Finance Secretary and People’s Survival Board (PSF) chair Ralph Recto is seeking P2 billion in renewed funding from the Department of Budget and Management for climate change projects.
Recto’s request for additional funding came after the PSF signed five financing agreements for local climate adaptation projects and two provincial project approvals, fully committing the P1 billion PSF budget.
“I congratulate the PSF Board and the LGUs for working hard to conceptualize and study the feasibility of these projects, thus turning them into a reality. Rest assured, the national government will be with you every step of the way––from streamlining the project proposal process to expediting fund utilization––so that we can fast-track our efforts towards achieving a climate-resilient Philippines,” Recto said.
The PSF was established under Republic Act No. 10174 to finance adaptation programs and projects of local government units (LGUs) and accredited local and community organizations.
The national government empowers LGUs to propose and implement their own solutions to adapt to the country’s changing climate needs. The signed financing agreements cover five climate adaptation projects totaling P539.4 million.
The local government of Eastern Samar received P118 million for the reinforcement of the Lo-om River flood protection system in Borongan City and redevelopment for resilient communities and livelihoods.
The municipality of Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte was provided with P8.5 million worth of funding for the sustainable management of river ecosystems.
Mountain Province was granted P271.1 million to fund a climate field school for farmers.
Meanwhile, P126.4 million was awarded to establish a disaster risk reduction management approach in the river ecosystem of Maramag, Bukidnon to enhance the climate adaptive capacity of communities.
A P2.6 million grant was given to the municipality of Catanauan, Quezon to implement a mangrove rehabilitation project.
The PSF Board also approved a proposal on Building Resilience with Ridge to Reef Adaptation to Climate Change worth P126.7 million, which was submitted by the municipality of Cortes, Surigao Del Sur.
The project will help the fourth-class municipality adapt to the ill effects of climate change by introducing climate-adaptive technologies in farming and fishing practices; establishing runoff diversion canals using climate-adaptive technologies and watershed management; establishing mangrove forests and ecotourism parks; and restoring degraded coral reefs.
The PSF Board approved a second project—the proposal on the Ilocos Norte Climate-Resilient Intervention towards Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resource Management worth P305.3 million.
The project seeks to implement a holistic intervention targeting upland and lowland areas by establishing alternative water management and irrigation systems for agriculture; restoring soil and health fertility; implementing sustainable agroforestry; and strengthening support systems.