable growth. The five-year greening partnership brings together the Municipality of Balamban, Aboitiz Foundation through its CarbonPH restoration program, and GCash GForest, with communities, people’s organizations and other government and private-sector partners. More than 3,000 volunteers joined the program’s first major on-ground activity on September 19, planting bamboo and native trees across identified restoration areas. “This partnership recognizes a fundamental truth: planting is an activity, but growing a forest is a long-term responsibility,” said CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje. “The more meaningful measure is not simply how many seedlings enter the ground on planting day. It is how many survive, how much land is restored, how well watersheds and biodiversity are protected, and whether communities gain lasting livelihoods and greater resilience,” he added. The program targets at least 85 percent tree survival through nurseries, sustained maintenance, monitoring, protection and community stewardship. Native and endemic species—including Cebu Cinnamon or kaningag, narra, molave, katmon, almaciga and bagilumbang—will be grown alongside bamboo, fruit-bearing trees and agroforestry crops such as cacao, coffee and jackfruit. Bamboo and native trees were also planted along the river corridor to help rehabilitate the watershed, stabilize riverbanks, reduce erosion and support natural flood mitigation. Held during World Bamboo Day, the activity highlighted bamboo’s potential contribution to ecosystem restoration, climate action and local development. When properly selected, planted, managed and sustainably utilized, bamboo can support watershed rehabilitation, carbon storage, enterprise and community livelihoods. “Bamboo is valuable not merely because it grows quickly, but because it can connect ecosystem restoration with production and income,” Borje said. “For restoration to endure, communities must see both ecological and economic value in protecting what they have helped grow.” The CCC recognized the Municipality of Balamban for anchoring the initiative in local priorities and community participation. The Cebu Bamboo Industry Development Council and local people’s organizations can help connect bamboo growing with responsible production, value-chain development and livelihoods. Aboitiz Foundation, through CarbonPH, brings a long-term landscape-restoration model, resources and partnerships. CarbonPH forms part of the Foundation’s 40-year commitment to help restore Cebu’s forests, watersheds and ecosystems. GCash GForest connects digital participation with restoration on the ground. Green-energy points generated through everyday digital activities help support actual tree growing, enabling millions of Filipinos to participate beyond the planting sites. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Forest Management Bureau provides the broader technical and policy framework for sustainable forest and watershed management. “This partnership demonstrates how different responsibilities can reinforce one another,” Borje said. “The local government provides leadership. Communities provide knowledge and stewardship. Businesses contribute resources, technology and networks. National institutions provide policy direction and technical support.” The initiative supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s direction to move the government from reactive responses toward proactive and predictive governance. As the President said in his 2026 State of the Nation Address, “We have moved on from the reactive approach. Now, we are not only proactive, but predictive as well.” “Restoring degraded landscapes, protecting watersheds and strengthening livelihoods before climate impacts intensify are concrete expressions of predictive governance and preventive adaptation,” Borje said. Under President Marcos, who chairs the CCC, the Philippines completed and adopted its first National Adaptation Plan (NAP) for 2023–2050. The NAP provides the country’s long-term framework for reducing climate vulnerability and strengthening resilience across interconnected sectors. The Balamban initiative supports NAP priorities on ecosystems and biodiversity, water resources, agriculture and livelihoods, and integrated land-use management. Restoring forests and watersheds can reduce erosion and flood risks, protect water sources, strengthen biodiversity and help communities manage interconnected climate risks. The initiative also supports the Philippines’ commitments under the Paris Agreement by strengthening natural carbon sinks while generating adaptation benefits and opportunities for sustainable local development. Borje said that contributing to climate resilience does not stop at planting trees. “For initiatives such as CarbonPH to contribute credibly to national climate goals, we must measure more than the number of seedlings planted. We must track survival and growth, restored land, improved carbon stocks, ecosystem benefits and community outcomes.” He added that the partnership shows how national policy can be translated into local action through a one-country-team approach. “Balamban is showing how climate resilience, low-carbon development and sustainable growth can take root in the same landscape,” Borje said. “If we grow the trees, protect the watershed and build viable livelihoods around restoration, local action can help transform the nation.” The CCC, as the lead policy-making body of the government on climate change, continues to advance the implementation of the National Adaptation Plan, the National Climate Risk Management Framework and the country’s commitments under the Paris Agreement in partnership with national agencies, local governments, communities, development partners and the private sector. For more information on the CCC’s climate mainstreaming activities and partnerships, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.

During the recent UNFCCC Adaptation Committee discussions, the Philippines pushed for stronger local access to climate finance, emphasizing that international funds must effectively reach and support communities on the ground. BAKU, Azerbaijan — The Philippines backed stronger local access to adaptation finance as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Adaptation Committee advanced discussions on the focus of its future thematic dialogue, emphasizing the need to examine how international climate finance can more effectively reach local actors and support adaptation implementation. Climate Change Commission (CCC) Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje, who serves on the Adaptation Committee from the developing-country constituency, supported local-level adaptation finance as a practical focus for the Committee’s continuing work on adaptation finance. The proposed theme examines approaches, stakeholder roles and country experiences in channeling international climate finance to local actors. It was considered alongside other possible themes, including country and regional platforms, innovative adaptation finance, blended finance and stronger institutional coordination for accessing adaptation finance. For developing countries, the issue goes beyond the overall volume of finance available. Adaptation priorities are often implemented by local governments and communities, yet access to international climate finance can remain difficult because of institutional, technical and financing constraints. This makes local access particularly important in countries where climate risks vary widely across territories and where implementation depends on local capacities, institutions and investment decisions. Borje said, “For developing countries, the question is not only how much adaptation finance is available, but whether it can actually be accessed and used where climate risks are felt most. Local access has to be practical, responsive and capable of supporting implementation.” He also emphasized that work on local adaptation finance should allow consideration of appropriate financing approaches and instruments that can make access more effective and productive, while avoiding additional complexity or barriers for developing countries and local actors. “Innovation should serve implementation. Where appropriate, financing approaches that help solve access constraints should be examined as part of the conversation on getting adaptation finance to the local level,” Borje said. For the Philippines, the discussion is directly relevant to efforts to localize the National Adaptation Plan and strengthen the capacity of local governments to develop, finance and implement climate-responsive investments. Improving local access to finance can help translate national adaptation priorities into projects and services that reduce risks to communities, protect livelihoods and infrastructure, and strengthen resilience across provinces, cities and municipalities. The discussion also reflects a broader implementation challenge for developing countries: adaptation finance must not only be mobilized but also structured and delivered in ways that are accessible, usable and responsive to local conditions. The Committee agreed that the scope of the dialogue could be further developed through the preparation and review of a concept note, creating space to examine how local access may be strengthened and how appropriate financing approaches can support implementation. The Adaptation Committee conducts thematic dialogues annually under its flexible workplan. Its 2026 dialogue focused on opportunities for accessing adaptation finance from the operating entities of the UNFCCC Financial Mechanism, while the Committee at its 30th meeting considered possible themes for 2027, including local-level adaptation finance. Borje represented the developing countries’ constituency in the Adaptation Committee, and is the first Filipino to be elected to the Adaptation Committee since it was established in 2010. The Climate Change Commission is the lead policy-making body of the Philippine government tasked to coordinate, monitor and evaluate programs and action plans relating to climate change pursuant to Republic Act No. 9729, as amended.   For more information on the CCC’s climate mainstreaming activities, partnerships and international engagements, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.

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

MANILA, Philippines — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) called for sustained action to reduce waste and protect ecosystems as the country observes World Clean and Green Week from 17 to 23 September. The observance traces its roots to Clean Up the World, a global initiative that originated in Australia in cooperation with the United Nations Environment Programme. In 1993, Proclamation No. 244 formally institutionalized its observance in the Philippines to encourage collective action for cleaner communities and ecosystem protection. The CCC underscored the urgency of translating this commitment into everyday practice as the Philippines generated an estimated 60,760 tons of waste per day in 2025. “Clean communities begin with the choices we make each day—what we consume, what we discard, and whether materials are reused, recycled or allowed to become waste,” said CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje. Waste that is improperly managed can clog waterways and drainage systems, worsen flooding, pollute rivers and coastal areas, damage ecosystems, and expose communities to health and climate risks. Organic waste disposed of in landfills also produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Borje stressed that responsibility must be shared, but not treated as equal. Households and communities can practice waste reduction, segregation, reuse, recycling and composting, while local governments, businesses and national agencies must ensure that appropriate systems, infrastructure and incentives are in place. “We cannot place the entire burden on individuals when sustainable choices depend on accessible collection services, recovery facilities, responsible product design and markets for reusable and recyclable materials,” he said. “Everyday discipline must be matched by effective systems.” The CCC said stronger waste management supports both climate mitigation and adaptation. Reducing waste and recovering materials can lower emissions and ease pressure on natural resources, while cleaner waterways and healthier ecosystems can strengthen communities against flooding and other climate impacts. These efforts complement the National Climate Change Action Plan, the National Climate Risk Management Framework, the National Adaptation Plan 2023–2050, and the country’s Nationally Determined Contribution Implementation Plan. “The World Clean and Green Week reminds us that clean-up activities are important, but they cannot be the endpoint. The real measure of progress is how rarely waste reaches our streets, rivers and seas in the first place,” Borje said. The CCC, as the lead policy-making body of the government on climate change, continues to coordinate, monitor and evaluate climate action and promote policies that support low-carbon, climate-resilient and sustainable development. For more information on the CCC’s climate mainstreaming activities and partnerships, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.

The Philippines’ Climate Change Commission Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje, representing the developing countries’ constituency in the Adaptation Committee, presents a preview of the UNFCCC Adaptation Committee’s first Synthesis Report on the State of Adaptation Action by Parties at the 2026 Adaptation Forum. BAKU, Azerbaijan — The Philippines, through its membership in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Adaptation Committee, helped set the scene for global discussions on accelerating adaptation implementation, presenting an emerging picture of adaptation action reported by countries and highlighting the need to move from plans and systems toward measurable results. Climate Change Commission (CCC) Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje, who serves as a member of the UNFCCC Adaptation Committee, presented a preview of the Committee’s forthcoming Synthesis Report on the State of Adaptation Action by Parties, which the Adaptation Committee made available as a basis for discussion at the 2026 Adaptation Forum ahead of its consideration at the Adaptation Committee meeting. Borje represented the developing countries’ constituency in the Adaptation Committee, and is the first Filipino to be elected to the Adaptation Committee since it was established in 2010. The presentation drew from adaptation information communicated by 198 Parties to the UNFCCC, covering developed and developing countries across six regions. The information is also organized through the Adaptation Committee’s Interactive Portal on the State of Adaptation Action by Parties, which draws from Parties’ national reports and communications. The emerging picture shows that countries have substantially strengthened the institutional foundations for adaptation. Around 94 percent report having climate change frameworks and regulations in place, while 89 percent have adaptation-specific frameworks. Meanwhile, 182 of 198 countries have undertaken impact, vulnerability and risk assessments, mostly at national and sectoral levels. The findings also point to the challenges for the next stage: determining whether adaptation efforts are producing measurable reductions in vulnerability and climate risk. Only 31 percent of countries report having monitoring, evaluation and learning systems in place, while another 32 percent are still establishing them. Information on adaptation outcomes and effectiveness is available for only about 28 percent of countries, although some are beginning to report reduced agricultural losses, improved water, infrastructure and health outcomes, and avoided costs resulting from adaptation investments. “Planning remains essential, but it is not the endpoint. The increasingly important question is whether adaptation changes decisions, reduces risk and protects people, livelihoods and development gains,” Borje said. The presentation also showed that national adaptation priorities and reported implementation are broadly aligned. Food security, food systems and agriculture; freshwater resources and sanitation; and health are among the most frequently identified priorities in national plans, with significant implementation also reported in disaster risk management, ecosystems and human settlements. For the Philippines, the findings reinforce the importance of translating climate science and risk assessments into investments and decisions that can withstand increasingly severe climate impacts. Recent flooding in the country has underscored the consequences when hazards intersect with vulnerable communities, infrastructure and development systems. The Philippine National Adaptation Plan 2023–2050, the country’s first NAP, completed and submitted  under President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., provides the national framework for addressing these risks through anticipatory, risk-informed and locally grounded adaptation. The global review also highlights the importance of cooperation. A total of 173 countries report existing arrangements for cooperation on adaptation at national, regional or international levels, including efforts to strengthen institutional capacity, mobilize resources and expertise, and address risks that cross borders. The synthesis presented at the Forum was a preview intended to inform discussion. The final report is for consideration by the Adaptation Committee before publication. The underlying portal and synthesis are intended as complementary tools: the portal organizes and visualizes country-reported information, while the synthesis identifies broader patterns, trends and country experiences. The 2026 Adaptation Forum was held on 9–10 September at the Baku Convention Centre as part of UNFCCC Climate Week 4. The wider Climate Week ran from 7–11 September and placed particular emphasis on moving climate commitments toward practical implementation and scalable solutions. The Climate Change Commission is the lead policy-making body of the Philippine government tasked to coordinate, monitor and evaluate programs and action plans relating to climate change pursuant to Republic Act No. 9729, as amended. For more information on the CCC’s climate mainstreaming activities, partnerships, and international engagements, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.

During Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANA Mo) this September, the Climate Change Commission (CCC) emphasizes the critical need to safeguard marine ecosystems and strengthen the climate resilience of coastal communities. MANILA, Philippines | 18 September 2026 — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) underscored the importance of protecting marine and coastal ecosystems and strengthening the resilience of coastal communities as the country observes Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANA Mo) this September. The annual observance, established under Presidential Proclamation No. 316, series of 2017, promotes greater awareness of the Philippines’ maritime and archipelagic character and the importance of protecting the country’s maritime resources. “As an archipelagic nation, our seas are not simply the spaces between our islands. They connect our communities, sustain livelihoods, support food security, and help protect us from the impacts of climate change,” said CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje. Coastal communities face interconnected climate risks, including sea-level rise, storm surges, coastal flooding, erosion, saltwater intrusion and the degradation of marine ecosystems. These risks affect homes, livelihoods, infrastructure, fisheries and other essential services. Borje emphasized that healthy mangroves, seagrass beds, coral reefs and other marine and coastal ecosystems are natural defenses that help reduce climate risks while supporting biodiversity and local economies. “Protecting these ecosystems is both climate action and development policy. Their condition influences how well our communities withstand hazards, recover from disruption and sustain livelihoods over time,” he said. The National Adaptation Plan 2023–2050 recognizes ecosystem and biodiversity resilience and climate-resilient livelihoods and industries among the country’s priority adaptation outcomes. Its implementation requires climate risks to be considered in land- and sea-use planning, infrastructure, coastal resource management and local development decisions. The CCC called for stronger cooperation among national government agencies, local government units, coastal communities, fisherfolk, the private sector, academe and civil society to protect marine resources and translate climate information into practical local action. “Awareness must lead to better decisions—where and how we build, how we manage our coasts, how we protect livelihoods and how we use marine resources without diminishing their value for future generations,” Borje added. This MANA Mo, the CCC encourages Filipinos to deepen their appreciation of the seas that connect the country’s islands and strengthen their shared commitment to protecting them. The CCC is the lead policy-making body of the government tasked to coordinate, monitor and evaluate programs and actions on climate change pursuant to Republic Act No. 9729, or the Climate Change Act, as amended. For more information on the CCC’s climate mainstreaming activities and partnerships, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.

CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje leads the first meeting of the Steering Committee of the Adaptation Investment Platform (AIP), bringing together key stakeholders to strengthen pathways for financing and implementing climate adaptation projects.   MANILA, Philippines — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) convened the first meeting of the Steering Committee of the Adaptation Investment Platform (AIP) on September 3, advancing efforts to mobilize investments and accelerate the implementation of the country’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP).   The AIP seeks to help translate the country’s adaptation priorities into investment-ready projects by bringing together government, project proponents, financial institutions, and development partners to mobilize public, private, and concessional financing for locally led and NAP-aligned initiatives. CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje underscored the importance of ensuring that adaptation plans are translated into concrete investments and actions that benefit communities. “An adaptation plan becomes consequential only when it begins to change decisions: where the government directs public resources, which projects financial institutions support, and whether investment reaches communities before climate risk becomes climate loss,” Borje said. Developed under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Philippines’ National Adaptation Plan (NAP) was adopted by the CCC in April 2024 through Commission Resolution No. 2024-003. The Philippines was the third ASEAN nation and 56th country in the world to submit its NAP to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The NAP identifies adaptation priorities across eight sectors and estimates the annual economic cost of climate inaction at PHP 645 billion. While the NAP provides the country’s policy direction for climate adaptation, Borje emphasized the need to develop a credible pipeline of projects that can attract financing and deliver measurable results. The AIP is intended to address challenges that prevent adaptation projects from advancing, including fragmented institutional arrangements, limited project readiness, financing gaps, and the absence of clear pathways from national priorities to local implementation. The Platform's initial pipeline includes three projects in Negros Occidental and Iloilo, provinces identified within the high-exposure band of the NAP's provincial categorization. As of 25 August 2026, PHP 59 million had been deployed, with PHP 225 million identified for possible deployment over the next 12 months. “These are projected results, not yet accomplishments. Our responsibility is to build the governance, financing, and delivery arrangements that can turn them into verified outcomes,” Borje said. The first Steering Committee meeting focused on establishing the AIP’s governance and institutional arrangements, advancing the initial project pipeline, and identifying sustainable financing pathways to support the implementation of the NAP. For the CCC, investments supported through the Platform must remain aligned with NAP priorities, provide meaningful pathways for local governments and institutions, and generate results that can be tracked through the NAP’s monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning system. “Let us make sure that capital reaches the farm; that an investment becomes avoided loss, protected income, and greater security; and that the promise of the National Adaptation Plan is felt where climate risk is already lived,” Borje said. For more information on the CCC’s climate mainstreaming activities and partnerships, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.

The Climate Change Commission (CCC) is promoting gender-inclusive communication approaches to support the implementation of the Nationally Determined Contribution Gender Action Plan (NDC GAP). QUEZON CITY, Philippines — The Climate Change Commission (CCC), in partnership with the Miriam College–Women and Gender Institute (WAGI) and with support from the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), recently convened an Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) Multi-Stakeholder Engagement and Communication Framing Workshop last September 2-3, 2026, at Miriam College, Quezon City, to strengthen gender-inclusive communication approaches in support of the implementation of the Nationally Determined Contribution Gender Action Plan (NDC GAP). The workshop, which brought together government agencies, civil society organizations,  and other relevant stakeholders, provided a platform to identify communication priorities, strengthen a shared understanding of the NDC GAP, and explore ways to connect and align existing communication channels, networks, and resources to ensure that the country’s carbon emissions reduction targets are accessible, localized, and responsive to the needs of vulnerable sectors. Discussions focused on strengthening a whole-of-society, multisectoral, and participatory approach to implementing a Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI)-responsive Philippine NDC commitment. Participants emphasized the need to move away from generalized messaging to develop inclusive, localized, actionable, and participatory communication that resonates with the different lived experiences of women, youth, persons with disabilities, and marginalized communities. “The NDC GAP becomes more meaningful when people see themselves in the policies, programs, and messages we put forward,” said CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje. “Effective communication approaches can help translate the NDC GAP into messages that communities can understand and act on.” The engagement also highlighted the complementary roles of government institutions, civil society organizations, communities, development partners, and other stakeholders in strengthening communication for the NDC GAP. Participants recognized the value of connecting existing platforms, networks, and knowledge resources with the priority actions and measures (PAMs), rather than creating parallel mechanisms. CCC Commissioner and Chairperson of the CCC Gender and Development Focal Point System (GFPS) Rachel Anne S. Herrera highlighted the milestones in operationalizing the NDC GAP in relation to climate governance, adaptation and mitigation, measurement, reporting and verification, and finance. By integrating sex-disaggregated data and gender-responsive guidelines into climate governance and finance, the CCC is ensuring that gender and social inclusion are institutionalized within Philippine climate policy. “The implementation of the NDC GAP marks an important step for the Philippines,” Commissioner Herrera stated. “It moves us from mere recognition that climate change is not gender neutral, toward concrete action, by putting gender and social inclusion squarely into how we plan, implement, monitor, and improve our programs in government and in partnership with business and civil society.” The workshop established a shared strategic foundation for the development of the Communication and Visibility Plan. Moving forward, communication objectives, messages, and IEC concepts will be aligned with documented gender and social inclusion findings and directed toward addressing identified GEDSI gaps under the NDC GAP. From the government, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Transportation (DOTr), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) participated, joined by representatives from the media and other non-government organizations. The workshop affirmed that advancing a GEDSI-responsive NDC commitment requires sustained collaboration across sectors. By strengthening existing communication networks and linking institutional expertise with local knowledge and lived experiences, stakeholders can help build a more effective, accessible, and inclusive communication ecosystem for climate action. For more information on the CCC’s climate mainstreaming activities and partnerships, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.

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.

Representatives from various divisions, units, and offices of the Climate Change Commission convene for a strategic and operational planning workshop to support the agency’s optimization efforts. MANILA, Philippines – The Climate Change Commission (CCC) continues to strengthen its organizational systems and operations through its Optimization Program to improve efficiency and support the faster delivery of climate action. The ongoing initiative seeks to align the Commission’s structure, resources, and operations with its mandate and priorities, with the goal of continuously improving its processes and strengthening its responsiveness to the country’s growing climate needs. As part of this continuing effort, the CCC recently conducted strategic and operational planning workshops with representatives from its divisions, units, and offices. The workshops focused on aligning institutional priorities, identifying areas for improvement, and strengthening coordination across the Commission. The workshops aimed to strengthen the Commission’s institutional capacity to advance national adaptation and mitigation policies and programs, supported by stronger climate data and science, measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV), and monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) systems. These capabilities will help ensure more efficient and accurate planning, monitoring, and decision-making amid the evolving climate risks and needs of the country, while strengthening the delivery of climate policies and programs. CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje underscored the importance of continuously strengthening the institution to effectively respond to climate change. “Climate change continues to pose complex and evolving risks, as seen in recent extreme weather events. Strengthening how we organize, plan, and deliver our programs is essential to ensuring that our policies translate into timely, effective, and meaningful action on the ground,” Borje said. Deputy Executive Director Atty. Romell Antonio O. Cuenca emphasized that organizational efficiency is an ongoing effort essential to delivering responsive public service. “By continuously reviewing and improving our structure, processes, and priorities, we are working to make the Commission more responsive and effective in delivering climate action for the Filipino people,” Cuenca said. The CCC’s Optimization Program forms part of the broader Government Optimization Program (GOP) under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. toward a more agile, efficient, and responsive bureaucracy.  As the Optimization Program progresses, the CCC continues to identify opportunities to strengthen its institution and operations. Further, it will improve internal coordination and enhance the delivery of programs and policies that advance climate resilience and sustainable development across the country. For more information on the CCC’s climate mainstreaming programs and partnerships, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.

Representing the Philippines as chair of the ASEAN Task Force on Carbon Neutrality, CCC Vice Chair and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje pushed action on carbon neutrality at the ASEAN Strategy for Carbon Neutrality Work Plan workshop in Jakarta, Indonesia. JAKARTA — The Climate Change Commission (CCC), representing the Philippines as chair of the ASEAN Task Force on Carbon Neutrality (ATF-CN), called for greater regional cooperation to translate ASEAN’s carbon neutrality strategy into concrete action. CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje said stronger coordination across sectors is to moving from strategy to implementation while recognizing the different development priorities and capacities of ASEAN Member States. “Climate ambition is easy to declare. Delivering it, however, requires ownership,” Borje said at the August 5 validation workshop for the ASEAN Strategy for Carbon Neutrality Work Plan in Jakarta, Indonesia. “The distance between a strategy and a result is measured by the quality of coordination: who acts, who supports, by when, and toward which shared outcome,” he added. Adopted by the ASEAN Economic Community Council in 2023, the ASEAN Strategy for Carbon Neutrality provides a regional framework for an orderly, inclusive and economically beneficial transition to a low-carbon economy. It sets out eight strategic approaches and 16 priority initiatives covering areas such as green value chains, circular economy, green infrastructure and markets, sustainable finance and green skills. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is an important part of addressing climate change, alongside strengthening adaptation and resilience to impacts already being experienced across the region. For the Philippines, regional cooperation on carbon neutrality complements its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and NDC Implementation Plan, which guide mitigation action while taking into account national development priorities. Borje said ASEAN cooperation should help connect work across sectors while supporting implementation by Member States according to their respective national circumstances. “The Sectoral Bodies, as the custodians of sectoral work, are where the real work lives,” he said. “The role of the Task Force for Carbon Neutrality is to help connect initiatives across sectors and carry good sectoral ideas up to the regional level where they can scale.” The Jakarta workshop, convened by the ASEAN Secretariat with support from the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), brought together Member States and relevant ASEAN sectoral bodies as part of continuing work on the Carbon Neutrality Work Plan. The CCC chairs the ATF-CN for the Philippines upon the recommendation of the Department of Trade and Industry, which leads the country’s engagement under the ASEAN Economic Community pillar. Work on the Carbon Neutrality Work Plan will continue through established ASEAN processes before the Task Force reports to the ASEAN Economic Community Council in November. The Climate Change Commission is the country’s lead policy-making body on climate change. Under Republic Act No. 9729, or the Climate Change Act, as amended by Republic Act No. 10174, the CCC is mandated to coordinate, monitor and evaluate government programs and actions on climate change and mainstream climate change into national, sectoral and local development plans and programs. For more information on the CCC’s climate mitigation programs and partnerships, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.

The Climate Change Commission (CCC), together with the Asian Institute of Management (AIM), engaged in knowledge exchange to develop a capstone project proposal that will strengthen evidence-based and data-informed climate action and ecological monitoring through research.   MANILA– The Climate Change Commission (CCC) has partnered with the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) to launch research-based efforts to support evidence-based and data-informed climate action and ecological monitoring in the Philippines through improved datasets and analyses. This also provides support to students from the Sustainable Leadership Learning for Climate and Disaster Risk Reduction (SLL-CDRR) scholarship program, an initiative of Senator Loren Legarda in partnership with the CCC and AIM, which aims to develop future leaders equipped to respond to climate and disaster risks through science, data, and innovation. The initiative also aims to build scholars’ capacity and strengthen their interest in climate-related data generation, analysis, and application—skills that they can use for the programs, activities, and initiatives of their respective agencies. Under the collaboration, Master of Science in Data Science (MSDS) students of AIM will work with the CCC to explore innovative approaches in tracking changes in land use and forests, as well as improving how the country measures and reports greenhouse gas emissions. The initiative seeks to address persistent challenges in producing timely and reliable data to inform climate planning and decision-making. CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje underscored the value of collaboration between government and the academe in addressing the climate crisis. “Climate change continues to intensify, and our response must be anchored on science, data, and strong partnerships. Through this collaboration, we are able to harness the expertise and innovation of our students, ensuring that our efforts remain responsive to national priorities and grounded in evidence,” Borje said. Borje added that strengthening climate data systems is essential to improving transparency and accountability in the country’s climate response. “Reliable and accessible data allows us to understand better risks, track progress, and design policies that deliver real impact on the ground. By investing in data and people, we are strengthening the foundation of a more resilient and climate-informed Philippines,” he said. A total of four AIM MSDS students will undertake the capstone project, working closely with the CCC to contribute to ongoing efforts to strengthen climate data systems, enhance transparency reporting, and support evidence-based policy development. The CCC remains committed to bridge academic knowledge and public sector needs, while empowering the next generation of data scientists to play an active role in advancing climate resilience and sustainable development. For more information on the CCC’s climate mainstreaming activities, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.