The Climate Change Commission (CCC) applauded the provincial government of Pangasinan for its comprehensive climate resilience strategies and integrated approach to environmental sustainability, disaster preparedness, and risk reduction.
In a news release on Tuesday, the CCC said Pangasinan’s 100 percent compliance with the Local Climate Change Action Plan (LCCAP) enables all 48 of its local government units (LGUs) to implement localized climate initiatives tailored to address their specific needs.
The People’s Survival Fund (PSF), meanwhile, was introduced as a key financial mechanism to support these projects.
“Pangasinan’s commitment to disaster risk preparedness is commendable, as reflected in its 100 percent LCCAP submission. When we talk about hazards, exposure, vulnerability, and capacity, we must see them not just as challenges but as part of a strategic game plan—an investment in community resilience. This is exactly what we witness here in Pangasinan,” CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje said.
Through a series of engagements with provincial government officials and local communities, the CCC recognized the province’s commitment to climate change adaptation and mitigation (CCAM) which highlights innovative programs designed to protect communities and natural ecosystems.
Leading these efforts are Project PARAAN, (pioneering safety, assessing vulnerabilities, risk management, addressing hazards, achieving resilience, and navigating challenges) to increase preparedness specifically for a tsunami, and the Green Canopy Project, which aims to plant one million trees.
Meanwhile, the province is also advancing ecological conservation through the planned Eztanza Native Tree Nursery and Project Kasilyas, further strengthening its climate resilience framework.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) also showcased its 24/7 Operations Center with its robust early warning systems that aim to address vulnerabilities to fluvial and pluvial flooding with data-driven decision-making.
The center integrates risk information from the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAGASA), the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) to enhance disaster response.
The CCC also explored the Bued Mangrove Propagation and Information Center in Alaminos, which is home to diverse mangrove species such as Rhizophora, Avicennia, and Sonneratia.
Local eco-guides detailed the critical role of mangroves in carbon sequestration and coastal protection.
Meanwhile, Alaminos City’s ridge-to-reef conservation strategy, which links forestry management, watershed protection, and coastal rehabilitation, was recognized as a model for environmental sustainability.
The CCC reaffirmed its commitment to working with LGUs like Pangasinan while emphasizing that localized, science-based climate solutions are key to protecting communities from the escalating impacts of climate change.
“The challenge for us Filipinos is to dream bigger, aim higher, and aspire for a better future. But beyond excellence, we must commit to the quiet, unseen work—the daily acts of diligence and integrity—that, over time, will build a stronger, more resilient nation,” Borje said. (PNA)
