The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is spearheading a unified national strategy to address the impacts of climate-related loss and damage in the Philippines.
Developed in coordination with the Climate Change Commission (CCC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Philippines, the initiative aims to streamline government and stakeholder responses to extreme weather events.
Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna noted the growing urgency for a structured approach as communities face recurring natural disasters.
“Every year, millions of Filipinos experience the impacts of extreme weather events, from homes damaged by typhoons and floods to livelihoods disrupted by droughts and changing weather patterns. While communities continue to adapt to climate change, many impacts can no longer be avoided, creating losses that affect lives, culture, health, livelihoods, and local economies,” Cuna said.
“Recognizing these growing challenges, the Philippines is developing a national Climate-related Loss and Damage Framework and Strategy that will guide how government, development partners, and other stakeholders work together to support communities affected by climate impacts. The strategy seeks to strengthen coordination, improve access to financing, enhance knowledge and data systems, and ensure that assistance reaches those most affected,” he added.
To kick off the initiative, the government convened the inaugural meeting of the Development Partners Coordination Group on Climate-related Loss and Damage (L&DDPCG) to align technical support, funding, and institutional assistance. Participants agreed to establish systems-focused workstreams to drive policy development, financing solutions, local action, and institutional strengthening.
The framework will be implemented through a multi-agency effort involving the DENR, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Agriculture (DA), and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).