The Green Climate Fund (GCF) Board approved on March 16, 2023 the Adapting Philippine Agriculture to Climate Change (APA) Project during its 35th Board Meeting in Incheon, South Korea. The total project cost amounts to USD 39.2 million, financed by the GCF through a grant of USD 26.3 million and Philippine government co-financing of USD 12.9 million.

The Department of Finance (DOF) serves as the Philippines’ National Designated Authority to the GCF.

The Project builds on the Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (AMIA) led by the Department of Agriculture (DA) through activities that will help the country shift towards a climate-resilient agricultural system and increase climate resilience in rural areas. It is the first GCF-funded project to be implemented by the DA and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The APA Project will benefit some 1.25 million agricultural workers in areas vulnerable to climate change. The project seeks to enable beneficiaries to incorporate viable Climate Resilient Agriculture (CRA) technologies into their practices and enhance capacities to develop CRA enterprises through its integrated technical support services, such as training, provision of appropriate production inputs, market access, as well as, access to financing.

The Project will also increase awareness about climate change, its risks, and its management towards improving food security, increasing household incomes, and enhancing resilience.

The APA project will be implemented in at least nine (9) provinces identified as the most vulnerable climate change hot spots based on climate change projections. These areas are home to 60 percent of the Philippine rural population, or about 20 million out of 31.3 million rural people. More than half of the rural population most likely to be affected by the impacts of climate change reside within the project areas.

The APA project is one of the three (3) funding proposals of the FAO approved by the Board, and one of the seven (7) proposals for consideration and approval during the 35th Board Meeting.

Undersecretary Mark Dennis Y.C. Joven of the Department of Finance (DOF) represented the Philippines in the GCF Board meeting as the Alternate Board Member for the Asia Pacific Group of the GCF and focal of the country.

During the 35th Board Meeting, DA Undersecretary Mercedita Sombilla expressed appreciation to the DOF for assisting the DA on its journey toward a climate resilient agriculture sector for the Philippines.