Over the years, the Philippines has significantly overhauled its climate policy framework, from a number of stand-alone laws passed during 1997-2008, to the current comprehensive, nationally integrated climate policy architecture guided by the 2009 Climate Change Act (CCA).
The CCA calls for the systematic integration of climate change in various phases of policy formulation, development plans, poverty reduction strategies, and other development tools used by all government agencies and departments. It also led to the establishment of the Philippines Climate Change Commission (CCC) for coordinating policy integration. Subsequently, the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) strategically established the Philippines’ first long-term climate agenda from 2011–2028, divided into three six-year phases. The duration of these phases coincides with the terms of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) and the Philippines’ electoral and planning cycles.
The Philippines is a good example of political leadership and long-term vision for comprehensive and integrated climate policy demonstrated through: (a) the fact that the origins of climate policy initiatives are rooted in the national democratic movement which led to change in the political structure of the country; (b) substantial budgetary support despite financial constraints; and (c) the proactive approach to consult and take help in both improving the policies as well as implementing them from international agencies.
