File photo of Commissioner Albert Dela Cruz Sr. at a meeting with the Rotary Club of Makati.

MANILA — Climate Change Commissioner Albert Dela Cruz on Wednesday (20 Sept. 2023) reminded authorities that apart from initiating steps to mitigate the impacts of climate change, focus should be made on the implementation of adaptation measures that would pave the way for a resilient future for Filipinos and the whole country.

The climate official’s call came after the Asian Development Bank (ADB) reportedly approved a USD303 million (₱17.2 billion) loan to address the persistent flooding problem in the country amidst worsening climate change.

Earlier, the ADB disclosed that the approved loan will be allocated for efforts to reduce flood and climate risks, as well as protect people and livelihoods in three major river basins in the country even as the Philippines remains one of the most climate-vulnerable countries over the past two decades.

ADB senior water resources specialist Junko Sagara cited that the multi-billion peso loan will be earmarked to finance the first phase of the Integrated Flood Resilience and Adaptation Project which aims to reduce flood risks in three major river basins, namely Abra, Agus (Ranao), and Tagum-Libuganon River Basins, and enhance flood and climate change resilience.

In reaction, Commissioner Dela Cruz lauded the initiative because this would pave the way for the upgrading and construction of flood protection infrastructures in the three major river basins in Luzon and particularly Mindanao, which is currently experiencing severe flooding in several areas.

“These will reflect to adaptation measures that we need to put in place immediately. This infrastructure takes into account future climate change impacts and incorporates nature-based solutions such as restoring and reconnecting old river channels for natural drainage and reinforcing riverbanks with mangroves and vegetation planting,” he pointed out.

Based on studies, the river basin communities in the identified areas are highly vulnerable to climate-related hazards, especially as climate change is expected to raise risks from extreme weather events.

“We need to lessen these risks and improve income and livelihood opportunities, especially for the poor and vulnerable, and only through proper implementation and sound management can we truly achieve resiliency through a whole-of-nation and -community approach in addressing and responding to the adverse effects of climate change and global warming,” Dela Cruz stressed.

“The same river infrastructure (to be constructed for adaptation and mitigation) should be coupled with a total water ecosystem approach that aside from putting concrete walls and dike reinforcement structures should include mangrove restoration and propagation as well as bamboo and tree-planting as part of the nature-based system prescribed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC),” he added.

In ending, the climate official underscored the importance of strengthening the country’s capacity to perform flood risk management planning through extensive training for government officials and all stakeholders, installing equipment for weather and river flow monitoring and early flood warning, as well as introducing an asset management information system.

(ai/mnm)