Scoping Assessment on Climate Change Adaptation in the Philippines

Philippines
promoting transparent and responsive governance; and developing human
resources by enhancing social services and protection.
The PDP recognizes the vulnerability of the Philippines to climate-related
hazards. The document focuses on developing coping capacities to counter
immediate climate threats, and emphasizes CCA in the areas of agriculture,
infrastructure, water governance, lood management and housing. It plans
to employ ecosystem--based management, climate-sensitive technologies,
and climate-resilient systems to reduce the risks posed by the changing
climate. It also pays special attention to the role of LGUs in the ields of water
governance, agriculture, and Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUPs).
Republic Act 10121 or the Disaster Risk Reduction
and Management Law
Almost immediately, and even before the Climate Change Law came
into effect in 2009, its limitations were immediately recognized by risk
reduction advocates. Owing to what was understood as the DRR and CCA
nexus, proponents of risk reduction within the policy-making process,
incorporated key provisions that allowed for CCA in the Philippines to be
further strengthened by RA 10121:
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council
(NDRRMC) shall work with the Climate Change Commission (CCC) to
formulate and implement a framework for CCA and DRRM.
The Executive Director of the Climate Change Ofice of the Climate
Change Commission shall be part of the NDRRMC.
The CCC shall work with the NDRRMC in co-developing assessment
tools on existing and potential hazards and risks.
The NDRRMC will ensure the integration of DRR and CCA into local
development plans, programs, and budgets as a strategy in sustainable
development and poverty reduction.
Not less than ive percent (5%) of the estimated revenue from the
regular sources shall be set aside as the Local Disaster Risk Reduction
and Management Fund (LDRRMF) to support disaster risk management
activities. (Note that this provision becomes valuable to CCA work in
the Philippines because the CC Law does not specify allocations for CCA
work. Using the DRR and CCA nexus as a justiication, CCA can now be
funded by the LDRRMF).
Both DRR and CCA work aim at the reduction of vulnerabilities to
prevent loss of lives and assets due to climate and weather-related
hazards. The DRRM Law speciies that dereliction of duties, which lead
to destruction of property, loss of lives, critical damage of facilities and
misuse of funds, can be penalized under RA 10121, and the offender can
be disqualiied from public ofice if he/she is a public oficer.
People’s Survival Fund and Amendments to RA 9729
On 6 June 2012, the Bicameral Committee of the Philippine Congress approved
the proposed bill that establishes the People’s Survival Fund and amends RA
9729. The bill aims to address the gaps in RA 9729, mainly by specifying the
funds and fund sources for climate change adaptation in local governments
and communities. For instance, CCA funds may now come from 10 percent
of the cash dividends declared by all government-owned and controlled
corporations; 5 percent of proceeds from the sale of certiied or veriied
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