(in photo above) Representatives from ICLEI SEAS, DENR, Philippine local governments, and DENR Regional Offices at the Inception Workshop for the “Harnessing Cities’ Share” Project. 

The ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability Southeast Asia Secretariat (ICLEI SEAS) and the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on 20 July 2022 officially launched its climate action planning webinar series for the country’s local governments.

Titled “Harnessing Cities’ Share in the Implementation of the Environment and Natural Resources Component of the Philippines’ Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) Capacity Building Webinar Series for Highly Urbanized Cities in the Philippines,” the capacity building series was launched through an inception workshop attended by over 140 representatives from different cities and DENR regional offices.

Opening the workshop on behalf of Undersecretary Analiza Teh, DENR Climate Change Service Director Elenida Basug called attention to the Roadmap by the Presidential Cabinet Cluster on Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation – Disaster Risk Reduction (CCAMDRR). The Roadmap aims to to increase the adaptive capacities of communities in 24 climate vulnerable provinces and 4 major urban centers in the Philippines.

As co-chair of CCAMDRR, the DENR is advancing its efforts to implement the Roadmap and engaging local governments in the implementation of the Environment and Natural Resources component of the Philippine’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).

Ms. Jemi Santos, ICLEI SEAS Project Officer, shared ICLEI’s experience in bridging NDCs, national efforts, and local efforts through the recently concluded Ambitious City Promises (ACP) project. Recognizing how ACP project milestones showcased the important role of local governments in concerted climate action, the DENR is also collaborating with ICLEI SEAS in capacitating select Philippine cities to craft their own “City Promises”—their commitments and actions to pursue low emission urban development.

“Local governments have plenty of ideas and enthusiasm when it comes to climate action. However, they should strive for actions that are evidence-based and consistent with the country’s NDCs as well as with their development contexts, priorities, and aspirations,” explained Ms. Pamela Cabacungan, ICLEI SEAS Low Emission Development Strategies Manager.

Mr. Albert Magalang, DENR Climate Change Division Chief, seconded Ms. Cabacungan’s statements and further discussed the country’s climate commitment. The Philippine NDCs state that it “commits to a projected GHG emissions reduction and avoidance of 75%, of which 2.71% is unconditional and 72.29% is conditional.” Mr. Magalang added that the DENR is mandated and committed to implement various mitigation policies and measures in the industrial processes and product use, solid waste, and wastewater sectors. Therefore, the department enjoins the support and collaboration of LGUs in climate action, especially with this new capacity building series.

Facilitating open discussion, EnP Kenneth Hizon, ICLEI SEAS Project Assistant, noted that local government participants found the topics on NDCs and City Promises as informative, interesting, challenging, urgent, and complex. Some participants also raised climate justice and climate finance as subjects of concern for local governments.

Closing the program, Ms. Mary Jane Alvarez, ICLEI SEAS Regional Program Manager, emphasized the role of local governments in sustainability and climate resilience, saying “This series shall initially focus on capacity building and knowledge sharing with cities. Armed with new knowledge, local governments can then better accelerate support for and implement climate change mitigation measures at the local level.”