The Climate Change Commission, in collaboration with the German Government, led the second workshop on Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) and Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) to strengthen climate action through improved climate reporting and tracking systems. MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine government, through the Climate Change Commission (CCC), in partnership with the German government, advanced efforts to strengthen the country’s national climate reporting system to support more science-based and effective climate action. The initiative built on the first workshop held in August 2026, which examined gaps in the country’s existing climate reporting systems and identified areas for improvement. The second workshop, held in September 2026, advanced the work by validating and refining the proposed roadmap for a more integrated national reporting system that can provide better information on climate progress and help guide evidence-based decisions and actions. CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje said the initiative helped identify persistent challenges that must be addressed to strengthen the country’s climate reporting system. “The work undertaken through this initiative has also highlighted persistent structural challenges we face—including differences in data availability and methodologies, fragmented institutional processes, and gaps in technical and institutional capacity,” Borje said. The workshops focused on improving how government agencies track and report progress on climate action. A stronger reporting system can help the government better understand what is working, identify gaps, and use reliable climate data and evidence to guide policies, programs, and investments. The system brings together two important functions: Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV), which tracks and verifies progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL), which tracks and assesses progress in climate adaptation and uses lessons from implementation to improve future action. Discussions also focused on the proposed roadmap and gathered stakeholder input on its strategic areas, governance arrangements, actions, responsible agencies, timelines, and the enabling conditions needed to implement. Through the workshop, national government agencies and partners worked to improve existing indicators and agree on how climate action can be tracked more consistently across sectors. Dr. Nicole Kranz, Head of Climate Action and Disaster Resilience at the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH of Germany, underscored their continued support for the Philippines in strengthening its national climate reporting capacities. “Throughout the years, Germany and the Philippines have been working together to make sense and advance the system nationally for the Philippines. Also, this stands, of course, in the context of other German support into developing capacity on MRV monitoring and related issues,” Kranz said. The event was organized under the Philippines-Germany Transformative Actions for Climate and Ecological Protection and Development (TRANSCEND) project, implemented by GIZ and co-facilitated by experts from WSP, Clean Air Asia and Manila Observatory, as part of the CBIT Philippines Project. It brought together representatives from national government agencies, development and technical partners, and other stakeholders involved in climate transparency and reporting. The CCC will continue to work with national government agencies and development partners to strengthen science-based systems for tracking climate progress and informing policies and actions that respond to the country’s climate risks. For more information on the CCC’s climate mainstreaming programs and partnerships, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.
Climate Change Commission (CCC) officials and Youth Climate Leadership Accelerator Project (Youth CLAP) participants take part in the Youth CLAP Innovation Showcase 2026, where young climate innovators presented their solutions, shared their ideas, and affirmed their commitment to climate action at the Philippine Normal University in Manila on September 26, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) showcased youth-led climate solutions and policy ideas from nine university teams during the Youth Climate Leadership Accelerator Project (Youth CLAP) Innovation Showcase 2026 held on September 26 at the Philippine Normal University (PNU) in Manila. The participating teams came from Ateneo de Manila University, Mapúa University, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela, Philippine Normal University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Quezon City University, Taguig City University, University of the Philippines, and University of Santo Tomas. They presented proposals addressing climate adaptation and mitigation, resilience, governance, technology, and community action. In a message delivered by CCC Deputy Executive Director Romell Antonio O. Cuenca, Senator Loren Legarda highlighted the role of young Filipinos in shaping the country’s response to the climate crisis. “Your generation is not simply waiting for the future. You are already shaping it,” Legarda said. The Senator said young people can contribute to climate action through their ideas, creativity, energy, and ability to challenge old ways of thinking and develop new solutions. She also encouraged the participants to bring what they learned through Youth CLAP to their communities, build partnerships, and move from ideas to action. CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje emphasized that the young participants should not wait until they graduate or assume formal positions before contributing to climate action. “You are not future leaders—you are leaders now,” Borje said. “You have already demonstrated the curiosity to learn, the empathy to listen to communities, and the boldness to propose solutions. Carry that forward.” Borje said the CCC, together with its partners, is committed to supporting young climate leaders through technical assistance, mentorship, and networks that can help bring their ideas closer to the frontlines of climate action. The nine teams presented their climate solutions through proposal pitching and an exhibition featuring their project and design concepts. The proposals included program and project designs, policy and governance proposals, service and system designs, campaigns, digital tool concepts, and other locally relevant climate solutions. The Innovation Showcase also featured an Innovation Conversation on “From Ideas to Impact: Turning Youth Innovation into Climate Action,” which explored how youth-led climate ideas can be further developed and connected with climate action. CCC Commissioner Rachel Anne S. Herrera emphasized that Youth CLAP is also about developing the people who will contribute to climate resilience beyond the program. “With Youth CLAP, it is not only about developing policies and programs. It is also about developing the people who will continue to contribute to that work of building climate resilience in the years ahead,” Herrera said. The program also formally launched the Young Climate Innovators Circle, a community of practice intended to sustain collaboration, learning, knowledge exchange, and opportunities among Youth CLAP participants and partners beyond the Innovation Showcase. CCC Deputy Executive Director Romell Antonio O. Cuenca said the Innovation Showcase should serve as a starting point for further development of the students’ proposals. “I hope that today’s presentations will be the beginning of further work—not necessarily perfect solutions, but ideas that can continue to be tested, improved, and developed with communities, institutions, government, and the private sector,” Cuenca said. Joshua Lorenz Gaa of Mapúa University, one of the Youth CLAP participants, reflected on the importance of sustaining hope and action beyond the program. “We hold on to hope. Not a passive hope that waits for someone else to solve the problem. But a hope that moves. A hope that shows up. A hope that learns. And a hope that acts,” Gaa said. The Youth CLAP is a CCC initiative implemented in partnership with the National Youth Commission (NYC) and other stakeholders to strengthen the capacity of young people to contribute to climate and disaster resilience. It seeks to build a pipeline of young climate leaders by equipping university students with knowledge, leadership competencies, practical skills, and mentorship to develop innovative and locally relevant climate adaptation and mitigation initiatives. Through blended learning, mentorship, and hands-on activities, the program equips students from higher education institutions with the knowledge and skills to develop innovative and locally relevant climate adaptation and mitigation initiatives while connecting their ideas with communities, institutions, and policymakers. The activity received logistical support from the Office of the President, which provided service vehicles to facilitate the transportation of student participants from participating universities. It was also supported by sponsors Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, mWell, and First Gen. Special awards were given to recognize youth-led work in areas such as clean energy transition, technology and innovation, campus resilience, scalability and adaptability, evidence-based design, practical and low-cost solutions, policy and governance, youth engagement and creativity, youth-led systems change, and booth design. The event concluded with the presentation of the Youth Statement and Commitment, affirming the participants’ commitment to advancing climate action beyond the Youth CLAP program. The Innovation Showcase also contributes to the development of the Youth CLAP Innovation Compendium, digital catalogue, feature stories, and other documentation intended to capture and share the students’ climate solutions and learning. For the CCC, the showcase marks the culmination of the first Youth CLAP cycle and the continuing development of a community of young climate leaders who can help translate ideas into practical climate action. For more information on the CCC’s climate mainstreaming activities and partnerships, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.
MANILA, Philippines — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) is calling for stronger predictive governance as the country prepares for the possible intensification of the ongoing Strong El Niño into a Very Strong El Niño between September and December 2026. The phenomenon is expected to persist through the first half of 2027. The CCC’s approach supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s call for predictive governance, moving government beyond reactive responses by using science, data, and risk information to anticipate risks and guide decisions before impacts escalate. In his 2026 State of the Nation Address, Marcos said the government has “moved on from the reactive approach” and is “not only proactive, but predictive as well, aided by digital tools.” The call follows the September 23 climate advisory of the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAGASA), which warned of potential impacts associated with below-normal rainfall, dry spells, and drought in some parts of the country. PAGASA also noted that localized above-normal rainfall may still occur, particularly over western areas during the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat. CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje emphasized the need to use climate forecasts and risk information to anticipate impacts and guide timely decisions. “Predictive governance means using the climate information available to us today to anticipate the risks we may face tomorrow. As we prepare for the potential intensification of El Niño, we must translate forecasts into timely decisions and concrete actions that protect our communities, livelihoods, and essential resources,” Borje said. The CCC called for stronger integration of climate projections, risk assessments, and scenario-based planning into local development planning, disaster risk reduction and management, and sectoral adaptation measures. These may include water conservation and supply contingency planning, climate-informed agricultural decisions, early warning dissemination, and health preparedness, based on projected risks and local conditions. Borje said preparedness should begin before the full impacts of prolonged dry conditions are felt, allowing institutions to identify vulnerabilities and prepare resources and interventions in advance. “We should not wait for impacts to fully materialize before taking action. Forecasts and risk assessments can help us determine where vulnerabilities may emerge, what resources may be needed, and what measures can be put in place early,” he said. The Commission emphasized that predictive governance requires coordinated action among national government agencies, local government units (LGUs), communities, the private sector, and other stakeholders, with climate information translated into decisions relevant to specific sectors and localities. The CCC also stressed that immediate preparedness should be aligned with the Philippines’ National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), linking near-term climate risk reduction with longer-term resilience and sustainable development. The CCC has previously identified the NAP, NDC Implementation Plan, and National Climate Risk Management Framework as key governance instruments that support the integration of climate information into planning, investment, and decision-making. Risk-informed investments and planning should prioritize climate-sensitive sectors, particularly water security, food production, public health, and livelihoods, while ensuring that climate information and preparedness support reach vulnerable and marginalized communities. “Predictive governance must ultimately lead to action on the ground. Climate information must reach the people and institutions that need it and be translated into practical measures, appropriate investments, and timely support for communities,” Borje added. While El Niño generally increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall in various parts of the country, PAGASA’s advisory highlights the possibility of localized rainfall events. The CCC therefore urged government institutions, LGUs, communities, and other stakeholders to remain guided by official advisories and implement preparedness measures appropriate to their respective climate risks and local conditions. The CCC continues to advance predictive, science-based, risk-informed, and inclusive climate governance, encouraging stakeholders to use climate information and risk assessments to anticipate emerging risks, strengthen preparedness, and translate forecasts into concrete measures that protect lives, livelihoods, and resources essential to sustainable development. For more information on the CCC’s climate mainstreaming activities and partnerships, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.
At the 4th ASEAN Women Leaders’ Summit, CCC Commissioner Rachel Anne S. Herrera emphasized how ASEAN can advance gender-responsive climate action. (Photos from the Philippine Commission on Women) MANILA, 1 October 2026 — ASEAN member states must move beyond consultation and toward measurable, time-bound commitments that ensure women have leadership roles in climate resilience efforts across the region, the Climate Change Commission (CCC) said in a recent ASEAN leaders’ summit. Speaking at a parallel session at the 4th ASEAN Women Leaders’ Summit, CCC Commissioner Rachel Anne S. Herrera urged regional leaders to adopt concrete targets and accountability mechanisms that translate women’s participation into real influence over climate policy, finance, and disaster risk governance. Herrera proposed three measures: a regional target of parity in representation of women and women’s organizations in disaster management councils and climate finance governing boards by 2030; a common ASEAN protocol for gender-responsive climate budget tagging; and a regional protocol under the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response requiring sex-, age-, and disability-disaggregated data in all post-disaster assessments, hazard maps, and vulnerability profiles, tracked through a shared and public scorecard. “None of these would require a new agreement or treaty,” Herrera emphasized. “It requires us to hold each other to two disciplines: measure what actually changed, and set a deadline for fixing what did not.” Herrera pointed out that women are not just passive recipients of relief, but are also “architects of climate policy, stewards of climate finance, and leaders in disaster risk governance.” “Women are not only among the most affected by climate change. They are among the most effective actors,” she added. ASEAN and its member states already have policies in place that institutionalize the participation of women in gender-responsive climate action, Herrera noted. The Philippines, in particular, has important institutional mechanisms that advance women leadership in climate resilience efforts. The Philippines’ Gender Action Plan under its Nationally Determined Contribution integrates gender, disability, and social inclusion across greenhouse gas reduction efforts. The Gender and Climate Change Advisory Group is an inter-agency body coordinating gender mainstreaming in climate governance, and the Harmonized Gender and Development Guidelines Checklist for climate adaptation and mitigation provides a scoring tool for assessing gender-responsiveness. Herrera pointed out that the Climate Change Expenditure Tagging (CCET) system tracks how national and local budgets support adaptation and mitigation, while the People’s Survival Fund (PSF) allocates at least PHP1 billion annually for local adaptation projects that account for women’s differentiated vulnerabilities. Meanwhile, the Philippine Resilience Awards honors women and youth champions. Herrera cited two awardees as models: Ms. Erma Suyo of Agusan del Norte, who trained over 1,255 women as community disaster risk reduction and management leaders, and Department of Social Welfare and Development Undersecretary Diana Rose Cajipe, who embedded gender and social inclusion into national disaster response. These efforts, Herrera said, align with regional frameworks such as the ASEAN Regional Framework on Protection, Gender and Inclusion in Disaster Management and the 2017 Declaration on Gender-Responsive Implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025. The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to working with ASEAN partners to develop a regional Gender and Climate and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Advisory Group, anchored on shared standards for disaggregated data, gender analysis, and minimum representation levels. “We do not need more reports simply telling us that a gender gap exists,” Herrera concluded. “We need systems that tell us who is responsible for addressing it, what needs to change, and by when. That is where regional cooperation can make a real difference.” The session was organized by the Philippine Commission on Women as part of the Philippines’ 2026 ASEAN Chairship. It brought together leaders from ASEAN Member States, development partners, and civil society to exchange experiences and identify strategic actions to advance gender equality and women’s leadership. For more information on the CCC’s climate mainstreaming activities, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.
From L-R: Mr. Baxter Duane Hernandez, Investor Associate, Mana Impact Partners; Ms. Nadea Nabilla, Founder and CEO, Azura Indonesia; Commissioner Rachel Anne Herrera, Climate Change Commission; Ms. Helen Reyes, Hublag Microfinance; and Mr. Michael Philipps, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Future Fish MACTAN, CEBU — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) underscored the urgent need for science-driven policies and innovative financing to protect the highly vulnerable fisheries and aquaculture sector from escalating climate change impacts at the 2026 Seafood and Fisheries Emerging Technologies (SAFET) conference in Mactan, Cebu. More than 300 global stakeholders, including technology developers, government officials, and industry leaders, attended the conference, which focused on strengthening the links among sustainable fisheries, seafood systems, and climate-adaptive technology. CCC Commissioner Rachel Anne Herrera noted that sea-level rise in the Philippines is projected to be twice the historical global average, threatening coastal settlements and accelerating saltwater intrusion. Global models further project a decline of 9% to 24% in potential marine fisheries across the archipelago by 2050. Presenting the Philippines' National Adaptation Plan (NAP) 2023–2050, Herrera pointed out that the Philippines stands at the global frontline of the climate crisis, having been repeatedly ranked first in disaster risk by the World Risk Report. The NAP estimates that climate change could cost the Philippines up to $22.4 billion (₱1.4 trillion) annually by 2030 in a business as usual scenario. “Our aquaculture infrastructure is also at risk: it is projected that a significant portion of our roads, bridges, and municipal assets will encounter extreme hazards in the coming decades, resulting in billions of pesos in direct economic losses. Additionally, our fragile marine ecosystems like coral reefs and mangroves, which generate billions of pesos in invaluable ecosystem services, are rapidly degraded by warming waters and severe weather,” Herrera said. “Inaction is no longer an option,” she added. Under the NAP’s overarching theme, “Securing Food Supply: Nurture Nature, Sustain Livelihoods,” the CCC emphasized that agriculture, fisheries, and food security are "front and center" priorities. Protecting these sectors is not only an ecological necessity but a social imperative, as fisherfolk continue to suffer from some of the highest poverty incidence rates in the country. During the session, Herrera said that the Philippine government is already moving from planning to implementation via the Philippine Adaptation Investment Platform (AIP), which was launched during the 2nd Adaptation Investment Forum earlier in March. Recognizing that public funds alone cannot meet the projected trillion-dollar global adaptation need by 2050, the AIP is actively seeking to crowd in private and blended finance. The AIP aims to build a portfolio pipeline worth at least $350 million over the next five years. During a panel discussion, Herrera highlighted the importance of "blended capital"—where public and development funds are used to de-risk investments—making adaptation projects more attractive to private investors. She cited successful ground-level models, such as those implemented by Hublag Microfinance, which link marine protected areas with sustainable livelihoods, as best practice for scalable adaptation finance. “Public funds alone cannot meet the immense challenges of climate change. The Adaptation Investment Platform and similar mechanisms help mobilize private and blended finance to de-risk investments and scale up climate resilience initiatives,” CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje affirmed. The 2026 SAFET Conference was co-hosted with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and British Embassy Manila, with the theme “From Innovation to Implementation: Powering Responsible Fisheries, Markets, and Livelihoods.” It concluded with a call to action to transform coastal communities from "frontlines of vulnerability into beacons of climate resilience" through the combined lens of social justice, gender responsiveness, and innovative financial architecture. SAFET was founded in 2014 as a US non-profit initiative that serves as an impartial global platform bridging the gap between technology solution providers and the needs of the seafood and fisheries sector. The Climate Change Commission is the lead policy-making body of the government on climate change. It coordinates, monitors and evaluates government programs and works to mainstream climate change in national, local and sectoral development plans. For more information on the CCC’s climate mainstreaming activities and partnerships, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.
