(Top-bottom; L-R) Speakers of the third CBILLS lecture: Mr. Rommel Reyes, Dr. Rosa Perez, Atty. Rachel Anne Herrera, Mayor Alfredo Coro II,  Dr. Jose. Leviste, Jr., and Dr. Gwendolyn Pang.

The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), through its Center for Governance- Policy Research Office (CFG-PRO), held the third installment of the 2023 Thursday Talks Lecture Series under the Capability Building on Innovative Leadership for Legislative Staff (CBILLS) program entitled, “Climate Action for an Inclusive and Resilient Philippines” on July 20, 2023, via Zoom communications and Facebook livestream.

Dr. Rosa Perez, senior research fellow of the Manila Observatory and the National Resilience Council, presented the causes of the rise in world surface temperatures, discussed the impacts of the crisis on livelihood, food, and water security in the Philippines, and highlighted the importance of commitment between the government and Filipinos in overcoming the climate emergency.

A panel discussion on multistakeholder perspectives on climate action followed Dr. Perez’s presentation. It featured experts and leading authorities from different sectors of society.

Atty. Rachel Anne Herrera, commissioner of Climate Change Commission (CCC), discussed the CCC’s mandate under Republic Act No. 9729, and mentioned its initiatives in developing modules and tools to empower local government units (LGUs) in mainstreaming climate change adaptation.

Mayor Alfredo Coro II of Del Carmen, Siargao presented the climate change adaptation projects of their municipality which are aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals while Dr. Jose Leviste, Jr., Committee Chairperson on Environment and Climate Change of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, talked about the important role of the business sector in climate action.

Dr. Gwendolyn Pang, Secretary General of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), also stated PRC’s continuous initiative in building the resilience of communities and shared its goal to reduce people’s vulnerabilities by creating immediate green jobs, establishing Climate Change Education, and improving waste management systems in the coastal areas of the Philippines.

Mr. Rommel Reyes, House Committee Secretary on Climate Change, capped off the event with a list of laws relevant to the panel reactors’ recommendations. These are Republic Act 10174: People’s Survival Funds, National Coastal Greenbelt Act of 2022, and House Bill 7705: Promoting Low Carbon Economy.   —Dannieliza Sambrano