‘Climate resilience’ approach to develop Mindanao crafted

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna, Philippines – A “climate resilience and green growth approach” to develop Mindanao has been crafted. 

The Davao Oriental component of the Mindanao initiative was presented and discussed at a conference held May 9-10 at the Grand Regal Hotel in Davao City. 

The forum was billed “Conference on Climate Resilience and Green Growth in Mindanao: Road Map to Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Development.” It was supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction-funded project titled “Climate Resilience and Green Growth in Critical Watersheds.”

The project was implemented by the Philippine Climate Change Commission (CCC) and commissioned to a consortium composed of the Philippine government-hosted Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) as lead organization, CTI Engineering Japan, Woodfields Consultancies Inc. and ERGONS Project Management. 

Other conference participants included the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and climate change and environment specialists from Mindanao as well as from Metro Manila, Rizal and Camarines Sur.

During the conference, the participants hammered out a joint statement calling for the adoption of the climate resilience and green growth approach to develop the southern Philippines. 

CCC commissioner Noel Gaerlan read the joint declaration. Other speakers were ADB principal climate change specialist Ancha Srinivasan, SEARCA director Gil Saguiguit Jr. and a representative of MinDA secretary Abdul Khayr Dangcal Alonto. 

The project institutional participants agreed to “pursue holistic and integrated climate resilience and green growth road map, based on principles of ecosystem based on development planning, environmental protection, utilization of green and indigenous technology.”

They will also undertake adaptive infrastructure development, with consideration for women, children, indigenous peoples and other marginalized communities. Livelihood options and green jobs will also be created to uplift the lives of Mindanaoans in particular, and the country in general.