TACLOBAN CITY- The city government of Borongan received P118.88 million from the national government to fund the rehabilitation of one of its major rivers as part of its climate change adaptation.
City Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda personally received the financial assistance from Pres. Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on Wednesday (Nov.29) in a ceremony in Malacañang.
The money would be used by the city government to construct a tide embankment at the Lo-om River as a flood control measure and at the same time, conduct reforestation of mangroves at the said river, the Borongan City Information Office disclosed.
Lo-om River is one of the major waterways of Borongan spanning eight kilometers and covering the villages of Barangays B, Alangalang, D1, D2, Tabok, F, H, Campisao, Calicoan, Siha, San Jose, and San Gabriel.
It was learned that the source of fund of the assistance was from the People’s Survival Fund (PSF).
The PSF, established under Republic Act 10174, aimed at extending funds to local government units for their implementation of climate change adaptation projects.
“Before the release of the fund, the city’s proposal to rehabilitate and improve the Lo-om River underwent a series of assessments with the PSF board secretariat and its board member agencies to ensure that the project adheres to the climate-responsive standards set by the PSF,” the information office said.
Meantime, the Climate Change Commission (CCC) lauds the approval of additional climate adaptation projects under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. through the People’s Survival Fund (PSF).
The commission said that this is a “demonstration of leadership in transformative climate action via a dedicated public domestic climate finance mechanism.”
The allocation of over P541 million for six new climate adaptation initiatives signifies the Marcos administration’s commitment to proactive governance and strengthening the nation’s adaptive capacity against climate change, the CCC said in a statement on Friday(Nov.30).
“The PSF and the projects it funds will serve as a safeguard as we adapt to climate change and mitigate its effects. We can proudly say that the Philippines is a trailblazer in domestic climate finance for adaptation, showcasing our nation’s commitment to global environmental responsibility,” it said.
“The approval of these projects sends a powerful message that the Marcos Administration can mobilize critical domestic resources to advance adaptation measures at the local and community levels, especially at a time when risks and challenges posed by climate change demand immediate and urgent actions,” said CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert Eric E.A Borje.
The new projects include a P271.15 million grant for the Provincial Government of Mountain Province to construct a Climate Field School (CFS), aiming to boost agricultural and fisheries sectors.
The municipality of Maramag, Bukidnon, secured P126.40 million for drainage systems and agroforestry development, while Borongan City received P117.96 million for embankment infrastructure and reforestation along the Lo-om River.
Other approved projects include a solar-powered lamp project in Cabagan, Isabela (P21.28 million), mangrove rehabilitation in Catanauan, Quezon at P 2.64 million and a project development grant worth P2 million has been recently approved for the water harvesting structures project in Besao, Mountain Province.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA/JOEY A. GABIETA)
