MANILA -- The Climate Change Commission (CCC) has discussed with its newly-formed experts’ panel the need to integrate climate indicators in the evaluation of government projects, provide localized data especially to highly vulnerable local government units (LGUs), and assist them in accessing green financing, along with several other proposed action plans to mitigate the impact of climate-induced risks in the country. 

Led by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, who is CCC Chairman-Designate, the Commission met for the first time recently with the 16 members of its reconstituted  National  Panel of Technical Experts (NPTE).

The NPTE identified the Philippines’ top 10 climate-induced risks and discussed how these should be addressed through policy and concrete actions on the ground. 

The top 10 risks identified by the NPTE are the following: 1) the rising sea levels, 2) coastal erosion, 3) flooding, 4) increasing frequency and severity of tropical cyclones, 5) extreme drought, 6) temperature increase and rising urban heat index, 7) extreme rainfall, 8)  climate-influenced diseases, 9) wind patterns, and  10) biodiversity loss. 

“We’ve heard this very interesting presentation and I want to thank each and every one for their valuable contribution here. The next step we have to do is, essentially, have the Commission adopt this program on the analysis of the risks, and the action points,” Dominguez told the NPTE members after the experts' presentation.  

Dominguez formally adopted the action plan and strategies presented by the NPTE. He also instructed the Commission to integrate these in the upcoming updating of the National Climate Change Action Plan to help local governments craft action-oriented local climate change adaptation plans. 

Finance Assistant Secretary for International Finance Paola Alvarez said the strategies presented by the NPTE involve the participation of other government agencies such as the Departments of Agriculture (DA), Interior and Local Government (DILG) and of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), given that these are comprehensive solutions aligned with the Duterte administration’s whole-of-nation approach to combating climate change. 

Dominguez then instructed Alvarez to coordinate with the CCC Commissioners in setting a timetable for the implementation of the action plans. 

NPTE member Dr. Doracie Zoleta Nantes, who presented the panel’s recommendations before the CCC, said the climate-induced risks jeopardize the country’s food security and water sources; worsen malnutrition; endanger coastal communities; threaten marine resources and lead to shoreline erosion; increase the incidence of outbreaks of pests and diseases, including non-communicable ones;  trigger landslides and forest fires;  and force the migration and loss of species as a result of habitat destruction. 

She pointed out that rising sea levels could not only threaten the country’s food security and water sources, but could force the displacement of small island communities, particularly in the Visayas, and has already led to a 1- to 2-meter increase in seawater levels that affect  Metro Manila, Cavite, Pampanga, and Bulacan. 

The experts warned that the Philippines has one of the fastest rising sea levels in the world, affecting around 800 of the country’s municipalities.

The NPTE discussed the past approaches done and the new ones being carried out to mitigate these risks, and presented before the CCC the experts' set of actionable recommendations to fine-tune measures.

Among the key recommendations of the panel are the conduct of climate and health impact assessments (HIA) for all provinces and cities using technology for forecasting, and including climate finance in the investment and development plans of LGUs.

The panel also recommended, among others, several “cross-cutting strategies,” such as co-creating climate solutions with populations most affected by climate change;  translating the science behind climate change into easy-to-understand concepts to be able to effectively communicate these to the public; and integrating climate indicators in the monitoring and evaluation of government projects.

The experts likewise proposed the setting up and integration of online, real-time weather monitoring systems down to the local level;  building a working network of  State Colleges and Universities (SUCs) to provide support to LGUs and local communities on climate adaptation and mitigation actions; enhancing local climate financing; and encouraging fishers, farmers and other climate change-affected sectors to diversify their means of livelihood. 

The panel underscored, moreover, the need to align local climate action with the sustainable fund frameworks of banks to make LGUs eligible for financing, and capacitate these local governments to enable them to revive the municipal bond market for green bond floats.

It recommended, too, the piloting of a climate and disaster-risk financing and insurance program at the local level as an approach to enhance community preparedness against climate-induced disasters.

Dominguez has said the  CCC’s new crop of experts will provide the practical advice urgently needed by the climate change body to be able to effectively implement these doable programs, and will help engage and educate local communities in adopting them. 

The NPTE, with members representing the country’s different regions,  are: Dr. Jihan  Adil, Dr. Nathaniel Alibuyog, Dr. Zenaida Andrade, Dr. Wilfredo Campos, Dr. Gay Defiesta, Dr. Ramon Lorenzo Luis Guinto,  Dr. Eduardo Mangaoang, Dr. Jimmy Masagca, Dr. Susan Mercado, Dr. Richard Muallil, Dr. Emma Porio, Dr. Patricia Ann Sanchez,  Engineer Merriam Santillan, Dr. Encarnacion Emilia Yap, Dr. Maria Angela Zafra, and Dr. Nantes. (DOF)