DENR taps USAID on climate change response
We want to make sure that we are aligned with your priorities so that we could support and know we’re going in the right direction
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has tapped the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to further mitigate the effects of climate change in the country.
Last week, US Charge d’Affaires Heather Variava, USAID Mission Director to the Philippines Ryan Washburn, and USAID Philippines Environment Office Chief John Edgar paid a courtesy visit on DENR Acting Secretary Jim Sampulna in acknowledgment of the longtime partnership between USAID and DENR.
DENR and USAID are planning to come up with more activities for the other priority programs of the DENR, including the rehabilitation of Manila Bay, illegal wildlife trade, marine litter and climate change.
“We want to make sure that we are aligned with your priorities so that we could support and know we’re going in the right direction,” Washburn said. He also mentioned the Climate Resilient Cities project, which is the latest USAID project that aims to help the Philippines adapt to, mitigate and endure the impacts of climate change.
Currently, the National Water Resources Board is implementing the Safe Water project as DENR’s focal agency, among three regional offices in Palawan, Negros Occidental and Mindanao.
Meanwhile, DENR-Biodiversity Management Bureau’s SIBOL project team recently worked on the Siargao seascape, which was badly hit by typhoon “Odette” in December 2021.
USAID provides technical assistance to the projects, with the Safe Water initiative aiming to improve the sustainable management of the country’s water resources, and SIBOL on reducing environmental crimes and improving water security.
Former DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu signed a five-year partnership with USAID for SIBOL and Safe Water programs on 27 May 2021. These projects are under the P7.25 billion USAID-Philippines agreement on enhanced and community resilience signed by the National Economic and Development Authority and USAID in February 2021.