Cagayan, one of the most hazard-prone provinces in the Philippines, agreed to advance local resilience and climate action to reduce disaster risks and save lives.
Located at the northeast tip of Luzon, Cagayan lies within the seismically active zone that exposes communities to both volcanic and earthquake risks.
The province also sits squarely within the “cyclone belt.” It is traversed by the Cagayan River, the country’s longest and largest river system, making it highly vulnerable to seasonal flooding, extreme heat and other climate-induced disasters.
Such recurring hazards continue to challenge local development efforts, underscoring the need to strengthen climate and disaster resilience.
Cagayan and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Philippines, with support from the Australian government, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to boost the province’s capacity against disasters and climate change.
Cagayan Gov. Edgardo B. Aglipay and UNDP Philippines ad interim Resident Representative Knut Ostby led the ceremonial signing to formally launch of the Strengthening Institutions and Empowering Localities Against Disasters and Climate Change (SHIELD) Program in the province.
A defining feature of SHIELD is its collaborative, multi-stakeholder approach to risk-to-resilience investments. The program will be implemented in close coordination with a number of national government agencies, including the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
UNDP Philippine News
Also joining the initiative are National Resilience Council (NRC), Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and UN-Habitat.
The partnership ensures that local governments gain access to technical expertise, science-based tools and community-driven solutions that reinforce long-term resilience.
Aglipay affirmed the province’s full support to SHIELD, noting that environmental protection and disaster resilience have long been priorities for the provincial government.
“To make this partnership succeed, the provincial government of Cagayan commits to rapid coordination and evidence-based planning. We will open provincial datasets, support risk assessments, and ensure findings inform our development and investment plans,” Aglipay said.
“We will prioritize initiatives that protect communities, strengthen agri-value chains, and mobilize blended finance for resilient investments. We will also advance the Green Wall approach, integrate agroforestry and livelihood planning, and institutionalize community-based monitoring systems,” he said.
UNDP ad interim Resident Representative Knut Ostby stressed the importance of the partnership.
“This partnership with Cagayan is a crucial step in strengthening local systems that protect lives, livelihoods and development gains,” he said.
“Through SHIELD, we aim to empower local governments with the tools, data, and capacities they need to make risk-informed decisions and implement solutions that truly build resilience for communities most exposed to climate and disaster risks,” he added.
Under the partnership, SHIELD will work closely with Cagayan to strengthen the data ecosystem for resilience planning and informed decision-making.
It will co-develop risk-informed land-use plans and investment programs, and advance resilient livelihoods and enterprises through value chain analysis and business continuity planning. UNDP Philippine News
