BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya —The Climate Change Commission (CCC) expanded the reach of climate resilience program to Nueva Vizcaya, marking the initiative’s deeper integration with the academe and local institutions.
CCC’s Accelerated Climate Action and Transformation for Local Communities, or the ACT Local Program, to Nueva Vizcaya aims to provide technical support to local government units (LGUs) in formulating and updating their Local Climate Change Action Plans (LCCAPs).
Held in partnership with the office of Senator Loren Legarda, the second leg strengthened LGU capacities on risk-informed climate planning, putting an emphasis on the connection between climate action, education and cultural heritage.
Underscoring the importance of local climate planning, Senator Legarda called on local government leaders and academic institutions in the province to ensure that their LCCAPs are updated and implemented in accordance with the Climate Change Act of 2009, as amended.
“All provinces and LGUs, municipalities, and cities must have LCCAPs, because how will we be able to withstand the challenges of natural hazards if we do not know our vulnerabilities and risks?” Legarda asked, noting that climate adaptation must be grounded in science and local realities.
She stressed the critical role of the CCC in supporting local governments through capacity-building initiatives such as ACT Local.
“The CCC’s role is very important because it mainstreams national and local climate change adaptation plans in every LGU,” she said, adding that empowering local leaders to understand their risks is essential to building resilient and sustainable communities.
CCC vice chairperson and executive director Robert E.A. Borje said effective climate action begins with foresight and informed planning. “Disaster response is one thing; preparedness is another,” he said, adding that local climate plans must be grounded in science and reliable data.
Borje also cited the importance of nature-based solutions in sustaining Nueva Vizcaya’s ecosystems and livelihoods, urging participants to take ownership of their roles in climate governance.
“This gathering is a call to action for the local chef executives to act and decide. May we always remember that meaningful climate action begins with a conscious decision, followed by sustained commitment and collaboration,” he said.
The two-day training, which was held from October 2 to 3, 2025, engaged 11 LGUs across the province and equipped their technical staff with science-based tools and knowledge on LCCAP formulation, climate projections, Climate and Disaster Risk Assessments (CDRA), Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory, Local Climate Change Expenditure Tagging (CCET) and access to the People’s Survival Fund (PSF).
Participants also deepened their understanding of climate science and projections, the NAP and the Nationally Determined Contribution Implementation Plan (NDCIP) and its Gender Action Plan (GAP) as frameworks for local action. CCC News
