MANILA, 7 April 2021 — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) joins the global community in calling for the protection of rights of all people to equal opportunities and adequate access to essential services, in celebration of World Health Day today.   April 7th of each year marks the celebration of World Health Day to draw worldwide attention to a subject of major importance to global health, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3: Ensure Healthy Lives and Promote Well-Being for All at All Ages.   With the theme, “Building a fairer, healthier world for everyone,” this year’s celebration highlights the World Health Organization (WHO) principle that “the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition.”   The COVID-19 pandemic has hit all countries hard, but its impact has been harshest on those communities already facing significant risk and vulnerability to sudden systematic shocks. These communities are also less likely to have access to quality health care services and more likely to experience adverse consequences as a result of measures implemented to contain the pandemic.   In data from the WHO, up to 60% of people living in the Western Pacific region, which includes the Philippines, lack coverage in terms of essential health services. More than 1 billion people living in informal settlements or ‘slums’ are facing increased challenges in preventing infection and transmission of the coronavirus.   At present, the country’s COVID-19 cases top 800,000. As daily cases continue to break previous records, the government imposed Enhanced Community Quarantine in the National Capital Region and its nearby provinces, affecting the livelihoods of millions.   With this, the CCC joins the call to ensure that everyone has living and working conditions that are conducive to good health, and that all people are able to access quality health services depending on their needs and values within their communities.   Moreover, the Commission encourages all Filipinos across the globe to amplify the importance of breaking all forms of gender, social, and health inequities to ensure inclusive recovery from emerging challenges like COVID-19, as well as increased resilience to disasters and climate-related risks.

MANILA, 6 April 2021 — Plant-based chefs will gather virtually to share knowledge on plant-based diets, including preservation of vegetable dishes in Filipino cuisine, and to raise awareness on the power of plant-based food to address the climate crisis on the 40th episode of “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Change Pathways,” with the topic “Oh My Gulay!”   The episode, hosted by three-term former Senator, now Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, will air on Thursday, 8 April 2021, 10:00 AM via Facebook Live through the  Climate Change Commission, Office of Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda and the Department of Education.   Joining the online conversation are sustainable food enthusiasts including Chef Mae Dolonius of Studio Plantmaed; Chef JR Royol, host of GMA’s Farm to Table; and Asha Peri of Ecology of Food to discuss nutritious and sustainable food consumption through easy-to-do, plant-based recipes.   In previous episodes, the online series tackled the importance of preserving local food heritage through sustainable diets, as well as backyard farming, food gardening, saving seeds, and planting organic fruits and vegetables the permaculture way in order to teach the public how to be self-sustainable and self-sufficient.   For this episode, Legarda and guests will highlight how a balanced diet though plant-based foods can present major opportunities to mitigate climate change and adapt to its impact.   Climate change poses a threat to food security. Droughts, floods, sea-level rise, and extreme weather events affect crops and livestock. Globally, an estimated 18% of all greenhouse gas emissions are associated with meat consumption. Further, when food has to travel through a great distance before it reaches the consumer’s table, it utilizes more energy for transportation and preservation, leading to greater carbon emissions.   Moreover, Filipino Food Month is celebrated every April according to Presidential Proclamation 469 signed in 2018, which aims to make sure that the country’s culinary tradition and treasures are appreciated, preserved, and promoted to ensure their transmission to future generations and to support the various industries, farmers, and agri-communities benefiting from it.   In celebration of Filipino Food Month, the upcoming episode will help the viewers understand that the answer to climate change is on our plates – by patronizing local, plant-based, and in-season foods, purchasing fresh local foods from farmer markets and food supplies from the local market, and growing fruits and vegetables in our own backyards.   As an online discussion to promote health, environmental consciousness, and climate-adaptive practices, "Stories for a Better Normal" aims to change the mindset of individuals, families, and communities by demonstrating ways in which a ‘better normal’ can be realized within our communities.   This online discussion is organized in partnership between the Office of Deputy Speaker Legarda and the Climate Change Commission, with support from the Department of Education, Philippine Information Agency, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, The Climate Reality Project-Philippines and Mother Earth Foundation.

MAYNILA, ika-29 Marso taong 2021 — Binigyang-diin ng mga tagasulong at eksperto sa kawayan ang malaking potensyal ng Philippine bamboo industry sa pagbubuo at pagkakaroon natin ng sustenableng pangkabuhayan, socio-economic development at environmental protection sa ika-39 na episode ng “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Pathways,” na may temang “Bamboo is Life!”   Pinangunahan ni dating three-term Senator at ngayo’y Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda ang online na talakayan, na panghuli mula sa makaapat na episode na nakatuon sa pagsuporta sa resilient livelihoods. Kasama bilang mga panauhin sina Deputy Speaker at Ilocos Sur First District Representative Deogracias Victor “DV” Savellano; Mayor Esmie Pineda ng Lubao, Pampanga; Ed Manda na presidente ng Philippine Bamboo Foundation; at Architect Jed Michael de Guzman na isang bamboo material expert at agripreneur.   “Bakit mahalaga ang kawayan para sa mga Pilipino? Tulad din ng kawayan, matitibay tayong mga Pilipino. Pangalawa, mahalaga ito economically, daan-daang taon na itong ginagamit sa ating mga tahanan. Fast-growing pa ito, renewable, at sustainable resource,” pahayag ni Legarda. “Ang kawayan ay maganda rin ecologically. Isa ito sa pinakamahusay na sequesterer ng carbon dioxide. Ayon sa Ecosystems Research Development Bureau (ERDB), nakapag-iipon ng mahigit-kumulang 40-44% na total na dami ng carbon ang matatandang mga kawayan mula sa kanilang biomass," dagdag pa ni Deputy Speaker Legarda.   Ibinahagi ng mga panauhin ang mga initiative na ginagawa sa kani-kanilang mga hurisdiksyon para masuportahan ang Philippine bamboo industry, pati na ang pagpapaunlad ng mas marami pang mga pagkakataon para sa mga nagta-trabaho sa loob ng sektor sa kasalukuyang new normal.   “Sobrang mahalaga ang potensyal ng industriya ng kawayan sa halos lahat ng aspeto ng buhay – sa kalikasan, kabuhayan, kaunlaran, at kinabukasan. Kaya itinatag namin ang ‘Kilusang 5K’ upang hikayatin ang sambayanan na magtanim ng kawayan upang ating matugunan ang climate change at global warming, pagbutihin ang air quality, wakasan ang kahirapan, at makapagbigay ng pagkakakitaang pangkabuhayan para sa lahat,” aniya ni Deputy Speaker Deogracias Victor “DV” Savellano.   “Dito sa Lubao, maliban sa Bamboo Park, mayroon din kaming nursery na mayroong 26 bamboo species. Sa tulong ng DOST at DTI, nagbibigay sila ng mga basic training kung papaano kami makagagawa ng produkto mula sa bamboo, tulad ng speakers, lamps, at frames. Sa kasamaang palad, natigil dahil sa pandemiya, pero nasa proseso pa rin kami ng paghahanap ng ibang bamboo species dahil gusto rin namin mag-propagate ng ibang species,” wika ni Mayor Esmie Pineda.   “Yung massive education campaign, kailangang pagtulung-tulungan. Sa pamamagitan ng education campaign sa ating mga farmer, mas maiintindihan nila ang economic uses ng kawayan. Kasi ‘pag wala silang education diyan at hindi nila naiintindihan, hindi nila papansinin ‘yung kawayan na nandoon lang sa bakuran nila,” sabi ni Ed Manda.   “Bilang arkitekto, sa side po namin, mayro’n tayong kakulangan sa suplay ng kawayan. At kung ano ang kakulangan na ‘yun, gumagawa tayo ng paraan kung papaano pa rin siya magagamit sa paggawa ng istruktura, paggawa ng furniture. At ang problema natin ngayon, maraming arkitekto, maraming contractor ang gustong gumawa na gamit ang kawayan, ngunit kulang sa carpenters, skilled laborers, at wood carvers para gawin ito,” kuwento ni Architect Jed Michael de Guzman.   Binigyang-diin ni Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda ang pangangailangan ng bamboo sector sa bansa ng technical at financial support mula sa pamahalaan upang gawin itong mas competitive sa parehong lokal at international na merkado para makapagbigay ng mga oportunidad gaya ng lokal na trabaho at makapaglunsad ng mga negosyong batay sa kawayan.   “Napakalaki ng interes, passion, initiative, at resources sa bamboo kaya lang, kalat-kalat e. Hindi natin masasabi na walang pondo, [dahil] ang daming pondo. It's just a matter of earmarking. Nasaan ang budget? Ano’ng programa o bureau o ahensya? Sa kabuuang budget, anong porsyento ang ilalaan sa kawayan? Kung walang line item, puwede pa ‘yang i-allocate sa areas ng bamboo production, planting, rehabilitation, conservation, at nurseries,” pagtatapos ni Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda.   Bilang isang online na talakayan upang maisulong ang kalusugan at kamalayang pang-kapaligiran, naglalayon ang "Stories for a Better Normal" na baguhin ang kaisipan ng mga tao, mga pamilya, at mga pamayanan sa pamamagitan ng pagpapakita ng mga pamamaraan kung saan maaaring magkaroon tayo at maisasabuhay natin ang isang ‘better normal’ sa loob ng ating mga pamayanan.   Na-organisa ang online na talakayang ito mula sa pagtutulungan ng tanggapan ni Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda at ng Climate Change Commission (CCC) na binigyang-suporta naman mula sa Department of Education, Philippine Information Agency, Philippine Commission on Women, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, The Climate Reality Project-Philippines and Mother Earth Foundation. 

Photo from the UNDP Philippines’ Facebook Live coverage. MANILA, 27 March 2021 — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) and the Department of Finance (DOF) underscored the importance of accessing climate finance and mobilizing green investments to help increase the country's resilience to shocks from pandemics and the climate crisis. In the "Building Better for a Greener Future" webinar held on March 25, CCC Secretary Emmanuel De Guzman stated that while the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about unprecedented loss in lives and livelihoods and to the global economy, the climate crisis is by far more disastrous, deadlier, more widespread, and lingering. “Its loss and damage are projected to reach USD 600 trillion by the end of the century if the global community misses the 1.5 degrees Celsius Paris goal. Climate change will continue to worsen poverty, vulnerabilities, and risk of our communities to natural hazards as well as to the pandemic. Yet, following a brief decline caused by the lockdowns and economic slowdown, emissions are coming back to pre-pandemic levels,” De Guzman stressed. “To change our perilous path, we need nothing short of a great reset that reforms the ways we’ve lived and regarded our environment. We need to usher in a new kind of development, the kind that ensures socioeconomic equity, ecosystem protection, and cultural resilience. We are in need of a holistic and integrated approach to mobilizing and complementing finance and resources in the public and private sectors,” De Guzman added. De Guzman said that by building on the investments made in the COVID-19 recovery, the implementation of the country’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) can help generate and sustain development gains across Philippine society and our economic sectors. Department of Finance Assistant Secretary Paola Alvarez meanwhile explained that the green finance structure in the Philippines is “made to focus on financial instruments that are designed to help government manage the cost of disasters due to our innate vulnerability, while increasing revenue generation given our context of being an emerging economy.” Alvarez also discussed the government’s efforts on incentivizing sustainability and innovation through the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Law, which aims to provide tax discounts to activities aligned with the Philippine development agenda. She also mentioned of existing climate finance tracking initiatives, such as the Climate Change Expenditure Tagging  (CCET) and the Public Investment Program Online (PIPOL) System. “Climate budgeting is an important additional foundation of the climate change response of the Philippines, and it is in line with the commitments of the Department of Finance in international platforms, such as the Coalition of Finance Ministers. The Philippines champions Helsinki Principle No. 4, which takes into account climate change and macroeconomic planning, fiscal spending, procurement, and other policies. This is where the Nationally Determined Contribution comes into play. We can actually look into what different policies we can put in place to help implement our NDC. And that’s through mainstreaming of climate policies,” Alvarez emphasized. This webinar is part of the Inclusive Innovation webinar series, which is a joint effort by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UNDP Accelerator Labs, and the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), in order to identify policy strategies, incentives, and regulations on green investments and innovative finance that will accelerate the transition towards a green and inclusive recovery. Watch the replay of the webinar through the Facebook Page of the UNDP Philippines at https://web.facebook.com/undp.ph/videos/143294921034606.

MANILA, 27 March 2021 — Echoing the importance of active participation in several grassroots movements to address the changing climate, the Climate Change Commission  (CCC) urges all Filipinos to join in the annual switch-off event happening today, Saturday, 8:30 - 9:30 in the evening in observance of the Earth Hour.   Organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature, Earth Hour aims to unite people across the globe to take action on environmental issues and protect the planet. Since its inception in 2007 in Sydney, Australia, the lights out activity has grown to engage millions of supporters in more than 185 countries and territories, inspiring individuals, businesses, organizations, and governments worldwide to take tangible action for the environment, and driving major legislative changes by harnessing the power of the crowd. This year’s observance will revolve around the theme, “Speak Up For Nature”.   “Beyond being a concrete way of cutting back carbon consumption, this gesture-- a small sacrifice for most-- embodies our collective awareness, our collective responsibility, and our collective resolve to protect our common home, and to act with urgency amid the current climate crisis,” said CCC Secretary Emmanuel M. De Guzman.   “Grassroots movements like the Earth Hour scaffold and amplify the promise to pursue climate justice. With everyone's help, we can dream of wider horizons, while also taking real steps forward,” he added.   The climate body also highly encourages all government offices and institutions, the private sector, and individuals to participate in the said endeavor, and go beyond an hour, to exhibit a stronger commitment to ensuring the safety and resilience of today and future generations.

MANILA, 26 March 2021 — Bamboo experts and advocates highlighted the huge potential of the Philippine bamboo industry in generating sustainable livelihoods, socio-economic development and climate and environmental protection during the 39th episode of “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Pathways,” with the topic “Bamboo is Life!”   The online conversation, hosted by three-term Senator, now Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, was the last of the four-part episode focused on supporting resilient livelihoods. Deputy Speaker and Ilocos Sur First District Representative Deogracias Victor “DV” Savellano; Mayor Esmie Pineda of Lubao, Pampanga; Philippine Bamboo Foundation President Ed Manda; and Architect Jed Michael de Guzman, a bamboo material expert and agripreneur, joined as guests.   “Why is bamboo important for the Filipinos? Just like bamboo, we are resilient people. Second, it is important economically, daan-daang taon na itong ginagamit sa ating mga tahanan. Fast-growing pa ito, renewable, at sustainable resource,” said Legarda. “Bamboo is also good ecologically. It is one of the best sequesterer ng carbon dioxide. Ayon sa Ecosystems Research Development Bureau (ERDB), mature bamboos could store up to 40-44% of the total amount of carbon in their biomass," she added.   The guests shared the initiatives of their respective jurisdiction to support the Philippine bamboo industry, and the development of more opportunities for those working in the sector in the new normal.   “Sobrang mahalaga ang potensyal ng industriya ng kawayan sa halos lahat ng aspeto ng buhay – sa kalikasan, kabuhayan, kaunlaran, at kinabukasan. Kaya itinatag namin ang ‘Kilusang 5K’ upang hikayatin ang sambayanan na magtanim ng kawayan to address climate change and global warming, improve air quality, alleviate poverty, and provide livelihood to everyone,” said Deputy Speaker Savellano.   “Dito sa Lubao, aside sa Bamboo Park, meron din kaming nursery na merong 26 bamboo species. With the help of DOST at DTI, nagbibigay sila ng mga basic trainings kung papaano kami makagagawa ng produkto out of bamboo, tulad ng speakers, lamps, at frames. Sadly, nag-stop dahil sa pandemic, pero we’re still on the process ng paghahanap ng ibang bamboo species dahil gusto rin namin mag-propagate ng ibang species,” said Mayor Pineda.   “Yung massive education campaign, kailangang pagtulung-tulungan. With the education campaign sa ating mga farmers, mas maiintindihan nila ang economic uses ng kawayan. Kasi pag wala silang education diyan at hindi nila naiintindihan, hindi nila papansinin yung kawayan na nandoon lang sa bakuran nila,” said Manda.   “Bilang arkitekto, sa side po namin, meron tayong kakulangan sa suplay ng kawayan. At kung ano ang kakulangan na yun, gumagawa tayo ng paraan kung papaano pa rin siya magagamit sa paggawa ng istruktura, paggawa ng furniture. At ang problema natin ngayon, maraming arkitekto, maraming contractor ang gustong gumawa na gamit ang kawayan, ngunit kulang sa carpenters, skilled laborers, at wood carvers para gawin ito,” said Architect de Guzman.   Legarda stressed that the country’s bamboo sector requires technical and financial support from the government to make it more competitive in both local and international markets to provide opportunities for local employment and to establish bamboo-based enterprises.   “There's so much interest, passion, initiative, and resources sa bamboo kaya lang, kalat-kalat e. Hindi natin masasabi na walang pondo, [dahil] ang daming pondo. It's just a matter of earmarking. Where is it in the budget? Which program or bureau or agency? Of the whole budget, what percentage is dedicated to bamboo? Kung walang line item, pwede pa ‘yang i-allocate sa areas ng bamboo production, planting, rehabilitation, conservation, and nurseries,” Legarda concluded.   As an online discussion to promote health, environmental consciousness, and climate-adaptive practices, "Stories for a Better Normal" aims to change the mindset of individuals, families, and communities by demonstrating ways in which a ‘better normal’ can be realized within our communities.   This online discussion is organized in partnership between the Office of Deputy Speaker Legarda and the Climate Change Commission, with support from the Department of Education, Philippine Information Agency, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, The Climate Reality Project-Philippines and Mother Earth Foundation. 

MAYNILA, ika-24 March 2021 — Kasama ang ilan sa mga tagasulong at eksperto sa usaping kawayan, tatalakayin ang pagtatanim ng kawayan at ang mga pagkakataong mapaunlad pa ang kabuhayan mula sa kawayan sa kasalukuyang "new normal" sa ika-39 na episode ng “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Change Pathways,” na may temang  “Bamboo is Life!” Ito ang panghuli mula sa makaapat na episode na nakatuon sa pagsuporta sa resilient livelihoods.   Sa pangunguna ni Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, mapapanood ang episode na ito ngayong Huwebes ika-25 ng Marso 2021, 10:00 AM via Facebook Live sa facebook.com/CCCPhl at facebook.com/iamlorenlegarda.   Kabilang sa online na kuwentuhan na naglalayong makabuo ng mas malawakang pampublikong suporta para sa industriya ng pagkakawayan sina Deputy Speaker at Ilocos Sur First District Representative Deogracias Victor “DV” Savellano; Mayor Esmie Pineda ng Lubao, Pampanga; Philippine Bamboo Foundation President Ed Manda; at Architect Jed Michael de Guzman, isang bamboo material expert at agripreneur.   Matatandaang sa nakaraang mga episode, tinalakay sa online na serye ang papel ng industriya ng traditional weaving, pottery, at kape sa pagbibigay ng mga pagkakataong magkaroon ng sustenableng maka-kapaligiran na pagkakakitaang pangkabuhayan habang pinapangalagaan ang pamanang pang-kultura at lokal na  sining.   Samantala, sa episode na ito, bibigyang-diin ng mga panauhin ang taglay na potensyal ng bamboo industry bilang isang nature-based solution na makatutulong makapagpagaan sa kahirapan at malabanan ang epekto ng climate change.   Makalilikha ng green jobs ang pagpapalaganap ng mga kawayan tulad ng iba pang sustainable livelihoods para sa mga mamamayan sa mga rural areas.   Bilang isang online na talakayan upang maisulong ang kalusugan at kamalayang pang-kapaligiran, naglalayon ang "Stories for a Better Normal" na baguhin ang kaisipan ng mga tao, mga pamilya, at mga pamayanan sa pamamagitan ng pagpapakita ng mga pamamaraan kung saan maaaring magkaroon tayo at maisasabuhay natin ang isang ‘better normal’ sa loob ng ating mga pamayanan.   Na-organisa ang online na talakayang ito mula sa pagtutulungan ng tanggapan ni Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda at ng Climate Change Commission (CCC) na binigyang-suporta naman mula sa Department of Education, Philippine Information Agency, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, The Climate Reality Project-Philippines and Mother Earth Foundation. 

MANILA, 23 March 2021 — Bamboo experts and advocates will gather virtually to share knowledge on bamboo farming and opportunities in bamboo development in the new normal on the 39th episode of “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Change Pathways,” with the topic “Bamboo is Life!” This is the last of the four-part episode which focuses on supporting resilient livelihoods.   The episode, hosted by three-term former Senator, now Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, will air on Thursday, 25 March 2021, 10:00 AM via Facebook Live at facebook.com/CCCPhl and facebook.com/iamlorenlegarda.   Joining the online conversation to generate broader public support to the bamboo industry are Deputy Speaker and Ilocos Sur First District Representative Deogracias Victor “DV” Savellano; Mayor Esmie Pineda of Lubao, Pampanga; Philippine Bamboo Foundation President Ed Manda; and Architect Jed Michael de Guzman, a bamboo material expert and agripreneur.   In previous episodes, the online series tackled the role of traditional weaving, pottery, and coffee industry in providing environmentally-sustainable and viable livelihood options to communities, while preserving cultural heritage and local craftspersonship.   In this episode, Legarda and guests will highlight the potential of the bamboo industry as a nature-based solution that can help in poverty alleviation, environmental protection, and climate change adaptation and mitigation.   Propagating bamboos can create green jobs and resilient enterprises, as well as provide sustainable livelihoods to millions of people in rural areas. Investing on bamboo can transform people's lives at the grassroots and pave the way for a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for the country.   As an online discussion to promote health, environmental consciousness, and climate-adaptive practices, "Stories for a Better Normal" aims to change the mindset of individuals, families, and communities by demonstrating ways in which a ‘better normal’ can be realized within our communities.   This online discussion is organized in partnership with the Office of Deputy Speaker Legarda and the Climate Change Commission, with support from the Department of Education, Philippine Information Agency, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, The Climate Reality Project-Philippines and Mother Earth Foundation.

The Sibalom Natural Park, a 5,511.47-hectare lowland forest in Panay, was declared as a protected area in April 2000 by virtue of Presidential Proclamation 282 under RA No. 7586 or the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act. Photo from Sibalom Natural Park Protected Area Management Board Facebook Page. MANILA, 20 March 2021 — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) called on the public to help sustain healthy forests and create a climate-resilient future for all, in celebration of the International Day of Forests. The United Nations (UN) General Assembly marks March 21 of each year as the International Day of Forests. This year’s theme, "Forests: A path to recovery and well-being," aims to increase appreciation on the values, significance, and contributions of all types of forests and to raise awareness on deforestation and other threats they face. Forests cover about one-third of the Earth’s land mass, providing habitat for 80% of the terrestrial species of animals and plants. Around 1.6 billion people, including more than 2,000 indigenous cultures, depend on forests for their livelihoods, medicine, fuel, food, and shelter. Forests support the water cycle on earth, maintaining the balance of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and humidity in the atmosphere; protecting watersheds, which supply fresh water to communities; and preventing soil erosion and global warming. They are the largest storehouses of carbon after oceans, storing carbon in forest biomass, soils, and products equivalent to about 10% of carbon emissions projected for the first half of this century. Despite the ecological, economic, social, and health benefits of forests, global deforestation continues at an alarming rate—with 13 million hectares of forests being destroyed annually, removing vital habitats for plant and animal species, lowering carbon dioxide absorption and oxygen production, and increasing the world’s carbon footprint. Deforestation accounts for 12-20% of the global greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change, which also makes forests become increasingly vulnerable to changes in weather, temperature and rainfall patterns. A study published by Scientific Reports on the “Effects of climate change and land cover on the distributions of a critical tree family in the Philippines”[1] revealed how climate change affects species of Philippine hardwood trees, such as yakal, apitong, guijo, hagakhak, and white lauan, and that areas suitable for the growth of these trees has already reduced their distribution by a median of 67%, with those within legislated protected areas by 37%. The study noted that most affected areas were in Southern Luzon and Northern Visayas. Increasing temperatures can exacerbate the situation of the tress, which are already affected by deforestation and land use, said Sean Pang, the study’s lead author. With this, the CCC urges all government instrumentalities, businesses and industries, the civil society, and all stakeholders to undertake and support efforts that would restore the health of our forests through more effective policies and measures, innovative solutions and approaches, and funding support. In this International Day of Forests, the CCC expressed that everyone must work together to ensure a more sustainable and more resilient environment for our Filipino nation and the world.   [1] Pang, S.E.H., De Alban, J.D.T. & Webb, E.L. Effects of climate change and land cover on the distributions of a critical tree family in the Philippines. Sci Rep 11, 276 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-79491-9

Philippine marine debris. Photo from the World Wide Fund for Nature website at: https://wwf.panda.org/discover/knowledge_hub/where_we_work/coraltriangle/?329831/The-scourge-of-single-use-plastic-in-the-Philippines/. MANILA — The Climate Change Commission welcomed the adoption of a bill banning single-use plastics in a meeting of the House of Representatives Committee on Ecology Thursday, March 18, lauding the move as a critical step in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing climate change. The House bill consolidates the 38 bills and four House resolutions seeking to phase-out or regulate single-use plastics, including a bill filed by House Speaker Lord Allan Jay Velasco. The resulting substitute bill was adopted in a meeting presided over by Committee Chair Rep. Glona Labadlabad, and will now be submitted to the plenary after several meetings and consultations with stakeholders and experts held by a technical working group chaired by Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Benitez. “We have been addicted to the use of plastics. It’s been implicit in many of our habits and it plays an important role in the way our economy works, but at the same time we are in the middle of an environmental crisis that really cannot wait for us to take much longer in order to address the cries of Mother Nature,” said Benitez, who acknowledged the need to address the concerns of industry but emphasized the urgency needed to protect the environment. Benitez also discussed the bill’s salient points during the Committee’s deliberation. “There is a transition period and tiers of single-use plastic products that will be regulated in varying degrees—the first tier is intended to be phased out within one year,” Benitez explained. “The second component of the bill is an Expanded Producers Responsibility to reduce and recover single-use plastic products in the market and avoid their leaking into the environment through the development of alternative products, offsetting their plastic footprints, and buyback schemes of whatever is released into the market,” he added. “The third component is environmental education to help modify the behavior of our consumers and wean us away from our difficult addiction to plastic use,” Benitez said. “The last component is the sharing of revenues from fees and penalties between the National Solid Waste Management Commission and the barangays to help provide the barangays a source of fund to enhance material recovery and solid waste management programs on the ground,” he concluded. CCC Commissioner Rachel Herrera, one of the resource persons present at the Committee’s meeting, lauded the bill’s approval. “The House Committee on Ecology’s adoption of the bill banning single-use plastics brings us closer to achieving our targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. If passed into law, this will help Filipinos survive climate impacts as we will reduce risks of flooding and manage our increasing carbon footprint,” Herrera added. In its Roadmap for Sustainability on Single-Use Plastics, the United Nations Environment Programme warns that the world’s capacity to cope with plastic waste has already been overwhelmed. With only 9% of the world’s plastic waste being recycled and the rest ending up in landfills, dumps, or in the environment, the report estimates that there will be 12 billion tons of plastic litter in landfills and the environment by 2050. Aside from the environmental impact, the UN also warns of the numerous health problems and vast economic damage caused by plastic waste. The CCC, led by its Chairperson-designate Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez, has been advocating for the passage of the bill and lending its expertise as the TWG refined and consolidated proposals. The CCC has earlier emphasized that it is aligned with the aims of the bill “to advance realistic solutions to address the challenge of single-use plastics pollution and provide a clear pathway for the pursuit of sustainable consumption and production.”

The Department of Education supports the need to integrate climate change concepts in the K-12 Program to increase knowledge and appreciation of climate science among youth. Photo from the Facebook livestream of the 38th Episode of Stories For A Better Normal. MANILA, 19 March 2021 — Filipina leaders in climate and disaster risk resilience highlighted the extraordinary roles of women in the field of disaster risk reduction (DRR), climate change adaptation (CCA), and in national pandemic recovery during the 38th episode of “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Pathways,” with the topic “Juana Laban sa Krisis sa Klima at Pandemya: Kaya!” The online conversation hosted by three-term Senator, now Deputy Speaker and Antique Representative Loren Legarda, was a special episode in celebration of the National Women’s Month. Atty. Lesley Jeanne Cordero, Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist of World Bank; Ms. Lara Jean Salaysay, a Climate Reality Leader and Project Development Officer of the Department of Education (DepEd); and Ms. Louise Mabulo, a United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Young Champion of the Earth 2019, joined as guests. “We've been advocating for women in politics and governance, and this is nothing new today in times of pandemic. I'm so happy that many have taken up the action to embrace women in governance and women in resilience,” said Legarda, who is a UNISDR Global Champion of Resilience, UNFCCC National Adaptation Plan Champion, and Commissioner of the Global Commission on Adaptation. The Filipina champions of resilience shared their trailblazing work in DRR, CCA, and in national pandemic recovery. "We need to communicate better. We need to speak in a language that is understood by the people affected by disasters, as well as the local government units so they can participate, they can help, and they can contribute in the rehabilitation and recovery efforts," said Atty. Cordero. "Ang programa natin sa climate change education ay para sa ating mga learners, kumbaga ito ay child-centered. Gusto po natin na sila ang bida, sila ang nagsasalita, at sila din yung kikilos para sa climate change adaptation at mitigation. Naniniwala po tayo na sa climate crisis, lahat tayo ay may pag-asa, lalung-lalo na ang kabataan. Sa DepEd, tinutulungan natin sila na i-unlock ang kanilang potential upang solusyunan o mag-adapt at mitigate sa climate change," said Salaysay. “We’re breaking down the negative stigma associated with agriculture. We think of agriculture as associated with poverty, unsustainability, and failure, which is problematic, hindi to maganda para sa mga farmers natin at industries. What we’re trying to do is to show people and yung mga kabataan ngayon that farming is cool, and it’s really fun, and that it can be used as a means for green stewardship,” said Mabulo. Legarda emphasized the need to harness the strength of women in reducing social vulnerability and increasing local capacity to ensure the sustainability, inclusivity and resilience of local, and national development pursuits. By ensuring that they are able to adapt to climate and disaster risks, and be leaders and active communicators, this will also allow them to be champions of resilience. “I hope the issue of climate, DRR and resilience will go viral. When will that happen? I want to meet more and to be more with young women like you. Let us continue doing our COVID recovery attuned to the climate pathway during this pandemic,” Legarda concluded. As an online discussion to promote health, environmental consciousness, and climate-adaptive practices, "Stories for a Better Normal" aims to change the mindset of individuals, families, and communities by demonstrating ways in which a ‘better normal’ can be realized within our communities. This online discussion is organized in partnership between the Office of Deputy Speaker Legarda and the Climate Change Commission, with support from the Department of Education, Philippine Information Agency, Philippine Commission on Women, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, The Climate Reality Project-Philippines and Mother Earth Foundation.

MAYNILA, ika-17 ng  Marso taong 2021 — Alinsunod sa pagdiriwang ng National Women’s Month, pag-uusapan virtually ng mga Pilipinang lider sa usaping climate resilience ang makabagong mga gawain at pagkilos ng mga kababaihan ukol sa disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, at pati na rin ang national pandemic recovery sa ika-38 na episode ng “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Change Pathways,” na may temang, “Juana Laban sa Krisis sa Klima at Pandemya: Kaya!”   Sa pangunguna ni dating three-term Senator at ngayo’y Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, mapapanood ang episode na ito ngayong Huwebes ika-18 ng Marso 2021, 10:00 AM via Facebook Live sa facebook.com/CCCPhl at facebook.com/iamlorenlegarda.   Kasama sa online na talakayan ang mga kababaihang kampeon sa larangan ng resilience na sina Atty. Lesley Jeanne Cordero, Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist ng World Bank;  Ms. Lara Jean Salaysay, isang Climate Reality Leader at Project Development Officer ng Department of Education (DepEd); at si Ms. Louise Mabulo, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Young Champion of the Earth 2019.   Matatandaang sa nakaraang mga episode, pinag-usapan sa online na serye ang sari-saring mga kuwento ng mga mamamayang Pilipino mula sa iba't ibang mga sektor at mga rehiyon sa bansa na patuloy na nakikibaka sa mga epektong dulot ng pandemyang COVID-19  at ng climate crisis.   Para sa episode na ito, bibigyang-diin ni Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda at ng kaniyang mga panauhin ang ekstraordinaryong papel ng ordinaryong mga Juanas sa ating lipunan sa gitna ng pandemyang COVID-19, para lamang maka-inspire at ma-empower ang ating mga kababaihan, matanda man o bata pa na sila'y maaaring maging mga champions of resilience sa kani-kanilang mga paraan.   “Kapag binibigyang kakayanan natin ang kababaihang siguruhin na kaya nilang 'di lamang makasabay kun'di makaahon sa climate at disaster risks at tuluyan na ring mamuno at maging aktibong mga communicators sa usaping disaster risk reduction at climate change adaptation 'di lang natin mapipigilan na sila'y maging biktima ng mga sakuna, kun'di binibigyang pagkakataon din natin silang maging mga champions of resilience,” pahayag ni Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, na isang UNISDR Global Champion of Resilience, UNFCCC National Adaptation Plan Champion, at Commissioner of the Global Commission on Adaptation.   Bilang isang online na talakayan upang maisulong ang kalusugan at kamalayang pang-kapaligiran, naglalayon ang "Stories for a Better Normal" na baguhin ang kaisipan ng mga tao, mga pamilya, at mga pamayanan sa pamamagitan ng pagpapakita ng mga pamamaraan kung saan maaaring magkaroon tayo at maisasabuhay natin ang isang ‘better normal’ sa loob ng ating mga pamayanan.   Na-organisa ang online na talakayang ito mula sa pagtutulungan ng tanggapan ni Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda at ng Climate Change Commission (CCC) na binigyang-suporta naman mula sa Department of Education, Philippine Information Agency, Philippine Commission on Women, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, The Climate Reality Project-Philippines and Mother Earth Foundation.

MANILA, 16 March 2021 — In line with the celebration of the National Women’s Month, Filipina climate resilience leaders will gather virtually to put a spotlight on the innovative work of women in disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and in national pandemic recovery on the 38th episode of “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Change Pathways,” with the topic, “Juana Laban sa Krisis sa Klima at Pandemya: Kaya!”   The episode, hosted by three-term former Senator, now Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, will air on Thursday, 18 March 2021, 10:00 AM via Facebook Live at facebook.com/CCCPhl and facebook.com/iamlorenlegarda.   Joining the online conversation are women champions of resilience, including Atty. Lesley Jeanne Cordero, Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist of World Bank; Ms. Lara Jean Salaysay, a Climate Reality Leader and Project Development Officer of the Department of Education (DepEd); and Ms. Louise Mabulo, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Young Champion of the Earth 2019.   In previous episodes, the online series featured different stories of Filipino people from various sectors and regions of the country coping up with the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic and climate crisis.   For this episode, Legarda and guests will highlight the extraordinary roles of ordinary Juanas in the society amid the COVID-19 pandemic, to inspire and empower women and girls to be champions of resilience in their own ways.   “When we empower women to ensure that they are able to adapt to climate and disaster risks and be leaders and active communicators in disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation we do not only prevent them from becoming victims of disasters, but we also allow them to be champions of resilience,” said Legarda, who is a UNISDR Global Champion of Resilience, UNFCCC National Adaptation Plan Champion, and Commissioner of the Global Commission on Adaptation.   As an online discussion to promote health, environmental consciousness, and climate-adaptive practices, "Stories for a Better Normal" aims to change the mindset of individuals, families, and communities by demonstrating ways in which a ‘better normal’ can be realized within our communities.   This online discussion is organized in partnership between the Office of Deputy Speaker Legarda and the Climate Change Commission, with support from the Philippine Commission on Women, Department of Education, Philippine Information Agency, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, The Climate Reality Project-Philippines and Mother Earth Foundation. 

Photo from pexels.com. MANILA, 15 March 2021 — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) calls for banning of non-essential and single-use plastics as part of enforcing ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from all sectors. The Commission said that the problem on plastics is not only a waste or pollution issue, but also a climate issue. Plastics become an essential component of products and packaging due to its durability, lightweight, and low cost. Despite its numerous benefits, plastics originate as fossil fuels and emit GHGs which worsens the climate. According to the “Plastic & Climate: The Hidden Costs of a Plastic Planet” released by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), GHGs are emitted at each of the stages of the plastic lifecycle: 1) fossil fuel extraction and transport, 2) plastic refining and manufacture, 3) managing plastic waste, and 4) plastic’s ongoing impact once it reaches oceans, waterways, and landscape. The extraction and transport of fossil fuels to create plastic produces GHG through methane leakage and flaring, fuel combustion and energy consumption in the process of drilling for oil or gas, and through land disturbance when forests and fields are cleared for well pads and pipelines. Even plastic refining also produces emissions. Plastics that are landfilled, recycled, or incinerated also produce emissions. While landfilling plastics emits the least, it, in turn, presents other significant risks, like on health and on the environment. Recycling has moderate emissions. Incineration is the primary driver of emissions from plastic waste management. Unmanaged plastic ends up in the environment, where it continues to have climate impacts as it degrades. Plastics at the ocean’s surface, coastlines, riverbanks, and landscapes continually release methane and other GHGs, and that these emissions increase as plastic breaks down further. Microplastic in the oceans also interfere with the ocean’s capacity to absorb and sequester carbon dioxide. Microscopic plants and animals play a critical role in the biological carbon pump that captures carbon at the ocean’s surface and transports it into the deep oceans, preventing it from re-entering the atmosphere. Around the world, these plankton are being contaminated with microplastic. Plastic pollution reduces the ability of phytoplankton to fix carbon through photosynthesis. It also reduces the metabolic rates, reproductive success, and survival of zooplankton that transfer the carbon to the deep ocean. The report also expressed that the plastic industries’ plans to expand plastic production threaten to exacerbate plastic’s climate impacts and could make limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C impossible. “If the production, disposal, and incineration of plastic continue on its present growth trajectory, by 2030, these global emissions could reach 1.34 gigatons per year—equivalent to more than 295 five-hundred-megawatt coal plants. By 2050, plastic production and incineration could emit 2.8 gigatons of CO2 per year, releasing as much emissions as 615 five-hundred-megawatt coal plants,” the report stated. To avoid overshooting the 1.5°C target, the report suggested to aggregate global greenhouse emissions within a remaining (and quickly declining) carbon budget of 420–570 gigatons of carbon. “But if the growth in plastic production and incineration continues as predicted, the cumulative greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 will be over 56 gigatons CO2e, or between 10–13 percent of the total remaining carbon budget. By 2100, exceedingly conservative assumptions would result in cumulative carbon emissions from plastic of nearly 260 gigatons, or well over half of the carbon budget,” the report added. With this data, the CCC is highly concerned with the problems of plastic, especially at the local scale. The climate body said that the most effective way to address the plastic crisis is to dramatically reduce the production of unnecessary plastics, beginning with national and global bans on nearly all single-use and disposable ones.

Larawan mula sa pexels.com. MAYNILA, Ika-15  Marso taong 2021 — Nananawagan ang Climate Change Commission (CCC) para sa tuwirang pagbabawal ng mga non-essential at single-use plastics bilang bahagi ng pagpa-patupad ng ating ambisyosong mga layunin na mabawasan ang greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions mula sa lahat ng mga sektor.   Sinabi ng Commission na ang problema natin sa mga plastics ay hindi lamang usapin ng waste or pollution, kundi usapin din ito ng climate. Ang plastics ay naging isa sa napaka-halagang bahagi ng ating mga produkto sa usapin ng packaging dahil sa mga katangiang mayroon ito tulad ng durability, ang pagiging lightweight, at low cost. Sa kabila ng marami nitong mga kapakinabanggan, ang plastics ay nagmumula sa fossil fuels na syang nag-e emit ng GHGs na syang nagpa-palala ng kundisyon ng ating klima.   Ayon sa ulat/pagaaral na “Plastic & Climate: The Hidden Costs of a Plastic Planet” na inilathala Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), ang GHGs ay na e-emit sa bawat stage ng plastic lifecycle: 1) pagta-tanggal at pagta-transport ng fossil fuel, 2) plastic refining at manufacturing, 3) pamamahala sa mga basurang plastic, at 4) ang patuloy na pinsalang dulot ng plastics kapag humantong na ito sa ating mga karagatan, mga daluyang-tubig, at ang kabuuang kalagayan ng lugar.   Ang extraction at transport ng mga fossil fuels para lamang makagawa ng plastic ay syang nagpo-produce ng GHG sa pamamagitan ng methane leakage at flaring, fuel combustion at energy consumption sa proseso ng paghuhukay natin para sa oil o gas, at sa pamamagitan ng land disturbance kapag ang mga kagubatan at mga kapatagan ay nililinis at pinapatag para lamang makagawa tayo ng well pads at pipelines. Kahit na ang plastic refining ay nakagagawa rin ng mapag-pinsalang mga emissions.   Ang mga plastic na napupunta sa mga landfill, at nare-recycle, o di kaya'y sinusunog ay nakapag-poproduce din ng emissions. Habang nasa proseso tayo ng landfilling ng plastic, nakapag-dudulot din ito ng iba pang napaka-hahalagang mga panganib, tulad ng sa kalusugan at sa kapaligiran. Ang recycling ang syang nakapag-dudulot lamang ng bahagyang mga emissions. Habang ang pagsusunog ay syang pangunahing dahilan ng mapinsalang mga emissions mula sa pamamahala ng mga basurang plastic.   Ang mga plastics na palutang-lutang nalang sa ibabaw ng karagatan, mga baybayin,  mga pampang, at tanawin  ay patuloy na bumubuga o nagpapakawala ng methane at iba pang mga GHGs, at ang mga  emissions na ito ay nadaragdagan habang ang mga plastic ay patuloy na nabubulok.   Ang mga microplastics na nakakalat sa ating mga karagatan ay nakagagambala din sa kakayahan nitong maka-absorb at maka-sequester ng carbon dioxide. Ang microscopic na mga hayop at halaman ay gumaganap ng isang napaka-halagang papel sa loob ng  biological carbon pump na syang humuhuli sa carbon na lumulutang sa ibabaw ng karagatan at dinadala nya ito sa kailaliman ng mga karagatan, ito rin ang pumipigil sa muling pagpasok nito sa ating atmosphere. Sa buong mundo ang mga plankton na ito ay nagiging  contaminated  na nang  mga microplastics na nakakalat at naka tambak lang. Nakakabawas sa kakayahan ng mga phytoplankton na ayusin ang carbon sa pamamagitan ng photosynthesis ang plastic pollution. Nakakabawas din ito sa metabolic rates, reproductive success, at survival ng mga zooplankton na maglipat ng carbon sa kailaliman ng karagatan.   Ipinahiwatig din sa ulat na ang mga industriya ng plastic ay nag abala na palawakin pa ang kanilang produksyon na sya ring nagbabantang makapag-palala pa ng masasamang mga epekto ng plastics sa klima at kung saan maaaring gawing imposible ang layunin nating mapigilan ang pagtaas ng global temperature rise bago pa ito umabot ng 1.5°C.   “Kung ang produksyon, pagtatapon, at pagsusunog ng plastics ay hahayaan na lamang nating mavpatuloy sa kaslukuyan nitong  growth trajectory, pagdating ng taong 2030, ang mga global emissions na ito ay maaaring umabot na sa 1.34 gigatons kada taon—maaaring umabot sa mahigit kumulang na to 295 five-hundred-megawatt coal plants. Pag-abot natin ng taong 2050, ang produksyon ng plastics at pag susunog nito ay maaaring maka- emit 2.8 gigatons ng CO2 kada taon, na naka pag-papawala ng mahigit kumulang na 615 five-hundred-megawatt na bulto at lawak ng emissions na mula sa mga "coal plants", ayon sa naka saad sa ulat.   Para lamang maiwasan ang pag- overshoot natin sa 1.5°C target, iminungkahi ng ulat na pagsama-samahin natin ang nai-ipong global greenhouse emissions sa loob ng natitirang  (quickly declining) at mabilis nang nauubos na carbon budget na  420–570 gigatons.   “Pero kung ang paglago ng plastic production  at pag susunog natin ay mag papatuloy na tulad ng ating inaakala, ang pinag-patong patong na greenhouse gas emissions, ito ngayon ay aabot ng mahigit pa sa 56 gigatons CO2e pag dating ng taon 2050, o mahigit kumulang na  10–13 percent ng kabuuang natitirang carbon budget pag dating ng taon 2100, ang sobrang labis na konserbatibong mga pala-palagay ay mag bubunga ulit ng pinag-patong patong na carbon emissions mula sa plastics na halos umabot na sa  260 gigatons,  o lagpas pa sa kalahati sa carbon budget,”  dagdag pa ng ulat.   Gamit ang data na ito, ang Climate Change Commission ( CCC) ay lubos na nag aalala ukol sa mga problema natin sa plastics, lalung lalo na sa pang-lokal na antas. Sinabi ng climate body na ang pinaka epektibong paraan upang matugunan ang plastic crisis ay ang biglaan at lubusang pag babawas sa produksyon ng mga di kinakailangang o unnecessary plastics, kung saan kinakailangan nating magsimula sa national hanggang umabot tayo sa global bans ng halos lahat ng single-use at disposable plastics.

Robusta coffee trees of Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda in Tagaytay City. Photo from the PowerPoint presentation of the Deputy Speaker during the 37th episode of Stories For A Better Normal. MANILA, 12 March 2021 — Filipina coffee enthusiasts highlighted the state of the local coffee industry in the Philippines and called for increased coffee promotion and production in the 37th episode of “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Pathways,” hosted by three-term Senator, now House Deputy Speaker and Antique Representative Loren Legarda. The third part of the resilient livelihoods episode with the topic, “Kwentong Kape ng Kababaihan” featured all-Filipina guests including Pacita “Chit” Juan, co-chair of Philippine Coffee Board, Inc.; Jocelyn Mamar, a coffee farmer; and Rosario Juan, Chief Executive Officer of the Commune Café, in celebration of Women’s Month. “Bakit kape? Ano ang koneksyon niyan sa climate change? Tatlong aspeto ang nakaaapekto sa climate change, at ang climate change ay nakaaapekto sa pang-araw-araw na buhay. Una, urban governance, kung papaano sinusunod ang ating batas. Pangalawa, ecosystems decline, ‘pag kalbo ang bundok at marumi ang lawa at ilog, papaano na tayo? At pangatlo, dito papasok ang kape - rural livelihoods - ang kabuhayan ng mga kababayan sa kanayunan, ang pinagkakakitaan ng ating micro and small enterprises. Papaano na ang coffee farmers, ano ang epekto ng pandemya at papaano tayo makatutulong dito,” said Legarda, who launched a special coffee blend made from Robusta beans, “Lola Mameng’s”, named after her maternal grandmother who planted coffee trees many years ago. The guest coffee connoisseurs have shown and presented the long and meticulous process of coffee-making – from farming and harvesting, drying, milling – up to roasting and serving. They also discussed how the coffee farmers and businesses are coping up with the impacts of a pandemic as well as climate change. "Noong 2002, kami ay nagconduct ng trainings around the country at meron kaming kaakibat na LGU, PGU, or organizations. Ngayon, mayroon kaming project with USAID para sa mga kababaihan sa walong bayan na pinagkukunan ng kape at ginagawaan ng programa para ma-connect ang farmers sa mga buyers. At sa tulong ng Department of Trade and Industry - Export Management Bureau, kami ay nag-present ng green beans at kung papaano ito pwedeng ibenta sa ibang lugar para makilala ang Philippine Coffee. Alam natin na maliit lang ang produksyon nito at dapat bago tayo mag-export, ipakilala natin ang sarap ng Philippine coffee." said Chit. "Ine-encourage talaga namin na magtanim ng kape, at ‘wag gumamit ng synthetic fertilizers. Dapat yung organic lang. Kung ano ‘yung waste natin, ibabalik natin sa farm," said Mamar. “It was really our vision and mission to promote Philippine coffee. Mula pagbukas namin noong 2013, ang ino-offer lang namin na kape ay ang kapeng galing sa Pilipinas. Ang sinasabi ng mga tao ay “Huh? May kape ba tayo?”, ‘yung iba naman “Huh? Masarap ba ‘yung kape natin?” ‘Yun ang naging challenge for us to really show people and let them taste good coffee from the Philippines,” said Rosario. Legarda reiterated the need to establish an inventory of coffee farms all over the Philippines, and also called for increased appreciation and support for the women coffee makers who continuously uplift the coffee culture in the country. “This is not the last for coffee because there’s much to learn and much to do to help our coffee farmers. Hindi po kailangan ng sampung ektarya o magmana ng maliit na lupa. Kahit sampung puno, kayang magtanim ng kape. Dapat nating maitaas ang antas ng kabuhayan ng ating mga kababaihang gumagawa ng kape,” Legarda concluded. As an online discussion to promote health, environmental consciousness, and climate-adaptive practices, "Stories for a Better Normal" aims to change the mindset of individuals, families, and communities by demonstrating ways in which a ‘better normal’ can be realized within our communities. This online discussion is organized in partnership between the Office of Deputy Speaker Legarda and the Climate Change Commission, with support from the Department of Education, Philippine Information Agency, Philippine Commission on Women, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, The Climate Reality Project-Philippines and Mother Earth Foundation.

According to Consumers International, 50% of all plastic produced every year are used and then thrown away in just minutes. Photo from the PowerPoint presentation of the Department of Trade and Industry. MANILA, 12 March 2021 — During the 1st Meeting of the Cabinet Cluster on Climate Change Adaptation, Mitigation and Disaster Risk Reduction (CCAM-DRR) Technical Working Group (TWG) on Circular Economy, Sustainable Consumption and Production, and Single-Use Plastics, the Climate Change Commission (CCC) recommended that the preferred approach of waste avoidance and reduction include the phasing out of single-use plastics.   “There is broad support for the campaign because we have at least 489 cities, municipalities, and provinces banning and regulating single-use plastics. A national ban is urgent to support our programs on climate-resilient recovery and environmental conservation, and to reduce our country’s growing carbon footprint,” said CCC Commissioner Rachel Herrera.   Government agencies presented ongoing initiatives and studies done with development and private sectors, which was created following the presentation to the Cabinet Cluster of the Resolution “Adopting the Principles of Sustainable Consumption and Production, Towards Regulation and Phaseout of Single-Use Plastics and a Responsible Transition to the Use of Environment-Friendly Products” on January 27, 2021. The meeting was held to align and consolidate sustainability and resilience efforts within the government.   “Indeed, plastic pollution is a public health, waste management, and climate change concern. And this really underscores the urgent need to promote circular economy and sustainable consumption and production in our governance and societal systems,” said Assistant Director Vizminda Osorio of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Environment and Management Bureau (DENR-EMB), who chaired the TWG meeting.   “For DENR, strategies and programmatic activities for the prevention, reduction, and management of marine litter have been set. Our overarching goal is to have zero waste in Philippine waters by 2040 through responsibility and accountability,” Dir. Osorio added as she presented the National Plan of Action for the Prevention, Reduction and Management of Marine Litter under their review.   Undersecretary Mercedita Sombilla of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said that “the implementation of the national action plan will require multi-stakeholder collaboration, adding that, “There is a need for legislative reforms on food and electronic waste management, extended producer responsibility and sustainable public procurement. Electronic waste is especially relevant with the increased demand for electronics during the pandemic quarantine.”   For Undersecretary Ruth Castelo of the Department of Trade and Industries-Consumer Protection Group (DTI-CPG), making everybody understand the problem of plastic pollution is imperative. “It is the mindset that we need to change. We have expressed that doing away with single-use plastics needs to be included in the Department of Education’s curriculum so we can shape the mindset of young Filipinos. Every member of the community including the youth must do something about plastic waste,” said DTI Usec. Castelo.   The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) also conveyed their support and offered to provide the science and development of technologies. They shared their formation of an Environment Protection Committee and Technical Working Group to provide business management policies relevant to clean businesses. The Office of the Cabinet Secretariat will look into a mechanism to ensure the effective implementation of each agency's plans and programs.   With support from the Department of Finance, experts from the World Bank (WB) were also asked to share their studies on plastic pollution in the Philippines, particularly the Top 10 plastics flowing through the Pasig River, and their insights on the formation of a Roadmap Towards Zero Single-Use Plastics in the country.   “The Philippines is significantly impacted by plastics pollution, but is now starting to take concrete actions to combat it. The Pasig River alone is one of the top 10 plastics polluted rivers in the world and is accompanied by a lot of health issues, repercussions in terms of economic loss,” said the WB Environment, Natural Resources and Blue Economy Global Practice team led by Anjali Acharya and Junu Shrestha.   “Our plastic diagnostics study showed that plastic pollution in different sites along the Pasig River have different compositions. If we were to target reduction policies, having policies targeted on these plastics, we can identify what plastics to focus on,” the team added.   Another upcoming World Bank study on the markets of plastic circularity showed that a striking 79% of all resin materials or recyclable plastic value is lost, highlighting opportunities for creating value from these materials that are normally considered “waste.”   The meeting ended with expressions of support from the different agencies to the proposed Roadmap and an agreement to set technical meetings to further streamline programs, initiatives and advocacy narratives.

Photo from the PowerPoint presentation of Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda during the 7th Asia-Pacific Climate Change Adaptation Forum. MANILA, 10 March 2021 — Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda called for greater solidarity, cooperation, and action in enhancing the resilience of the Asia-Pacific region in light of the intensifying effects of the climate crisis and the crippling effects of the COVID-19 pandemic as Keynote Speaker at the Plenary Session on Policy and Climate Governance of the 7th Asia-Pacific Climate Change Adaptation Forum. “The massive scale of the climate crisis has never been more evident than today. We meet today in recognition of a planet that is fast declining, as record highs of 2020 as the warmest year and the period 2011 to 2020 as the warmest decade on record, worsening effects of climate change, and economic shocks from this pandemic set us back to achieve our goals on sustainable and resilient development,” said Legarda, a three-term Senator who is also Global Champion for Resilience of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction and National Adaptation Plan Champion of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The weeklong forum aims to exchange good practices of climate governance at the international, regional, and national levels that support adaptation actions towards building the resilience of sectors, including shaping a green recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Asia-Pacific region is considered as highly vulnerable to climate and disaster impacts, with the 2019 Asia-Pacific Disaster Report finding that “economic losses due to disasters are larger than previously estimated with most of this additional loss linked to the impact of slow onset disasters in the agricultural sector” and that “multi-hazard average annual loss (AAL) for the region is $675  billion, of which $405 billion, or 60 percent, is drought-related agricultural losses, particularly in rural economies.” Legarda also cited a study from the Asian Development Bank, which said that “even under the Paris consensus scenario in which global warming is limited to 1.5°C to 2°C above preindustrial levels, some of the land area, ecosystems, and socioeconomic sectors will be significantly affected by climate change impacts, to which policymakers and the investment community need to adapt.” The legislator, who is also a Commissioner of the Global Commission on Adaptation, stressed that the Asia-Pacific region could expect prolonged heatwaves, coastal sea-level rise, and changes in rainfall patterns, which could disrupt ecosystem services and lead to severe effects on livelihoods, and in turn, affect human health and migration dynamics, and give rise to potential conflicts. As the author of landmark laws on climate adaptation and mitigation and environmental protection, Legarda said that policies, plans, and programs should be translated into local action with measurable gains through fair and effective enforcement. According to the GCA’s 2019 flagship report, “Adapt Now: A global call for leadership on climate resilience,” adaptation investments were found to consistently deliver high returns, with benefit-cost ratios ranging from 2:1 to 10:1 and "often creates more jobs per dollar spent than more traditional investment, with superior local benefits. Legarda also noted that in the recent Climate Adaptation Summit, governments and businesses committed to bring climate finance to 50% adaptation from being skewed in favor of mitigation, and addressed the problem that only 10% of climate finance actually reaches local communities. With this, Legarda underscored the need to promote the principles of “locally-led adaptation” where frontline vulnerable populations must have a voice and role in shaping the recovery in every key sector and system. “The response must address underlying inequities in society affecting the capacity of local actors to adapt even as they stand on the frontlines of climate change, including marginalized communities, indigenous peoples, women and children, and youth. Local planning and investments can help ensure that the best information is shared, resources are made available, and the best policies are enacted,” Legarda added. In line with the GCA's "locally-led adaptation" principles, Legarda urged policymakers and leaders to: (1) expand financial resources available to local governments and community-based organizations; (2) facilitate efficient access to international and domestic climate finance and the transfer of technology and knowledge on adaptation and mitigation; (3) adopt nature-based solutions, such as wetlands restoration for water storage and soil moisture, reconnecting rivers to floodplains, planting mangroves to protect from coastal flooding, and increasing green urban spaces; and (4) invest in social preparation for the transformation of all sectors towards low carbon development and a green economy, and the sustained implementation and monitoring of outcomes of national climate plans. “Considering that ecosystems contribute at least 30% of climate solutions, mainstreaming biodiversity conservation and nature-based solutions should be at the very heart of discourse, planning, and implementation of climate action, with cross-sectoral, cross-pillar, and multi-stakeholder engagement as its foundation,” Legarda added. Lastly, Legarda emphasized the need to implement science-based global, national, and local action plans and policies to identify specific risks and vulnerabilities. “As leaders, policymakers, planners, and implementers in our respective fields, let us give our region and the world the best fighting chance to bounce back better from this pandemic, ready and braced to cope with and to overcome the climate crisis.” “Through this summit and beyond, let us learn from another, support each other’s adaptation and mitigation actions, advise on strategies, and strike convergence where possible. The Philippines looks forward and stands ready for more meaningful regional partnerships and initiatives that we could scale up at the global level,” Legarda concluded. The 7th Asia-Pacific Climate Change Adaptation Forum is being held virtually from March 8-12, hosted by Japan's Ministry of the Environment together with the APAN Secretariat at the UN Environment Programme. Resilience as the unifying theme of the event is structured around four thematic “streams”: (i) inclusive resilience (ii) nature-based resilience, (iii) economic sector resilience, and (iv) communities and local resilience. Join in the week-long Forum by registering through this link: https://bit.ly/2YE3Fbt

MANILA, 9 March 2021 — Women coffee enthusiasts will gather virtually to share knowledge on the coffee industry – farming,  processing, retail, and marketing – and its challenges and opportunities in the new normal on the 37th episode of “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Change Pathways,” with the topic “Kwentong Kape ng mga Kababaihan.” This is a third of the four-part episode which focuses on supporting resilient livelihoods.   The episode, hosted by three-term former Senator, now Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, will air on Thursday, 11 March 2021, 10:00 AM via Facebook Live at facebook.com/CCCPhl and facebook.com/iamlorenlegarda.   Joining the online conversation are Filipina coffee connoisseurs, including Pacita “Chit” Juan, Co-chair of Philippine Coffee Board, Inc.; Jocelyn Mamar, a coffee farmer; and Rosario Juan, Chief Executive Officer of the Commune Café.   In previous episodes, the online series tackled the role of traditional weaving and pottery industry in providing environmentally-sustainable and viable livelihood options to communities, while preserving cultural heritage and local craftspersonship.   In this episode, Legarda and guests will call on the families, local governments and the general public to support small-scale coffee farmers and keep the local coffee industry alive, and to encourage the youth to spur coffee bean production for future generations.   The legislator will also launch during this episode a special coffee blend made from Robusta coffee named Lola Mameng’s, after her maternal grandmother who planted the coffee trees many years ago.   As an online discussion to promote health, environmental consciousness, and climate-adaptive practices, "Stories for a Better Normal" aims to change the mindset of individuals, families, and communities by demonstrating ways in which a ‘better normal’ can be realized within our communities.   This online discussion is organized in partnership between the Office of Deputy Speaker Legarda and the Climate Change Commission, with support from the Department of Education, Philippine Information Agency, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, The Climate Reality Project-Philippines and Mother Earth Foundation.

MANILA, 8 March 2021 — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) calls on the public to build a more gender-equal world in celebration of International Women’s Day.   Celebrated annually during March 8, International Women's Day offers an opportunity to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in their communities. The Day also marks a call to action to accelerate gender equality.   With the theme, “ChoosetoChallenge,” this year’s celebration aims to challenge and seek out inequality, and celebrate the efforts of women and girls around the world in shaping a more equal future and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.   Women’s full and equal participation in all facets of society is a fundamental human right. Yet, around the world, from politics to entertainment to the workplace, women and girls are largely underrepresented.   Especially at this time, women mostly stand at the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis, as health care workers, caregivers, innovators, community organizers and as some of the most exemplary and effective national leaders in combating the pandemic. The crisis has highlighted both the centrality of their contributions and the disproportionate burdens that women carry.   On a positive note, the Philippines remains one of the top countries in terms of closing the gender gap, according to the Global Gender Gap Report 2020 of the World Economic Forum.   The report shows that the Philippines has closed 78% of its overall gender gap, garnering a score of 0.781. With this, it ranked 16th out of 153 countries with the narrowest gap between men and women.   The CCC urges to seek out and celebrate achievements of both men and women, big or small, and collectively help create an inclusive world for all. Diversity must be integrated into the formulation and implementation of policies and programs in all spheres and at all stages of pandemic response and recovery.   The Commission also noted that building a sustainable future for all means leaving no one behind - including women and girls. They must be heard, valued and celebrated throughout society to reflect their perspectives and choices for their future and that of the advancement of humanity.

Ms. Siegrid Bangyay, a ceramic artist from Sagada, Mountain Province demonstrated how to make pots and ceramics. Photo from the Powerpoint presentation of Ms. Bangyay. MANILA, 5 March 2021 — Ceramicists and brickmakers call for more capacity-building initiatives to enrich culture-based livelihoods in the 36th episode of “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Pathways,” hosted by three-term Senator, now House Deputy Speaker and Antique Representative Loren Legarda. The second part of the resilient livelihoods episode with the topic, “Pottery: Continuity and Change” gathered potters, brickmakers, and representatives from the government and academe and showcased various traditional crafts and masterpieces made of clay from the different regions in the Philippines. Sheryl Ebon-Martinez, a ceramicist from Oryoqi Handmade Pottery; Siegrid Bangyay, a ceramic artist from Sagada, Mountain Province; Alvin Obrique, a pottery maker from Sibalom, Antique; and Anacleto Amar, a brickmaker from Tibiao, Antique; Nelia Elisa Florendo, chief of Industrial Technology Development Institute of the Department of Science and Technology; Rosaly Jean Resolute, Business Counselor from Negosyo Center of the Department of Trade and Industry; and Elsie Marie Carloto, a ceramic teacher and researcher at the University of Antique were this episode’s guests. “In this era of climate change, apektado ang ating mga trabaho sa probinsya, sa rural areas, sa kanayunan...And we are going back to basics, using the wealth of our soil and our land sustainably for resilient rural livelihoods,” said Legarda. The guest ceramicists showed and demonstrated their creations and products such as terracotta bricks, huge and complex ornamental jars, mini cooking sets, flower pots, and others. "Noong 2018 o 2019, nagre-rent lang ako ng kiln noong time na ‘yon, then it made me realize na this is something that I can do in the long-term. And in January 2020, I had a kiln built in my house in Quezon City. Then nagkaroon ng pandemic, we couldn’t go out, we couldn’t go anywhere, so I spent a lot of time practicing and making teawares. It was both a blessing and challenging, pero yung time na naka lockdown ako, it made me a lot of leeway to experiment and to get all the creative ideas into the stuff that I was making," said Sheryl Ebon-Martinez. "In order to get the right quality of clay, there’s a lot of processes and a lot of people involved in order to finish a product. Also, there’s a lot of collaboration with other local people with my products, because I incorporate local designs and I work with rattan weavers here in order to get that right quality of material that we need," said Siegrid Bangyay. “Noong nakita ng Resource Management Program na ang lupa ay maganda pala na gawing earthenware, nag-umpisa nang ma-enhance ‘yung pottery at bricks making projects. May naging tulong din ang local government unit at ang Department of Trade and Industry regarding sa pagpapaganda ng mga [produkto] namin,” said Anacleto Amar. "May ginawa kaming training noong December, nag-train kami ng molding gamit ang plaster of paris at nakagawa ng bricks dahil sa tulong na brick molder, nakapag produce din kami ng maraming pots dahil sa jiggering machine. Noon, gumagawa lang kami ng clay pots na manu-mano at tinatapakan, ngayon malaking tulong ang machines dahil hindi na namin kailangan mag-exert ng effort, kaya napapadali ang paggawa namin," said Alvin Obrique. Meanwhile, the representatives from the government underscored the importance of protecting and preserving culture-based livelihoods which not only provide income to the local communities, but also preserve the cultural heritage of the country. “Ang purpose ng DTI ay makatulong sa pag-increase ng income ng ating mga pottery at brickmakers, at ma-improve natin ang quality ng kanilang mga produkto,” said Rosaly Jean Resolute. "In the early 80s, we even proceeded with our research and development on ceramic whiteware production. Kasi nag-boom ang industries late 80s towards the 90s, kung saan nag-eexport tayo ng ceramic whitewares natin. But unfortunately, yung competition in terms of cost, doon tayo medyo nahirapan and it leaves us with one opportunity, yung ating terracotta industry. Dahil nandito yung strength natin because we have a lot of red clay and of course lalo pa nating napatunayan ngayon ang dami nating skilled workers and entrepreneurs, who are into ceramics," said Nelia Elisa Florendo. "Ang mga faculty and staff ng University of Antique ang nate-train po at marami kaming ginagawa na mga sari-saring pots gamit ang jiggering. Sa ngayon, ini-enhance pa rin namin ang mga skills ng mga potters in line sa mga techniques in design sa pottery production," said Elsie Marie Carloto. As a long time advocate of cultural heritage and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Legarda emphasized the need to capacitate MSMEs, including culture-based livelihoods, as part of the overall strategy on economic development, providing opportunities for support and growth, and ensuring that their special needs are addressed. “Let's reach out to as many barangays and communities as possible lalo na yung mga walang trabaho para ma-train para gumawa ng pottery. Let's improve the designs and tumulong tayo sa marketing through online selling and exhibits,” said Legarda.   “Inclusivity – this means our role is to help uplift the lives of all our people. So we must bring the technology to provinces and academe to embed it in barangays so that even the poorest can have access and be empowered for their micro-enterprises,” Legarda concluded. As an online discussion to promote health, environmental consciousness, and climate-adaptive practices, "Stories for a Better Normal" aims to change the mindset of individuals, families, and communities by demonstrating ways in which a ‘better normal’ can be realized within our communities. This online discussion is organized in partnership between the Office of Deputy Speaker Legarda and the Climate Change Commission, with support from the Department of Education, Philippine Information Agency, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, The Climate Reality Project-Philippines and Mother Earth Foundation.