Finance Secretary and People’s Survival Board (PSF) Chair Ralph G. Recto has signed five financing agreements for local climate adaptation projects, while two new provinces have received project approvals, fully committing the PHP 1 billion PSF budget.

“I congratulate the PSF Board and the LGUs for working hard to conceptualize and study the feasibility of these projects, thus turning them into a reality. Rest assured, the national government will be with you every step of the way––from streamlining the project proposal process to expediting fund utilization––so that we can fast-track our efforts towards achieving a climate-resilient Philippines,” he said.

The PSF was established under Republic Act No. 10174 to finance adaptation programs and projects of local government units (LGUs) and accredited local and community organizations.

Through the Fund, the national government empowers LGUs to propose and implement their own solutions to adapt to the country’s changing climate needs.

The signed financing agreements cover five climate adaptation projects totaling PHP 539.4 million.

The local government of Eastern Samar received an amount of PHP 118.0 million for the reinforcement of the Lo-om River flood protection system in Borongan City and redevelopment for resilient communities and livelihoods.

The Municipality of Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte was provided with PHP 8.5 million worth of funding for the sustainable management of river ecosystems.

The Mountain Province was granted PHP 271.1 million to fund a climate field school for farmers.

Meanwhile, PHP 126.4 million was awarded to establish a disaster risk reduction management approach in the river ecosystem of Maramag, Bukidnon to enhance the climate adaptive capacity of communities.

Finally, PHP 2.6 million was granted to the Municipality of Catanauan, Quezon to implement a Mangrove Rehabilitation Project.

Secretary Recto was joined by Climate Change Commission (CCC) Vice Chair and Secretary Robert E.A. Borje, the other members of the Board, and the heads of LGUs during the signing of the PSF financing agreements on May 10, 2024 at the Department of Finance (DOF) office in Manila. The LGU leaders include Mountain Province Governor Bonifacio C. Lacwasan Jr.; Maramag, Bukidnon Mayor Jose Joel P. Doromal; Borongan City, Eastern Samar Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan C. Agda; Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte Mayor Jenry E. Montante; and Catanauan, Quezon Mayor Ramon A. Orfanel.

After the signing of the financing agreements, the PSF Board, presided by Chief-of-Staff and Climate Finance Policy Undersecretary Maria Luwalhati Dorotan Tiuseco, convened its 21st meeting where members deliberated and approved 2 new adaptation projects.

Prior to board approval, project validation is undertaken by members of the board, headed by PSF Secretariat DOF and its operational support, the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP). All projects undergo the Climate Rationale Review Evaluation (CRRE) Climate Change Commission (CCC).

The PSF Board approved a proposal on Building Resilience with Ridge to Reef Adaptation to Climate Change worth PHP 126.7 million, which was submitted by the Municipality of Cortes, Surigao Del Sur.

The project will help the fourth class municipality adapt to the ill effects of climate change by introducing climate-adaptive technologies in farming and fishing practices; establishing runoff diversion canals using climate-adaptive technologies and watershed management; establishing mangrove forests and ecotourism parks; and restoring degraded coral reefs.

The PSF Board approved a second project, the proposal on the Ilocos Norte Climate-Resilient Intervention towards Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resource Management worth PHP 305.3 million.

The project seeks to implement a holistic intervention targeting upland and lowland areas by establishing alternative water management and irrigation systems for agriculture; restoring soil and health fertility; implementing sustainable agroforestry; and strengthening support systems.

With the 13 projects and 6 Project Development Grants (PDGs), the PSF appropriation of PHP 1 billion has been fully committed.

The 13 approved projects are for the LGUs of Lanuza, Surigao del Sur (PHP 39 million); Del Carmen, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte (PHP 80.7 million); San Francisco, Camotes Islands, Cebu Province (PHP 30.8 million); Gerona, Tarlac (PHP 38.1 million); Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte (PHP 33.5 million); and Sarangani Province (PHP 113 million); Mountain Province (PHP 271.2 million); Borongan, Eastern Samar (PHP 118 million); Maramag, Bukidnon (PHP 126.4 million); Catanauan, Quezon (PHP 2.6 million); Cabagan, Isabela (PHP 21.3 million); Cortes, Surigao Del Sur (PHP 126.7 million); and Ilocos Norte Province (PHP 305.3 million)

The 6 PDGs were approved for the LGUs of Bobon, Northern Samar (PHP 2 million); Mondragon, Northern Samar (PHP 2 million); Pambujan, Northern Samar (PHP 2 million); Rosario, Northern Samar (PHP 2 million); San Jose, Northern Samar (PHP 2 million); and Besao, Mountain Province (PHP 2 million).

With this, the Board has submitted its request to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to replenish the PSF in the amount of PHP 2 billion to fund the other project proposals aimed at addressing climate change.

Present during the meeting was CCC Vice Chairperson Robert E.A. Borje who expressed how far the PSF has come, “Over the years, we have seen the PSF project approval process further streamlined with each member agency sharing insights based on its technical expertise.”

“The CCC congratulates Secretary Ralph Recto and the DOF as Chair, and the members of the PSF Board on this historic milestone—a demonstrated commitment to realize President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s vision of a climate-smart, climate-resilient nation, isang Pilipinas: Bagong Bansang Matatag. The CCC stands ready to further strengthen collaboration with the Board and its Secretariat, and project proponents, so that more local government units can access this domestic adaptation fund,” he added.

Other members present: are National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Undersecretary Carlos Bernardo O. Abad Santos; DBP Vice President Rustico Noli D. Cruz; Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Director Liza F. Bonagua; Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) Executive Director Kairos dela Cruz; Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) Representative Keith Therese L. Mamaril; DBM Atty. Ron Hortaleza; Business Sector Representative Peter Angelo Perfecto; and Academe Sector Representative Rex Victor Cruz.