During Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANA Mo) this September, the Climate Change Commission (CCC) emphasizes the critical need to safeguard marine ecosystems and strengthen the climate resilience of coastal communities.

MANILA, Philippines | 18 September 2026 — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) underscored the importance of protecting marine and coastal ecosystems and strengthening the resilience of coastal communities as the country observes Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANA Mo) this September.

The annual observance, established under Presidential Proclamation No. 316, series of 2017, promotes greater awareness of the Philippines’ maritime and archipelagic character and the importance of protecting the country’s maritime resources.

“As an archipelagic nation, our seas are not simply the spaces between our islands. They connect our communities, sustain livelihoods, support food security, and help protect us from the impacts of climate change,” said CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje.

Coastal communities face interconnected climate risks, including sea-level rise, storm surges, coastal flooding, erosion, saltwater intrusion and the degradation of marine ecosystems. These risks affect homes, livelihoods, infrastructure, fisheries and other essential services.

Borje emphasized that healthy mangroves, seagrass beds, coral reefs and other marine and coastal ecosystems are natural defenses that help reduce climate risks while supporting biodiversity and local economies.

“Protecting these ecosystems is both climate action and development policy. Their condition influences how well our communities withstand hazards, recover from disruption and sustain livelihoods over time,” he said.

The National Adaptation Plan 2023–2050 recognizes ecosystem and biodiversity resilience and climate-resilient livelihoods and industries among the country’s priority adaptation outcomes. Its implementation requires climate risks to be considered in land- and sea-use planning, infrastructure, coastal resource management and local development decisions.

The CCC called for stronger cooperation among national government agencies, local government units, coastal communities, fisherfolk, the private sector, academe and civil society to protect marine resources and translate climate information into practical local action.

“Awareness must lead to better decisions—where and how we build, how we manage our coasts, how we protect livelihoods and how we use marine resources without diminishing their value for future generations,” Borje added.

This MANA Mo, the CCC encourages Filipinos to deepen their appreciation of the seas that connect the country’s islands and strengthen their shared commitment to protecting them.

The CCC is the lead policy-making body of the government tasked to coordinate, monitor and evaluate programs and actions on climate change pursuant to Republic Act No. 9729, or the Climate Change Act, as amended.

For more information on the CCC’s climate mainstreaming activities and partnerships, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.