Senator Loren Legarda’s Platform on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction

• In 2009, the PHL suffered economic damages equivalent to 2.7% of its GDP from two typhoons alone.[1]

• Based on a World Bank report released this year, 74% of PHL’s population have been found to be vulnerable to natural disasters.[2]

• With 2,360 deaths in 2012, the PHL recorded the highest number of disaster-related deaths in the world for that year. [3]

• The Philippines has been experiencing budget deficits due to disasters, from more than Php 100 billion in 2000 to Php 300 billion, resulting to increased foreign borrowings. The country can suffer losses worth more than $9 billion due to a strong earthquake. Losses to disasters could even exceed the country’s revenue.

• Amid all the risks and potential losses from disasters, the report emphasizes that the Philippines has shown improvements in its disaster risk reduction and management efforts, particularly through increased budget allocations for DRR. The allocation for DRR investments in the national budget has increased from 1.4% in 2009 to 2.1% in 2011.

Action Plan for Climate Change Adaptation

• Intensify efforts to raise public awareness on the impacts of climate change and the benefits of promoting sustainable farming practices to enhance the country’s adaptive capacity. [4]

o   DRR and CCA workshops and extend provisions for DRR;

o   Distribution of geohazard maps, Institutionalize geohazard mapping;

o    Strict enforcement of land use regulations;

o   Conduct of lectures to LGUs and state universities (SUCs);

o   Strict enforcement of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Law;

o   IEC campaign i.e. launching of Ligtas, a documentary on disaster preparedness;

o   Community-based activities for ecotourism and culture in order to ease the impact of climate change in their localities;

§  During her visit to Abatan River in Bohol, SLL was impressed by efforts of the provincial government in creating a cultural adventure through the convergence of the five municipalities of Maribojoc, Catigbian, Balilihan, Cortes and Antequera. i.e. national legislature declaring Abatan River a living ecological museum, Community-based eco-tourism code

o   As discussed during SLL’s meeting with Secretary Luistro, SLL will spend her PDAF on establishing a “model green campus.”

• Enhance national government – local government coordination, planning, and funding mechanisms to boost agroforestry in the support of sustainable development.

• Promote green infrastructure by investing in the rehabilitation of the country’s wetlands and forests and the restoration of our coral reefs.[5]

• Develop an effective system for gathering and disseminating information through up-to-date metrological early warning systems.

o   SLL filed Senate Bill 1406, the PAG-ASA Modernization Act.

• Introduce social protection schemes such as crop insurance to ease impact on highly vulnerable groups, e.g. farmers and fisherfolk, during natural disasters. [6]

• Improve the country’s existing water governance, land use policies, building and zoning plans. Enhance resilience of our schools and hospitals and improve urban and rural development planning. [7]

o   SLL filed and plans to re-file the following bills in the 16^th Congress:

§  Philippine River Basin System Administration Act –  this proposed measure seeks to adopt and institutionalize the Integrated River System Management Approach as a systematic framework in addressing river water management and development and establish a comprehensive river administration system for flood control, water use and environmental conservation.

§  National Land Use Act – this bill seeks to institutionalize a national land use policy to ensure a rational, holistic, and just allocation, utilization, management and development of the country’s land resources.

§  Preparedness in Buildings – this bill seeks to enhance our resiliency to disasters by preparing the citizenry, particularly school children and the occupants of health-care institutions, their administrators, operators, and personnel on the proper response and actions to take in cases of fires, earthquakes, and other hazardous phenomena.

§  Soil and Water Conservation Act – this bill seeks to support sustainable land management programs for livelihood improvement, particularly that of upland farmers and indigenous peoples, and for the prevention of land degradation and the protection of the environment and natural resource base.

§  Malunggay Development Act – This bill seeks to spur the production, processing, marketing, and distribution of malunggayin suitable areas of the country in order to acquire the benefits of the exceptionally nutritious and productive but underutilized tropical crop locally known as malunggay.

• Relocate vulnerable communities and strengthen livelihood for the poor and vulnerable

• Assess state of implementation of Climate Change Act and DRRM laws. SLL to file a resolution to this effect.

• Promote the strengthening of health management

o   Establishment of a proficient and efficient health emergency management system in the country, especially in major urban centers like Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao

• Promote disaster research and evaluation as basis for sound policy, plan and interventions in the country, which are intrinsic to DRR-CCA and resilience building

o   Strengthening of our disaster risk reduction and management system and services (delivery of disaster response and recovery services), especially for recurring impacts of typhoon, flashflood and landslide such as Typhoon Pablo, Sendong, Ondoy and Pepeng, and for the anticipated impact of major earthquakes.

• Invest more in renewable energy and ensure proper management of resources

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• Make DRR – CCA a priority in local governance

o   Adopt mainstreaming as a strategy for addressing disaster and climate risks in the area

o   Adopt a common agenda or action plan for DRR and CCA

o   Adopt a DRR-CCA enhanced Comprehensive Land Use Adaptation

o   Collaborate with neighboring LGUs for integrated and coordinated actions to address common hazards and risks