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Climate Change Commission highlights Duterte administration’s achievements in climate fight
The Climate Change Commission spelled out the legacy of the Duterte administration in addressing climate change from extensive beach clean ups, tracking emission levels to pushing legislations aimed at building climate change resilient communities.
In his report to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Monday, Climate Change Commission Secretary Robert E.A. Borje said the Duterte government demonstrated strong political will in its pro-environment initiatives.
These include the closing of Boracay, undertaking the comprehensive Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program, and imposing a moratorium on new coal-fired power plants.
The government also operationalized the National Greenhouse Gas inventory to generate data and track emissions essential in decision and policymaking, including the ratification of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, according to Borje.
At the same time, the government also came up with the first Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), pegging it at 75 percent, which is more ambitious than other countries.
“And we’re saying, Mr. President, na hindi tayo nanghihingi ng dole out. Hindi tayo namamalimos. What we are asking for is a responsible partnership because we are least responsible for climate change,” he said.
Under the present administration, climate policies were formulated such as the National Climate Risk Management Framework to be used by different government agencies to increase the resiliency and climate change adaptation and mitigation measures.
The administration also advocated relevant laws that protect the people and communities. These include R.A. 11201, the act the created the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).
Borje said that under the Duterte administration, the government considers climate change adaptation in building shelters so that houses could withstand the challenges posed by changing weather.
Another climate-related law is R.A. 11285 or the Energy Efficiency Act, which provides incentives for energy conservation efforts.
These legislations, Borje said, are steps in the right direction, adding the government also opened access to international climate finance through the Green Climate Fund.
The government has also scaled up domestic public budget and investments in climate change. Under President Duterte’s leadership, the National Climate Public Budget from 2019 to 2022 was increased from P199 billion to P282 billion in 2022, Borje reported.
And from 25 national government agencies in 2020, the country now has 145 participants in the Climate Change Expenditure Tag Compliance that assesses government expenditures.
“Kasama din po dito ang pag-empower sa ating local governments through capacity building and technical support. Ang Communities for Resilience Program or CORE ay nagaganap na sa 167 LGUs at ngayon po ay kasama ng 124 state universities and colleges,” the Climate Change Commission chief said.
At the same time, the present administration also strengthened climate resilience through adaptation and mitigation interventions. These include local indigenous knowledge to learn best practices in climate change adaptation.
The Climate Change Commission head also made recommendations in the transition to green development and a low-carbon economy.
Borje suggested taking a three-pronged approach: policy; programs and projects; and promotions. According to him, there must be a change in paradigm, with the country focusing firmly on the present and the future.
Climate information must also be enhanced and it must be embedded in climate information for policy coherence using ICT, Borje said.
Relevant policies on impact valuation of climate change and disasters must be issued, and pending bills increasing knowledge to combat climate change must be supported.
The government must also push policies increasing renewable energy share in the energy mix. In the 2020 Philippine Energy Plan, renewable energy accounts for 19.29 percent of the total primary energy supply, Borje said, stressing the country has to do more.
Also, the country should develop local science and technology for climate change adaptation and mitigation and the People’s Survival Fund for local climate adaptation solutions must be mobilized.
“One billion pesos po ito, Mr. President. Right now, the utility rate is 31 percent, gusto ho naming i-akyat ito para sa 100 percent para magamit na ho ng ating mga LGUs,” he said. PND
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