A strong grasp of climate science is crucial to formulate effective climate policies and strategies that will address the complex challenges posed by climate change.
At the recent Mindanao Development Forum held in Davao City, panelists in a discussion on “Planet: Enhancing Resilience and Sustainable Development of the Mindanao River Basin” underscored the importance of popularizing science among policymakers, local chief executives, and other stakeholders, particularly at the grassroots level. “Planet” is one of the five thematic sessions, along with “People,” “Prosperity,” “Partnerships,” and “Peace,” during the forum organized by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA).
Secretary Robert E. A. Borje, Vice Chairperson and Executive Director of the Climate Change Commission (CCC), emphasized the need for a science-based, data-driven approach to better understand and address climate change issues. This includes the necessity for more granular projections and updated frameworks to align with the current climate situation.
“We can review historical records and data that we have, but we certainly need to work on a range of probabilities and projections to assess climate change risks and create strategies to manage and reduce the impacts of these risks,” he stated.
Borje cited the formulation and implementation of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and the Nationally Determined Contributions Implementation Plan (NDCIP) as examples of a science-backed, evidence-based approach used to outline the country’s transformative climate action goals.
The NAP, developed under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., serves as a guide for adaptation strategies, which focuses on addressing the impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities. The Philippines is the third ASEAN country and the 56th in the world to submit its NAP to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
The NDCIP, on the other hand, aims for a 75 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and outlines key actions across various sectors, including transport, energy, waste, industry, and agriculture.
“Understanding the science behind initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance resilience can lead to more effective climate actions and adaptation strategies. Scientific findings offer reliable insights to make informed decisions,” said Borje as he acknowledged that outside the scientific and academic community, there is a general sense of aversion towards science.
Another panelist, Dr. Hilly Ann Roa-Quiaoit, a professor at the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology and an expert on marine biology, shared insights on the need to support government efforts, particularly among local government units (LGUs), by providing scientific knowledge for ecological protection, climate resilience, and disaster prevention.
“While LGUs have the power to implement policies, they sometimes lack the necessary knowledge. The academe and technical agencies can help popularize scientific findings which are vital for informing policy and practice,” she emphasized.
Specific to the Mindanao River Basin (MRB), panel discussions highlighted the risk of the basin’s collapse and the flooding issues that require scientific and engineering solutions to manage water resources and prevent disasters.
The MRB is the second-largest river basin in the Philippines, covering 21,503 square kilometers, around 7.21 percent of the country’s total land area and 22.04 percent of Mindanao. It encompasses 163 municipalities across four regions.
The basin, which supports a diverse wetland ecosystem crucial for the development of Mindanao, is particularly susceptible to various natural hazards such as flooding, landslides, earthquakes, drought, typhoons, and soil erosion. Its strategic location and role as a water source for around 6.4 million people – almost a quarter of Mindanao’s 26.1 million population – underscore the importance of sustainable water management and ecological conservation to prevent further damage to both ecosystem and inhabitants.
Cardinal Orlando Quevedo, chairperson of the Mindanao River Basin Management Council, said frequent flooding has turned fertile lands, once abundant with crops, into “ghost towns,” highlighting its impacts on agriculture – a critical area for food security and land management.
He said that heavy siltation has worsened flooding conditions, making riverbeds shallow and causing overflows during heavy rains. For instance, Cardinal Quevedo noted that siltation at Cotabato City Wharf affects water levels, which prevents cargo and passenger vessels from docking, impacting economic activities.
He also emphasized that responsible resource management and development of the basin will enhance its role in supporting life, providing ecological balance, and ensuring sustainable use of natural resources.
For his part, Dr. Romulo Tagalo, Senior Policy Advocacy Officer of Oxfam Philippines, reiterated that the term “natural disaster” no longer fits the present-day context. He emphasized that disasters are now influenced, if not directly caused, by human actions and systemic factors, a concept which began to gain prominence in the early 2000s. This shift in understanding, developed by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), was formalized through the Hyogo Framework for Action (2005-2015) and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030).
Another panelist, Director Jose Harry Barber of the Office of Civil Defense, pointed out the importance of collaboration between and among national and local government agencies, academe, regional and international development organizations, civil societies and private organizations.
“Sustainable development and community engagement are crucial to address environmental challenges scientifically and systematically,” he said.
The CCC reaffirms its dedication to advance climate science for evidence-based decision-making and foster a more informed and engaged citizenry in our collective efforts to achieve the Philippines’ climate resilience and sustainability goals.
For more information on the CCC’s climate mainstreaming activities, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.
