The Climate Change Commission (CCC) has commended the Senate and the House of Representatives for approving the agency’s proposed PHP170-million budget for 2025.
The CCC said the budget would support its key initiatives, such as the localization of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and updating the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), all geared toward enhancing climate resilience across the country.
The funding will also bolster the CCC’s capacity-building programs, and facilitate inter-agency coordination and multi-sectoral collaboration in line with its mandate.
The CCC is “grateful” for the continued support from Senators Imee Marcos and Loren Legarda, and Rep. Angelica Natasha Co in pushing the Commission’s initiatives.
“This budget allows the Commission to advance its work on resilience-building, climate negotiations, and the full implementation of the NAP and NDC,” CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert Borje said in a news release on Wednesday.
Marcos, the budget sponsor in the Senate, and Senate Minority Floor Leader Koko Pimentel highlighted the importance of improving processes of the People’s Survival Fund (PSF), which is crucial for supporting climate resilience projects at the local level.
As a member of the PSF Board, the CCC conducts technical reviews of proposals.
The PSF Board has approved 13 PSF project proposals amounting to PHP1.3 billion.
“One best example of an LGU recipient of a grant under the People’s Survival Fund, with completed projects, is represented by San Francisco in Camotes Island in Cebu, which is obviously a low income municipality, but has managed to build an ecological based farming model, which is now being replicated elsewhere,” Marcos said.
“That’s why we really need to support this Commission, budget-wise,” Pimentel, for his part, said.
The senators also supported the CCC’s efforts in climate negotiations, reinforcing the importance of global cooperation as the Philippines navigates critical international climate talks.
The budget approval aligns with the priorities set by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who has consistently called for accelerated climate action and resilience building.
The CCC remains dedicated to leading national climate change initiatives and ensuring the full implementation of the Republic Act 9729 or the Climate Change Act and related policies.
The CCC’s 2025 budget also marks a significant step forward in the country’s commitment to climate action and reinforces the Philippines’ efforts to meet global climate goals and protect vulnerable sectors.
“We will strengthen efforts to safeguard our communities, protect livelihoods, and enhance our adaptive capacities. This is crucial as we continue to experience the devastating impacts of climate change, including stronger typhoons, rising sea levels, and prolonged droughts,” Borje said. (PNA)
