MAINSTREAMING INTEGRATED CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION AND DISASTER RISK REDUCTION IN LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS IN THE PHILIPPINES

 Ebinezer R. Florano, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

National College of Public Administration and Governance

University of the Philippines

Abstract

This chapter illustrates how the two conceptually distinct climate change adaptation (CCA) and disaster risk reduction (DRR) are mainstreamed in the development plans of local government units in the Philippines using integrated frameworks for vulnerability analysis and the development of climate-resilient local Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) and Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) prescribed by the national government. The integration of CCA and DRR in the Philippines came after the failure of the passive disaster management, utilized since 1954, to prepare and response to disasters caused by extreme weather events of climate change. Using the case study approach, this chapter narrates how disaster-prone Sorsogon City was able to incorporate CCA and DRR measures and strategies in its CLUP and CDP.

(The paper is published as a book chapter in the online version of the Handbook of Climate Change Adaptation © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 2013. Available for viewing at
http://www.springerreference.com/docs/html/chapterdbid/367559.html

Also presented in Panel 1 – “Theories of Public Administration” of the World Conference for Public Administration with the theme, “Public Administration and Happiness: Policy Management and Politics from the Global Perspectives.” Organized by the Korean Association for Public Administration. 25-27 June 2014, Daegu Exhibition & Convention (EXCO), South Korea.)

Local Leadership in Disaster Management: The Philippine Setting

Leadership approach can be a crucial factor for climate change adaptation/disaster risk reduction (CCA/DRR). Perhaps, leadership failed during the recent disaster that hit southern Mindanao early in December 2012. Many were killed, injured, gone missing. The "star paper" of Mr. Emil Rex Santos, a master's degree student of the University of the Philippines-National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG), may offer explanations and provide guideposts for local leaders in CCA/DRR.

Title: "Local Leadership in Disaster Management: The Philippine Setting"

Abstract:

The Philippines, situated in a disaster-prone region and in a highly seismic area along the Pacific Ring of Fire, is visited by at least 20 typhoons a year, and home to 300 volcanoes, 22 of which are active which necessitates the need or adoption of a disaster risk reduction management plan.  Such a plan entails action not just by national leaders, but more importantly by local actors.  The author proposes the utilization of a Disaster Management Cycle that incorporates leadership types that were culled from case studies in the Philippine setting.  He suggests that specific leadership types (i.e. strategic, charismatic, transformational, collaborative, emergent, situational and meta-leadership) be considered in the various phases of a holistic disaster management program at the local level.

To read the paper, e-mail the author at rexsantos95@yahoo.com for a copy or visit the library of UP-NCPAG. 

RESILIENT CITIES-How Are They Made?: The Case of Dagupan City AVP 1/2

RESILIENT CITIES-How Are They Made?: The Case of Dagupan City AVP 2/2

Over 101 Ways to Adapt to Climate Change

March 22, 2012

Source: http://www.fnf.org.ph/news/over-101-ways-to-adapt-to-climate-change.htm



A total of 124 entries were submitted to acCLICKmatize, a photo contest on adaptive measures on climate change organized by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF).

Dr. Neric Acosta, Secretary-General of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD); Rep. Mel Sarmiento, Member of the House Committee on Ecology; Dr. Ebinezer Florano, Assistant Professor of Environmental Governance in the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP NCPAG); and Ms. Kenny Lynn Tai, Faculty Member of the School of Design and Arts of the College of St. Benilde compose the jury that will select the top three entries. The photos will be presented at the conference on Changing the Climate Towards Good Governance on 27 March 2012 at Mind Museum, Taguig City.

The contest was open to amateur and professional photographers nationwide. Some of the photos highlight alternative energy source, disaster response, and citizens’ participation in risk management efforts.

UP-NCPAG’s Center for Local and Regional Governance conducts “Seminar-Workshop for Crafting Climate Change Adaptation Measures and Strategies”

The Center for Local and Regional Governance (CLRG) conducted its first “Seminar-Workshop for Crafting Climate Change Adaptation Measures and Strategies” on 18-22 July 2011 at the Audio-Visual Room of the National College of Public Administration and Governance Building, University of the Philippines in Diliman Quezon City.

Twenty participants attended the workshop. They are mostly provincial/city/municipal legislators, vice-mayors, and technical staff from San Mariano, Isabela; Sorsogon City, Sorsogon; Pili and Libmanan, Camarines Sur; Surigao del Norte; Pulilan and San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan; San Francisco, Southern Leyte; Quezon, Palawan; and First District, Manila.

The objective of the seminar-workshop was to enable the participants to formulate climate change adaptation (CCA) measures and strategies and eventually integrate them into their local development plans. Dr. Ebinezer R. Florano assisted the CLRG in designing the objectives, contents, and schedule of the seminar-workshop; and provided reading materials. He also lectured on climate change governance frameworks (international and national), CCA measures and strategies formulation and prioritization, and mainstreaming CCA into local development plans++.

Government officials, technical experts, environmentalists, and academicians from the following institutions provided lectures and guided the participants in crafting their CCA plans: Climate Change Commission, PAG-ASA, National Defense College of the Philippines, Conservation International, Transcend, UP School of Urban and Regional Planning, and UP-NCPAG. Former Southern Leyte Governor Rosette Lerias and former Opol Mayor Dixon Yasay shared their experiences in climate change adaptation after tragedies struck their LGUs. Gov. Lerias showed a video of the Guinsaugon landslide which occurred in 2006. The video documentary moved some participants to tears, but they were also inspired by the rehabilitation efforts the governor made.

The CLRG will conduct another seminar-workshop in September 2011. For registration details, contact Ms. Cely Jamig, training coordinator, at 928-3914, 925-7422, or 981-8500 local 4175.