Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 22)— Climate Change Commission (CCC) officials on Wednesday admitted the technicality of proposals hinder local government units from accessing the People’s Survival Fund (PSF).
Under Republic Act No. 10174, the PSF is an annual fund of at least ₱1 billion that will finance climate change adaptation projects of LGUs and community organizations. CCC deputy executive director Rommell Cuenca told a Senate finance subcommittee hearing there were years when no allocations were made.
According to Cuenca, ₱164 million of the total ₱1 billion has been disbursed to LGUs since 2016. Funds are being released continuously on a milestone or progress basis. The roughly ₱600 million balance is for upcoming projects.
To date, only six climate adaptation projects have been approved by the board. Senator Imee Marcos questioned what she called the low output despite the hefty PSF allocation.
Cuenca cited stringent requirements for the approval of proposals. The PSF board — composed of the CCC, economic managers, as well as representatives from the business sector, civil society, and the academe — reviews the applications.
“Ang batas po kasi ma’am ini-specify kung paano natin i-approve ‘yung projects…Hindi po pwedeng basta na lang magbigay ng pera, dapat may koneksyon sa klima at adaptation intervention po ito,” he said in the hearing.
[Translation: The law specifies how we approve the projects. We cannot just give money, there should be a connection to climate and adaptation intervention.]
He added that the COVID-19 pandemic made it more challenging for LGUs to focus on creating proposals. Marcos urged CCC officials to review the requirements to encourage more LGUs to apply and to highlight climate change issues.
CCC vice chairperson Emmanuel de Guzman vowed to revisit the process and the provisions in RA 10174. “We could find ways to ease the requirements for the LGUs to access the People’s Survival Fund. Kasi po medyo technical po ‘yung proposal development,” he told Marcos.
De Guzman vowed to strengthen the CCC’s evaluation and monitoring system for approved proposals under PSF.
PH awaits financing for climate change projects
The CCC said the country is expecting $75.6 million from the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
It was created by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to support global response to climate change. The UN Environment Programme said the GCF allocates resources for low-emission and climate resilient projects in developing countries.
The GCF approved three funding proposals from the Philippines, including projects focused on multi-hazard, impact-based forecasting, and renewable energy. CCC Commissioner Rachel Herrera said negotiations and legal processes are ongoing before funds are released to the country.
The proposals will be done in coordination with Land Bank of the Philippines, the Dutch development bank FMO, and the Asian Development Bank.
Climate change took the spotlight at the UN General Assembly, where President Duterte called on developed nations to fulfill their long-standing commitment. He reiterated the Philippines’ goal to reduce greenhouse gas emission by 75% in 2030.
In 2020, the country emitted an average of 1.98 metric tons of carbon dioxide, way below the global average of 4 metric tons.
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