March 7, 2018. The Philippines’ national climate fund is set to release this month close to P200 million worth of grants to help make communities resilient to climate change impacts. Climate Change Commission (CCC) Secretary Emmanuel De Guzman and Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Carlos Dominguez led the signing of the financial agreement between the People’s Survival Fund (PSF) Board and the first four recipient local government units (LGUs): Del Carmen, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte; Lanuza, Surigao del Sur; Gerona, Tarlac; and San Francisco, Camotes Island, Cebu. “Climate change is central to the government’s development agenda, thanks to the strong leadership of President Rodrigo Duterte, Senator Loren Legarda, and Secretary Carlos Dominguez,” De Guzman said. The PSF was established in 2012 through Republic Act No. 10174 to support the climate adaptation action plans of local governments. Chaired by the DOF, the PSF Board is set to release this month the first four grants, totaling P192 million. Nine more project proposals in the pipeline totaling P979 million will be under consideration in the next PSF Board meeting scheduled this June. “With the first funding releases underway, we expect demand for the PSF to grow. The CCC will work closely with Senator Legarda, Chairperson of the Senate Committees on Climate Change and Finance and author of the Climate Change Act, to ensure more funds are made available in 2019,” he added. The mayors of the recipient local governments welcomed the development. "The livelihoods of our farmers and fisher folk grow more vulnerable each year that passes without adequate intervention from local and national government. Through the PSF, we can now dramatically enhance our town’s food security by ensuring the full life cycle of food production is resilient to climate change," said Del Carmen Mayor Alfredo Coro II. Lanuza Mayor Salvacion Saloma-Azarcon, meanwhile, said that the grants couldn’t have come at a better time. “Lanuza’s economy depends on its forests, watersheds and mangroves, which are threatened by worsening climate change. Nothing less than a comprehensive ridge-to-reef approach will do,” she said. "The PSF will help improve the management of our water resources, due to the expected increase in severity and frequency of climate-induced drought and flooding," Mayor Eloy Eclar of Gerona added. For his part, San Francisco Mayor Aly Arquillano of Camotes Island said that the PSF grant will help his municipality address its water supply problem caused by saltwater intrusion.

March 3, 2018. In observance of the World Wildlife Day, March 3, the Climate Change Commission (CCC) called on national and local government officials to strengthen efforts to protect wildlife and biodiversity within communities against destruction due to pollution, overexploitation, deforestation, and most especially, climate change. “We are endowed with rich and bountiful natural resources that we have been considered as a megadiverse country in the world. Our natural wealth, however, is in great peril if we do not alter our behavior towards it and if we do not build our resilience against climate-related hazards, such as typhoons, flooding, and landslides,” said Climate Change Secretary Emmanuel De Guzman. The CCC cited the 2016 Low Carbon Monitor Report of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), which foresees that 98% of coral reefs will die by 2050, practically an extinction by the end of the century if current global warming trends will continue. Moreover, the CCC mentioned that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has reported that, with a 1.5°C to 2.5°C rise in temperature in a span of 50-100 years, 30% of species in the Philippines would be at risk of extinction. Commissioner Rachel Herrera also encouraged local government units (LGUs) to strictly enforce environmental laws within their communities in order to protect and preserve wildlife and biodiversity. “We already have landmark laws for the protection of our environment—hailed as some of the best in the world—but we need to intensify our efforts to fully implement these measures on the ground,” Herrera said. Among the laws Herrera mentioned were the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and the Ecological Solid Waste Management (ESWM) Law. Furthermore, the CCC reiterated its commitment to providing technical assistance to LGUs, especially in the formulation of their Local Climate Change Action Plan (LCCAP). Commissioner Noel Gaerlan said that it is extremely important that local government units are fully aware of their climate and disaster risks, so that these would inform their LCCAP and guide their actions as they implement projects and programs at the community level. “Rest assured that the CCC will continue working alongside our local government planners and officials, as well as stakeholders, in coming up with comprehensive and risk-informed LCCAPs that will hopefully protect the welfare of our wildlife and biodiversity, as well as the wellbeing of our fellow Filipinos,” Gaerlan said. The formulation of LCCAP is in line with the Climate Change Act of 2009 and its amendatory law, the People’s Survival Fund Act—both principally sponsored and authored by Senator Loren Legarda. It is also one key component of the CCC’s Communities for Resilience (CORE) Program, which is undertaken in collaboration with State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and civil society organizations (CSOs) to deepen the knowledge and build the capacity of our LGUs in addressing the impacts of climate change within their respective localities.

March 2, 2018. “When Boracay succeeds in overcoming its limitations in the form of stronger environmental policies incorporating scenarios of climate change impacts, we can be sure that it will be able to cope and survive the challenge of rapid urbanization and tourism,” Climate Change Secretary Emmanuel de Guzman said on the current environmental issues faced by Boracay. “Boracay is not the first manifestation of failure in environmental management and over-all governance. But it is quite different in the sense that it has a choice because its climate change impacts can still be reduced. It requires political will and a coming together of primarily local actors and handholding and proper oversight by state actors,” he said in a statement. De Guzman underscored the need to mainstream climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction into the Comprehensive Land Use Plan of Boracay. “While the intensifying impacts of climate change are inevitable and more innovative adaptation measures may be needed, Boracay can start to immediately implement no-regrets measures like strict observance of carrying capacity limitations by using the island’s common sewage treatment facility. The coming together of various sectors to implement these urgent mitigative actions is paramount to Boracay’s survival and sustainable development,” he added. Commissioner Noel Gaerlan, meanwhile, said that the local government should conduct climate and disaster vulnerability and risk assessment for the entire island. He also noted the need for authorities to decide if Boracay should be compliant to Class SB classification per Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order No. 34. Following this issue, Commissioner Rachel Herrera joined Senator Cynthia Villar and DENR Region VI Director Jim Sampulna in an ocular inspection of the water treatment facility and transfer station of solid waste in Boracay today. In a joint public hearing of the Senate Committees on Environment and Natural Resources, Tourism, Finance, Trade and Industry, and Local Government after the inspection, Herrera discussed the provisions of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, which should have been implemented by local authorities in the island. She noted that under the law, wastes should be segregated into biodegradable, non-biodegradable, non-recyclable/residual, special/hazardous, and papers that could still be used. In the said hearing, Senator Loren Legarda instructed the Climate Change Commission to coordinate with the local government officials of Malay municipality in Aklan, particularly the chairpersons of its Barangays Yapak, Manoc-manoc, and Balabag comprising Boracay Island, for the implementation of climate change adaptation programs in the island.

March 1, 2018. At the 2018 Regional Business and Climate Summit in Clark, Pampanga, business and industry leaders from Region III today signed a Pledge of Cooperation to support the development of low carbon and climate-resilient initiatives that will help address impacts of climate change within the region. With the theme of “Business Opportunities in Climate Change,” the summit, organized by the Climate Change Commission (CCC), aims to discuss how impacts of climate change affect sustainability of businesses and to explore climate initiatives and financing options for green and climate-smart projects and investments that the private sector could undertake. “Frequent supply chain disruptions due to natural hazards, such as typhoons, flooding, and landslides, have made our production inputs costlier, and our revenues and profit margins abated. Our employees, the life and blood of our businesses, are also the direct victims of these hazards, which we consider climate-related,” said Climate Change Secretary Emmanuel De Guzman. “It is high time for the private sector to break away from business-as-usual. Investing towards a low carbon and climate-smart economy is the way to go to ensure a safer, more secure, and more sustainable future for all,” De Guzman added. De Guzman also emphasized that Region III, as the second fastest growing economic region in the country, could help sustain the transformation of industries towards a low carbon development. According to the National Economic Development (NEDA), Region III accounted for 9.5% of gross regional domestic product in 2016. “As we anticipate business activities to intesify within the region, we also want to ensure that the industry leaders are aware of our prevailing climate risks and hazards. We also want to solicit their support in implementing measures that will enhance the resilience of our country against climate impacts,” de Guzman said. Officials from Ayala Land, Inc., Nestle Philippines, Inc., SasonbiSolar, and the Philippine Business for the Environment presented their climate change initiatives and how they are mainstreamed into their business procedures. Moreover, panel discussions by officials from the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Trade and Industry - Boards of Investments (DTI-BOI), and Allotrope Partners provided input to business and industry leaders in exploring financing options for green and climate-smart investments. The 2018 Regional Business and Climate Summit is organized in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme Low Emission Capacity Building (UNDP-LECB) Philippine Project, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Metro Angeles Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MACCII), and the Philippine Business for the Environment (PBE). In 2017, regional summits were conducted in Cebu, Laguna, and Davao to strengthen the partnership between the government and business sector in advancing the country’s climate change advocacy and agenda. “The business sector is an indispensable partner of our government to make a difference in our country’s future. This partnership will be crucial in advancing our cause and realizing the benefits and progress we all desire for our country and our people. Together, let us work towards a climate-resilient nation that the generation of Filipinos today and tomorrow truly deserve,” De Guzman concluded.

February 22, 2018. Providing a better understanding on the dynamics and impacts of climate variability and weather extremes to local communities is critical to mainstreaming climate action in national development planning. However, in this era of climate change and big data, risk information in the country remains scarce and small—a big hurdle on developing risk-based policies and actions. In line with the government’s efforts to address this shortage, the Climate Change Commission (CCC) and the Oscar M. Lopez (OML) Center released the 2017 Philippine Climate Change Assessment: Impacts, Vulnerabilities and Adaptation last February 21. Authored by Filipino Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change members and other leading scientists and experts, the report centered on the assessment of the current understanding of climate impacts, vulnerabilities, and adaptation on vital areas such as ecosystems, freshwater resources, coastal systems and low-lying areas, agriculture and fisheries, and human health. “Climate change is one of the major drivers of disaster risks alongside poverty, rapid urbanization and unsustainable pattern of development. The second climate change assessment report provides us the necessary information on how we can build our communities’ resilience to climate impacts,” CCC Vice Chair and Secretary Emmanuel M. de Guzman said. This report is the second among the three-volume Philippine Climate Change Assessment series following the release of the 2016 Philippine Climate Change Assessment: The Physical Science Basis last year, which synthesized scientific information from international and local literature in order to provide an assessment of climate change for the Philippines. Both the 2016 and 2017 assessment reports are available at the CCC website via the following links: http://climate.gov.ph/images/knowledge/PhilCCA-WG1.pdf http://climate.gov.ph/images/knowledge/PhilCCA-WG2.pdf The third assessment report, which will focus on the mitigation of climate change, will be published later this year.

  Lone female Climate Change Commissioner Rachel S. Herrera delivers a message at the Briefing on Climate Change and Paris Agreement (PA), hosted by the Legal and Legislative Affairs of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on February 21, 2018. Commissioner Rachel S. Herrera was recently appointed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte, pursuant to the law requiring a female commissioner for the Climate Change Commission (CCC). “The aspect on gender is one of the important points in the Philippine position in the Paris Agreement negotiations—to consider the impacts on vulnerable groups, such as women, children, the elderly, and indigenous peoples,” said Commissioner Rachel S. Herrera of the Climate Change Commission during the Briefing on Climate Change and the ​Paris Agreement at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Herrera cited the study of the World Health Organization (WHO) that the impacts of natural hazards brought about by climate change tend to kill more women than men, particularly women at a young age. She added that there is increased risk of sexual harassment and sexual-related violence against women in temporary shelters and evacuation centers. “As the female Commissioner​ in ​the CCC, I must put emphasis on the gender perspective in our climate change advocacy and agenda. We have successfully championed this element in the Paris Agreement, and we certainly need to reflect this in our country’s climate policies and plans,” Herrera said. “We need to continue advocating for climate justice—a call for greater and more ambitious climate action from all countries. We should do all that we can ​to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. We should also demand financial assistance and technology cooperation from developed nations to build resilience in developing countries, like ours, that have taken the brunt of impacts of climate change,” Herrera added. ​Hailing from Davao in Mindanao​, Herrera saw firsthand how her hometown used to be considered “typhoon-free​"​ but in recent years​ ​had been devastated by typhoons such as Pablo ('Bopha') and frequent flooding. Overall, the P​hilippines has ​remained in the top 5 most at risk to natural hazards consider​ed​ climate-related, such as typhoons, flooding, and landslides. ​ Herrera noted that the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has estimated that the annual average cost of disasters to the Philippine economy is Php206 Billion. She added that if climate change risks​ are not addressed​, the Philippines stands to lose 6% of its GDP annually by 2100, as reported by the Asian Development Bank. The Commissioner also provided context on the impacts of climate change and their effects to the environment and society, such as decline in rice yield, coral degradation, threatened biodiversity and natural ecosystems, more intense and prolonged droughts, higher sea level rise, decline in labor productivity, more public health emergencies, ​and ​water scarcity​.​ “We are more than glad to sustain partnerships with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), other agencies, the private sector, and stakeholders in order to win this fight against climate change. As part of our commitment to the Paris Agreement, we have facilitated a bottom-up approach to developing the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC),” Herrera said. Herrera said that the NDC is the country’s roadmap on how to transition towards a low carbon economy, which will be submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) this year. In 2017, the Commission conducted a total of 15 consultations, validation meetings, and workshops on the NDC sectoral targets and adaptation and mitigation options for the agriculture, waste, industry, transportation, forestry, and energy sectors. An initial draft of the NDC is already at hand and set for promulgation​ this year​. “As we deepen our knowledge and understanding on climate change and the Paris Agreement, may this inspire us to heed the call to act now and do more for our country, our children, and their future,” Herrera concluded.

February 14, 2018. The Climate Change Commission (CCC) emphasized the significant role of radio broadcasting in climate action during the observance of the 2018 World Radio Day hosted by Senator Cynthia Villar and Senator Loren Legarda last February 12. “Radio is an important tool in raising awareness on climate change and encouraging our people to take action. It's an effective platform to promote our climate change agenda,” CCC Assistant Secretary Romell Antonio Cuenca said during the public forum organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Earth Saver’s Movement at the Senate of the Philippines. Cuenca noted that the CCC, through the use of radio, could reach the remotest communities to advance its programs on climate change mitigation and adaptation. “Radio also plays a crucial role in disaster management by disseminating early warning to allow communities to prepare for natural hazards,” he added. UNESCO proclaimed February 13 as World Radio Day to encourage those who work in radio broadcasting to diversify its content to promote sustainable development goals (SDGs). This year’s theme, Radio and Sports, is focused on gender equality in sports broadcasting and on sports coverage for peace and development initiatives. As part of this year’s observance, the CCC and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts launched their upcoming radio soap opera project, which will be on air for three months through DZRH Radyo Balintataw. The series will feature the 17 SDGs, which includes climate action.

21 January 2018. The Climate Change Commission welcomes the appointment of Atty. Rachel Anne Sibugan Herrera as climate change commissioner. “The appointment of Atty. Herrera brings stability and motivation to the Commission to do more and to do better in the midst of the enormous challenge of climate change to the Filipino nation,” Climate Change Secretary Emmanuel De Guzman said. Herrera is backed by 13 years of experience in environmental law and climate change legislation. She was a member of the Philippine Delegation to the 23rd Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the 2016 High-Level Signing Ceremony of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, and the 3rd UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction. Before the appointment, Herrera provided legal and technical advice to the Senate and the International Committee of the Red Cross. She also worked as a court attorney at the Supreme Court. She is a graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Law and has a B.S. Environmental Science degree from Ateneo de Manila University. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte appointed Herrera to the Commission last Tuesday, to serve the unexpired term of former Commissioner Frances Veronica Victorio, which ends in January 2022.

The Climate Change Commission (CCC) threw its support to the ongoing "Tanggal Bulok, Tanggal Usok" (TBTU) campaign of the Inter-Agency Council for Traffic (i-ACT). In a statement, CCC Vice Chair and Secretary Emmanuel De Guzman said, "any further delay or slowing down in our country's efforts to minimize and adapt to the impacts of climate change poses lethal danger to the lives of present and future generations." According to de Guzman, climate and people-friendly public utility transport is long overdue. “Climate change is caused by the unabated increase of carbon in the atmosphere. Next to electricity and heat production, the country's transport sector drives the increase of the energy sector’s greenhouse gas emissions, which increased by 43 MtCO2e from 1990 to 2012,” he added. "We laud the efforts of i-ACT as it is consistent with the 1.5°C warming limit goal of the Paris Agreement. We cannot ignore the global clamor for collective climate action,” De Guzman pointed out. De Guzman also recognizes the implications of black carbon to human health. “Our problem with black carbon does not only affect our climate. Inhalation of this substance coming from dilapidated and smoke belching jeepneys and buses is mostly associated with health problems including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and even birth defects, so it is high time for us to make a move and address this issue.”  The i-ACT, for its part, welcomed CCC's support saying, "CCC's favorable response reinforces the rationale and necessity of the TBTU campaign that aims to ensure that public utility vehicles (PUVs) are constantly road worthy and safe for public use." I-ACT communications head Elmer Argaño, a member of the country's delegation to the 21st Conference of Parties last 2015, said, "We cannot let sectoral interest rule over national welfare that, at the same time, takes for granted our dying Mother Earth." Department of Transportation (DoTR) Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure, Thomas Orbos, who heads the i-ACT said, "We are happy with the widening and deepening support to our TBTU campaign, as manifested by CCC's recent statement of support."  "Our campaign is not a fight against our fellow public utility drivers and operators. Rather, it is a fight against the perils and harm those road unworthy and unsafe public utility vehicles bring to people, to the community and our planet," Orbos emphasized. Last 2017, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed the Paris Agreement on Climate Change—the first-ever legally-binding global agreement on climate change signed by 194 countries.

The Climate Change Commission, in partnership with the Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation-Disaster Risk Reduction (CCAM-DRR) Cabinet Cluster, spearhead the very first National Convention on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction on December 6-8, 2017. This two-and-a-half-day National Convention at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila aims to promote a common understanding among the participants on CCAM-DRR concepts; raise awareness about the best practices on building climate resilience and preparing for the “Big Ones”; and identify prevailing CCAM-DRR issues and recommend actions with specific deliverables. “The choices and the actions we make today will impact the outcomes of disasters tomorrow. Whether we will rise in the face of disasters is up to us. Let us continue to build resilience through disaster risk reduction management for a more profitable and sustainable future,” said Asec. Kristoffer James Purisima of the Civil Defense during his opening remarks. Parallel session and plenary topics highlight the first and second days recognizing the local government units’ (LGUs) different capacity levels in implementing Local Climate Change Action Plans (LCCAP), including the different sectoral concerns on CCAM-DRR, including risk governance, agriculture, environment, and protection of vulnerable sectors. These will emphasize the alignment of policy, science, and citizens in achieving resilience using climate impact assessment, technological innovations, resource mobilization among other critical intervention, specifically the Convention. This seeks to deepen the engagement with LGUs and stakeholders in accessing climate financing as well as leveling up local projects on adaptation and mitigation. Moreover, a plenary session for discussing contingency plans as a response to the impact scenarios and hazards presentations will take place on the third day. “We in the Climate Change Commission initiated this National Convention to converge our strategies and complement our efforts to addressing climate and disaster risks at the local level,” Vice Chairman and Secretary of the Climate Change Commission, Sec. Emmanuel de Guzman said in his keynote address. The delegates of the National Convention are representatives from both national and local governments, international partners, the science and technology community, and provincial, city and municipal Risk Reduction Management Officers. Sec. De Guzman further articulated that for us to build a more resilient community to disaster and climate change, we must keep the momentum by scaling up our efforts and collaborating on more initiatives to sustain a safer, more secure and sustainable future for all Filipinos.

The Climate Change Commission (CCC) held the Second National Panel of Technical Experts (NPTE) forum with the theme, “Strengthening Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems and Services” on December 5 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila. This forum was designed to foster exchange of knowledge on strengthening multi-hazard early warning system (MHEWS) and initiate discussions towards improving the implementation of innovative solutions to address climate change. “Knowing and understanding disaster risk and how climate change magnifies this risk is key to the effective reduction of loss and damage resulting from the impacts of natural hazards,” Climate Change Commission Secretary Emmanuel de Guzman said. This forum is part of a series of Experts’ Forums which is envisioned to communicate vital information, observations, recommendations, and best practices with various partner organizations until the end of 2017. The keynote address was delivered by the president of the National Resilience Council (NRC), Ms. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga followed by a presentation entitled Moving Towards Multi-Hazard Impact-based Forecasting and Warning by Dr. Leoncio Amadore of the NPTE. Presentations on climate change projection and effective reduction of loss and damage resulting from the impacts of natural hazards were also conducted. This forum emphasized the value of science in informing policy and practice in the context of CCAM-DRR towards resilient communities and sustainable development. “This is the spirit that inspires our gathering today. Our forum aims to foster exchange of knowledge on strengthening multi-hazard early warning systems and initiate discussions towards improving the implementation of innovative solutions to address climate change and to manage disaster risks,” Sec. de Guzman added. A highlight of the event was the signing of the Pledge of Partnership for Resilience between the CCC and NRC.

Following the theme “Aligning Science, Policy, And Practice For Climate Change and Disaster Resilience,” the second day celebration of the CCC Week held at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila was filled with pro-active and action-oriented discussions on climate data and procedures addressing the country’s need to adapt and to be resilient on the impacts of climate change. “The changing risk factors caused by climate change demand adaptation, including comprehensive efforts to reduce vulnerability to hazards and more proactive measures to minimize climate change impacts,” CCC Sec. Emmanuel de Guzman said. The day kicked off with simultaneous forums focusing the ongoing efforts of the Commission in providing technical supports to LGUs by strengthening their Local Climate Action Plans (LCCAP) and setting policies and actions to building sector’s dilemma on greenhouse gas (GHG) by shaping their Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action (NAMA) towards a climate change-resilient community. The LCCAP is every community’s action plan outlining agendas identifying local actions to mitigate the potential impacts of climate change. The Communities for Resilience (CORE) Program of CCC shall assist LGUs in making their LCCAP science-based and risk sensitive, and will help them access the People’s Survival Fund. “We launched the CORE Program to help local communities adapt to climate change, reduce disaster risk and acquire enduring resilience. It does so by promoting science-based local development planning through training, peer-to-peer learning and excerpt mentoring by academic institutions,” Sec. Emmanuel de Guzman said. Meanwhile, the NAMA is intended to be the Philippines’ commitment to reduce or possibly GHG emissions from buildings by 70% by 2030 based on the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) submitted by the Philippines to United Nations. Side events were also held promoting transition towards green economy, optimization of the potentials of children in the poorest provinces of the country as agents of change, and risk insurance contributing in alleviating poverty and resiliency of the poor and vulnerable people.

In collaboration with the International Labour Organization, the Climate Change Commission commenced a joint policy development forum promoting transition towards green economy on November 21 at the Sofitel Philippines Plaza Manila. Following the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the issuance of the Green Jobs Act Implementing Rules and Regulations in September, the forum centered on informing the process of the transition towards low-carbon and climate-resilient economy. “In light of the very real and imminent threat posed by climate change to our economy and to our people, the national government has put in place policies that will facilitate our country’s transition to a greener economy—while ensuring a just transition that maximizes beneficial outcomes for all sectors of society,” Climate Change Commission Secretary Emmanuel De Guzman said.                                                                                                             This side event is a follow-up to the CCC-ILO roundtable series which aim to raise awareness and promote convergence among key stakeholders towards creating green jobs and ensuring a just transition to green economy; and consolidate and contribute inputs to the updating of the Philippine Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). Gracing the event were representatives from the Government, employers’ and workers’ groups, private sector, the academe, civil society, and other development partners.

The Climate Change Commission has lined up various events to mark the observance of this year’s 2017 Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness (CCC) Week, as mandated by Presidential Proclamation 1667 issued in 2008. With the theme “Aligning Science, Policy, And Practice For Climate Change and Disaster Resilience,” this year’s CCC Week will be held on November 20 to 24 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila. It will showcase expert presentations on climate data and the collective efforts of the different sectors of the society in pursuing the sustainable low-carbon and climate-resilient development pathway.  “This year, we are emphasizing the value of science informing policy and practice in the context of climate action. We want to highlight the significance of science in developing climate resiliency strategies and pathways, as well as in inspiring climate action from the different stakeholders,” Climate Change Secretary Emmanuel De Guzman said. The CCC Week will kick off with a forum focusing on the ongoing efforts to update the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) and to prepare the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The NCCAP is comprehensive action plan outlining the country’s agenda for adaptation and mitigation from 2011 to 2028. ”The NCCAP review was done through several rounds of multi-stakeholder consultations. It will help the Commission determine the gaps and come up with measures to fill it in,” De Guzman explained. Meanwhile, the NDC is intended to be the Philippines’ commitment to achieve the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement.  “Our NDC will define our roadmap on how we intend to transition towards a green economy. It would represent the core of the country’s new development plan,” De Guzman added. Other forums for the CCC Week will feature the various tools and systems for collating and verifying scientific data; the best mitigation and adaptation practices; and the significant role of businesses, health professionals, indigenous people, youth and the academe in addressing the impacts of climate change.

In order to promote broader multi-stakeholder participation and to mainstream climate change mitigation and adaptation in regional policy and planning processes, the Climate Change Commission (CCC) is set to bring its Expert Forum Series to state colleges and universities (SUCs) in five regions this year. In a special meeting with Secretary Emmanuel De Guzman and Commissioners Noel Gaerlan and Rachel Herrera, the CCC’s National Panel of Technical Experts (NPTE) approved the following themes for the expert lecture series: Water security in the midst of climate change in April (Ilocos Norte); Building the resilience of coastal communities and ecosystems to climate change in May (Tacloban, Cebu, or Iloilo); Renewable energy and climate change mitigation for sustainable development in July (Davao); CEO business summit on green jobs and green economic growth in August (Taguig); and The role of blue carbon in addressing climate change in November (Palawan). All forums will be free of charge. Final dates and venues will be made public as soon as the details are finalized with the partner SUCs. “It is of great importance that the scientific proficiency of our leading climate experts be made available to develop climate resilience strategies and pathways anchored on empirical or peer-reviewed data,” Climate Change Secretary Emmanuel De Guzman said. “This should inspire and lead the way for various climate action among our partner stakeholders,” he added. On September 18, 2017, the CCC launched its inaugural expert forum, entitled “Linking Science, Policy, and Practice for Climate and Disaster Resilience,” in partnership with the Oscar M. Lopez Center, a research institution that supports the use of science and technology for building climate-resilient communities. The forum brought together climate experts in various fields, including: Senator Loren Legarda, UNISDR Global Champion for Resilience and UNFCCC Adaptation Champion; Dr. Rosa Perez, member of the National Research Council of the Philippines, Environmental Impact Assessment Review Committee, and Manila Observatory; Dr. Rodel Lasco, expert in environment research, conservation, education, and development; Atty. Pete Maniego, Chairman of the UP Engineering Research and Development Foundation; and Dr. Rex Victor Cruz, Director of Environmental Forestry Programme of the University of the Philippines Los Baños’ (UPLB) College of Forestry and Natural Resources. This was followed by the second expert forum on “Strengthening Multi-hazard Early Warning Systems and Services in the Philippines” on December 5, 2017, which was organized in partnership with the National Resilience Council. The second expert forum featured experts, including: Dr. Leoncio Amadore from the UP Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology; Dr. Gemma Narisma, Regional Climate Systems Program Head of the Manila Observatory; and Dr. Celine Vicente, Geomatics Program Head of the Manila Observatory. Commissioner Herrera also emphasized the significance of science and research in the delivery of their mandate as the lead climate change policymaking body of the government. “Through this expert lecture series, we also deepen our knowledge and understanding on climate change, thereby allowing us to create more timely and appropriate climate policies and resolutions to address its effects. As we continue hosting these forums this year, we further allow science to guide us and inform our actions,” Herrera said.

3 April 2018. The Climate Change Commission (CCC) convened its Third National Panel of Technical Experts (NPTE) Forum on April 3 at the Teatro Ilocandia, Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) in Batac City, Ilocos Norte. With the theme “Water Security in the Midst of Climate Change,” this year’s forum aims to provide an effective exchange of best practices and trends on water security and climate change adaptation and mitigation measures among the academe, provincial offices and local government units of Ilocos Norte. “Considering the vulnerability of the region to drought and desertification brought about by climate change, the NPTE saw it fitting to undertake the third forum here at Ilocos Norte. At the same time, this is in conjunction with the Water Security summit conducted by the Provincial Government,” said Climate Change Commission Vice Chairperson Emmanuel de Guzman in his speech delivered by Atty. Efren MG. Bascos, Legal Chief of the agency. Highlights of the event were the presentations by NPTE members Ms. Lourdes Tibig, Dr. Carlos Primo David, Dr. Rex Victor Cruz and Dr. Felino Lansingan on Climatology, Water Security Strategies, Integrated Approaches to Watershed Management, and Smart Agriculture among others. An overview was presented by Dr. Glenn Roy Paraso. This forum is part of a series of Experts’ Forums envisioned to mobilize effective commitment and community-based action and mainstream climate change knowledge into development policies and practices. “The NPTE Forum of the Climate Change Commission was piloted in 2016 with the aim of creating an avenue for knowledge sharing on climate-change related issues among scientists, members of the academe, government and non-government agencies. Moving forward, we hope that these discussions lead to effective practices and policies from the national cascaded down to the local level,” de Guzman added. The keynote address was delivered by Batac Vice Mayor Jeffrey Jubal Nalupta. “After this forum, we shall all be provided with a deeper understanding of the climate trends in the region, the challenges it is currently facing in terms of addressing the impacts of climate change, specifically drought and desertification, and of course means to more effective adaptation strategies which shall reach even their farthest barangays,” de Guzman concluded. This 3rd NPTE Forum is in cooperation with the Office of the Governor, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region 1, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) – Laoag, MMSU, LGUs, and several state universities and colleges.