Philippines: Project to showcase best practices on climate change adaptation
La Trinidad, Benguet -- Indigenous best practices of two provinces in the Cordillera region on the adaptation to climate change will be showcased as models of a foreign-funded program on climate change adaptation.
The program dubbed, "Strengthening the Philippines' Institutional Capacity to Adapt to Climate Change (SPICACC)," is a joint undertaking of the United Nations, Spain and the Philippines.
One of the expected outputs of the program is to have improved climate change mechanisms and adaptation strategies in the Cordilleras and the whole country as well. The program component is entitled "Enhanced Climate change adaptation Capacity of Communities in Contiguous Fragile Ecosystems in the Cordilleras."
Ifugao and Benguet were identified as demonstration sites in the region.
A memorandum of agreement and formal expression of support was forged among the program stakeholders at the Benguet State University last January 25. Aside from the representatives of the provincial governments of Ifugao and this province, other signatories were representatives from the Food and Agriculture Organization, Department of Agriculture, BSU, and the Ifugao State University.
Project Team Leader for Ifugao and Benguet Bess Lim said they will look into the indigenous practices and local practices for upscaling on climate change adaptation measures and if need be, introduce appropriate practices. She said consultants will go around and conduct vulnerability assessment.
The two provinces were identified primarily due to the existence of indigenous practices, their being disaster risk, commitment of local government unit, availability of state universities and colleges capable of conducting studies, and the presence of organizations to be potentially involved in the project.
Accordingly, agriculture, forestry and natural resources (AFNR) in the fragile mountain and the lowland ecosystems of the Cordillera region are among the most vulnerable areas to climate change.
Climate change threatens the Millennium Development goals of food security and environmental sustainability which needs adaptation measures to minimize its adverse effects.
(PIA-Benguet)