The Climate Change Commission (CCC), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the British Embassy laid out plans to bolster climate resilience and adopt more responsive measures to reduce disaster risks.
“We recognize that resilience must be built from the ground up. That’s why we are working closely with local governments, civil society and indigenous communities to ensure that adaptation strategies are context-specific, inclusive, and responsive to local needs,” said Lloyd Cameron of British Embassy Manila. “Empowering local actors is not just good practice, it is an essential for sustainability.”
The CCC met with key development partners at the Manila Peninsula in Makati City for the first technical-level meeting of the Philippines Adaptation Development Partners’ Coordination Group (DPCG) on September 8, 2025. The meeting marked a milestone in strengthening coordination and collaboration to advance the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) through localization, finance mobilization, and joint action.
The first session, presented by CCC Commissioner Rachel Anne Herrera, focused on advancing climate resilience through localization. She outlined the NAP localization approach, anchored on climate analytics and evidence-based planning, supported by both global and national data.
The DPCG is crucial as it provides a structured platform to align resources, knowledge, and actions among partners. It helps avoid duplication, ensures efficient use of resources, and strengthens the country’s capacity to respond to climate risks in a coordinated way.
The meeting brought together government agencies, development institutions, the private sector and academe to discuss priority adaptation workstreams for its first year, including NAP mainstreaming, localization, and finance mobilization.CCC News
“At its core, what we are doing is nation-building not by creating isolated structures or sectors but through ecosystem building; they are interconnected systems that shape resilience, drive the economy, and safeguard dignity. Poor design locks in inequity,” said CCC vice chairperson and executive director Robert E.A. Borje.
“Good design fosters inclusion, respects resources, and anchors growth. The natural and built environment reflect who we are as a people—and who we aspire to become,” he said.
The participants echoed the urgency of accelerating adaptation action through a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.
DENR Undersecretary Jonas R. Leones stressed the importance of breaking silos and integrating convergence. “We have already seen how collaboration among partners can deliver transformative results, whether through joint programs on climate resilience, shared investment in capacity building, or innovative financing for conservation.”
“These best practices remind us that we can achieve more when we act together rather than in silence. As we move ahead, let us use DPCG as a bridge to connect partners, resources, and solutions in ways that truly deliver for our people and ecosystems,” Leones added.
CCC News
