Towards stronger local government and educational institutions in climate change impact mitigation: A policy paper on fiscal sustainability on climate change

Abstract

Through a careful analysis of official government documents such as national statutes, national agency memorandum orders, policy directives reports, and national and local plans, among others, pertinent to the Philippine Government's response to climate change mitigation and adaptation, the paper elucidated the policy directions of the country concerning climate change response. Aimed at proposing recommendations to enhance the current legal, organizational, and fiscal frameworks of the Philippine Government in its efforts to mainstream its climate change strategy, the paper identified some of the gaps and possible areas of improvement in the standing legal and structural constellations of policies employed in the country. It has been found by the research that though there have been actions related to the international mandate of promoting sustainable development, there are still areas that can be reformed and revisited if the government programs and institutions are to remain in fidelity to the commitments of the Philippines to combat the impacts and mitigate the effects of climate change. As the title suggests, the paper offers policy directions to strengthen government and academic institutions to better respond to this daunting challenge.References2013 Typhoon Haiyan: Facts, FAQs, and how to help. (n.d.). World vision. https://www.worldvision.org/disaster-relief-news-stories/2013-typhoon-haiyan-facts.Asian Disaster Reduction Center. (n.d.). Information on disaster risk reduction of member countries. https://www.adrc.asia/nationinformation.php?NationCode=608&Lang=en.Asian Development Bank. (2012). Addressing migration and climate change in Asia and the Pacific: Final report. ADB.Blair, H. (2000). Participation and accountability in the periphery: Democratic local governance in six countries. World Development 28(1). 21-39.Brillantes, A. & Montes, R. (2007). Federalism: Logical step after devolution? Philippine Journal of Public Administration 51(1-4). 1-32.Brillantes, A. (1987). Decentralization in the Philippines: An overview. Philippine Journal of Public Administration, 31 (2): 131-148.Brillantes, A. (1998). Decentralized democratic governance under the local government code: A governmental perspective. Philippine Journal of Public Administration, 32(1&2): 38-57.Brown, K. (2012). Typhoon Pablo batters ‘typhoon-free’ Mindanao. The Asia Foundation. https://asiafoundation.org/2012/ 12/19/typhoon-pablo-batters-typhoon-free-mindanao/.Capuno, J. (2019). Tugs of war: Local governments, national government. Public Policy Journal, 16 & 17: 98-116.Cheema, S. & Rondinelli, D. (2007). Decentralizing governance: Emerging concepts and practices. Brookings Institution Press.Dorotan, E. & Carizo, J. (2014). Issues and critical actions in local governance. Galing Pook Foundation.Hannah, R. (2014). Climate change and human development. Zed Books Ltd.Griggs, G. (2017). Coasts in crisis: A global challenge. University of California Press.Jha, A. & Geddes, Z. (2013). Strong, safe, and resilient: A strategic policy guide for disaster risk management in East Asia and the Pacific. The World Bank.Local Government Academy of the Philippines. (2013). User’s manual for LGUs: Guidebook for the preparation of LCCAP. Fabi’s Enterprises.Manila Observatory for the Congressional Commission on Science and Technology and Engineering. (2010). COMSTE Technical primer on climate change in the Philippines conference engineering resilience, confronting risk beyond adaptation. Sofitel ManilaMayon mud buries 100 in Bicol amid ‘Reming’ fury. (2006, Nov. 30). GMA News Online. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/22465/mayon-mud-buries-100-in-bicol-amid-remingfury/story/.National Climate Change Commission. (2021). 2020 Accomplishment Report: Adapting for a sustainable future.National Climate Change Commission. (2011). National climate change action plan.National Climate Change Commission. (2019). The Philippine national climate change action plan.NDCC: Typhoon ‘Frank’ damage estimate now at P 10B. (2008, July 1). GMA News Online. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/104407/ndcc-typhoon-frank-damage-estimate-now-atp10b/story/.Perez, R. (2017). Assessment of vulnerability and adaptation to climate change in the Philippines coastal resources sector. Natural Disaster Reduction Branch – PAGASA.Remembering Milenyo’s wrath in 2006. (2014, July 15). Philippine Star. https://www.philstar.com/news-commentary/2014/07/15/1346515/remembering-milenyos-wrath-2006.Republic Act 9729, An act mainstreaming climate change into government policy formulations, establishing the framework strategy and program on climate change, creating for this purpose the climate change commission, and other purposes (2009). https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2009/10/23/republic-act-no- 9729/.Republic Act 10174, An act establishing the people’s survival fund to provide long-term finance streams to enable the government to effectively address the problem of climate change, amending for the purpose Republic Act 9729, otherwise known as the 'Climate Change Act of 2009', and for other purposes (2012). https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2012/08/16/republic-act-no-10174/.Republic Act 10121, An act strengthening the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management System, providing for the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management framework and institutionalizing the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan, appropriating funds therefore and for other purposes (2010). https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2010/05/27/republic-act-no-10121/.Republic Act 7160, An Act for a Local Government Code of 1991 (1991). https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1991/10/10/republic-act-no-7160/.Walker, R. & Mason, W. (2015). Climate change adaptation for health and social services. CSIRO Publishing.