QUEZON CITY (PIA) -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s strong support to climate resiliency and sustainability in social and infrastructural endeavor has been commended by the Climate Change Commission (CCC).
At a gathering organized by the Asian Development Bank, the President emphasized his administration's aspirations for a Philippines that is both climate-smart and climate-resilient.
The Marcos administration has pledged to implement resiliency measures across various sectors, including water supply, sanitation, energy and transport systems, and agriculture and food production. These priority areas are aligned with the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) outlined by the CCC. The NCCAP focuses on long-term strategies for climate change adaptation and is integrated into the national development plan from 2011 to 2028.
The President's commitment to sustainability and climate resilience is reflected in the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) for 2023 to 2028. The PDP specifically devotes a chapter to climate change and resilience, demonstrating a whole-of-government approach that has been welcomed by the CCC.
Chapter 15 of the PDP, titled "Accelerate Climate Action and Strengthen Disaster Resilience," sets the goal for communities, institutions, and the natural and built environment to become more resilient to natural hazards and climate change impacts by 2028. The inclusion of this chapter highlights the administration's dedication to transformative climate actions.
CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje commended President Marcos Jr.'s guidance, emphasizing its importance in reinforcing the commitment of the Philippine Government on this goal.
The government's commitment to climate change is further demonstrated by the increase in climate change expenditure. For the fiscal year 2023, National Government Institutions have allocated P453.1 billion for adaptation and mitigation programs, representing a 56% increase from the previous year's budget.
The Philippines' vulnerability to climate change was underscored by its ranking as the first among 193 countries in the World Risk Index 2022. President Marcos Jr. emphasized the urgency of the climate crisis, stating that nature's fury is already impacting communities and people.
Furthermore, the President stressed the importance of partnerships between the government, private sector, and other stakeholders in addressing the climate crisis. He called for a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, focusing on the need for public-private partnerships and international collaborations.
In line with this, VCED Borje emphasized the significance of meaningful convergence among sectors and stakeholders. By pooling resources, knowledge, and expertise, Borje highlighted the necessity of scaling up climate action, as the lives, livelihoods, and future of the Filipino people are at stake.
In the National Capital Region, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources' priority programs focuses on clean air, clean water, solid waste management, enhanced national greening, intensified forest protection and anti-illegal logging, geo-hazard, groundwater assessment and responsible mining, enhanced biodiversity, scaling up of coastal and marine ecosystem, improved land administration and management, and the Manila Bay rehabilitation which are all dedicated and part of the country’s climate action goals.
With President Marcos Jr.'s commitment to climate resiliency and sustainability, the Philippines is poised to address the challenges of climate change and work towards a more resilient and sustainable future. (CCC / PIA-NCR) (Photo by PCO and DENR)
