The Philippine Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology (PhilASST), in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology-National Capital Region (DOST-NCR) gathered experts from various national government agencies to discuss insights on building a climate-resilient and sustainable economy.

With the theme, “Facing Environmental Challenges and Climate Change in the Philippines’ Future: Actions in Line with PAGTANAW 2050,” the hybrid conference was held at the historic Heyden Hall of Manila Observatory.

PAGTANAW is the country’s Science, Technology and Information development blueprint developed by the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), which envisions a progressive, sustainable, and resilient Philippines.

Experts from the Climate Change Commission (CCC), Department of Science and Technology- Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS), and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) discussed how governments should take actions in addressing climate-related issues as the country consistently ranks high in terms of climate change impacts and disaster risk.

“Climate change is the governance challenge of our generation. It is global as it affects us all, no matter who or where we are. No country can stand alone in this crusade. And we must work together globally to find solutions. It is historic as it is the total of our omissions and commissions, not just of our generation but the generations before us,” Deputy Executive Director of CCC Romell Antonio Cuenca, said.

Cuenca highlighted in his talk the recently completed National Adaptation Plan (NAP) for 2023-2050, under the Marcos administration, which is crucial to steadily reduce climate-related loss and damage and build the country's adaptive capacity towards transformative resilience and sustainable economic development by 2050.

According to Cuenca, the NAP is a foundational document outlining the Philippines' roadmap to climate resilience with fit-for-purpose interventions determined through comprehensive science and evidence-based and beyond business-as-usual planning tools, all taking into consideration projected risks and scenarios from top-of-class modeling technologies.

“At its core, the NAP is anchored on risk management and the best available science and climate analytics, identifying eight key adaptation priorities and strategies to serve as an insightful reference point to support decision-making on adaptation actions at a localized level,” Cuenca said.

These adaptation priorities include, agriculture, fisheries, food security, water resources, health, ecosystems and biodiversity, cultural heritage, population displacement and migration, land use and human settlements, livelihoods and industries, energy, transport, and communications.

Moreover, aside from NAP, DENR Undersecretary for Integrated Environmental Science Usec. Carlos Primo C. David shared strategies for resource management and overcoming environmental challenges.

His talk revolved around unlocking and leveraging natural resources which are crucial for economic development, community progress, and environmental protections.

“What is really global warming when a person cannot even find the food that he will serve his family for tomorrow? What is sea level rise when the slightest rainfall or an active habagat, monsoon rains, will mean that my town will be flooded consequently? And therefore, what is climate change when I do not even have a sustainable, viable livelihood for my family to survive,” David said.

He added that there is a negative factor when looking at the equation for vulnerability because of climate change, which is the adaptive capacity of the person or the family.

“You reduce vulnerability if you have that adaptive capacity. And to me, what adaptive capacity means is that you have enough resources to feed for your family, to ensure that they are safe and well despite of climate change,” David said.

With that, he shared strategies in unlocking our natural resources like water. He said, first is to map out all these resources; create policies that will unlock these resources; improve the application and regulatory procedures; and insert important environmental sustainability and climate resilience strategies.

“If we change our mindset that water is a resource and not as a disadvantage to Filipinos because it creates flooding, traffic in Katipunan, damages our crops, and so on and so forth. But remember that it's the same water, even floodwaters, that we will use for our drinking water, irrigation, aquaculture, ecotourism, and even power generation,” David said.

He added that the five strategies presented for water resources are almost 100% complete.

On the other hand, while CCC is committed to translating the NAP into tangible actions, Cuenca said the success relies on the active participation of regions and local governments.

This initiative is one of the many collaborations and programs of the DOST aimed at providing science-based, innovative, and inclusive solutions across four strategic pillars: human well-being, wealth creation, wealth protection, and sustainability. These pillars embody the mantra OneDOST4U: Solutions, Opportunities for All. For more information, visit www.dost.gov.ph. (By Claire Bernadette A. Mondares, DOST-STII)

Deputy Executive Director of CCC Romell Antonio Cuenca presents overview of the National Adaptation Plan 2023-2050 at during the hybrid forum conducted by the PhilAAST, held at Heyden Hall of Manila Observatory on Augus 6, 2025. (Screengrab from the Facebook live stream of DOST-NCR)