Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  9288 
Introduced by HON. EDGAR M. CHATTO 
First District, Bohol 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
World Risk Index gave the Philippines an index score of 46.86 making it the 
number one most-disaster prone country in the world because of high risk, exposure, and 
vulnerability.1 Further, according to the Global Risks Report 2023 by the World Economic 
Forum, the top five (5) risks that the Philippines faced are (1) the natural disasters and 
extreme weather events; (2) debt crisis; (3) rapid and sustained inflation; (4) 
misinformation; and (5) geopolitical contestation of resources.2  
Furthermore, geographical location and physical characteristics of the Philippines 
contribute to its exposure to disasters. Annually, an average of twenty (20) typhoons enter 
the Philippine area of responsibility with the most intense between July and October.  The 
rains brought about by typhoons and the monsoon causes severe flooding, which is 
another hazard the country is facing.3 The main reason for these disasters is the climate 
change wherein the impacts are immense. 
In the Province of Bohol, there has been an increasing frequency and intensity of 
El Niño and La Niña which affect the agriculture sector, the degradation of marine 
environment, and the trees are uncontrollably being cut in upland communities that 
increase the risk of soil erosion.4 Moreover, there is the reported unusual rise in sea levels 
that impact the lives, livelihood, and the future of their island residents.  
In the islands off the towns of Calape, Tubigon, and other islands, sea levels have 
risen during high tides that have been recorded to reach nearly a meter from the usual 
tide marks a decade ago.5 
1 https://www.preventionweb.net/news/vulnerable-philippines-working-towards-climate-
adaptation#:~:text=The%20WRI%20report%20gave%20the,(Dela%20Pena%2C%202023). 
2 https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Global_Risks_Report_2023.pdf 
3 https://www.apn-gcr.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/4de42b9c9358d1d886fb0141319f342d.pdf 
4https://ppdo.bohol.gov.ph/BIAD_Proposals/BIAD3/BIAD%203%20Disaster%20Risk%20Management
%20PRoject.pdf 
5 https://pia.gov.ph/news/2021/07/20/chatto-to-bohol-lgus-declare-climate-change-emergency 
September 22, 2023
3:53 pm


Because the impacts of climate change are getting worse, the Province of Bohol 
have passed Provincial Ordinance No. 2023-010 creating the Committee on Climate 
Change as a regular standing committee of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. 
 
The local government units (LGUs) play a major role in promoting climate change 
adaptation, which must be considered an integral element of development and poverty 
reduction efforts. As such, LGUs must take proactive measures to assist people in coping 
with the impacts of climate change.  
 
In this regard, this bill is timely which seeks the creation of a standing Committee 
on Climate Change in every LGU, thus, amending Section 50 (b) (1) of Republic Act No. 
7160, otherwise known as the “Local Government Code of 1991”. This Committee is 
mandated, among others, to propose ordinances or resolutions which will address specific 
environmental concerns of the concerned LGU, recommend annual budgetary allocations 
on plans, projects, and activities for the protection and preservation of the environment, 
and coordinate with relevant government agencies, non-government organizations, civil 
society organizations, academe, and private sectors on environmental plans, projects, and 
programs. 
 
Considering that the impacts of climate change are mostly felt at the local level, the 
creation of this Committee in every LGU will lead to effective adaptation solutions tailored 
to a specific location. Additionally, there is a need to entrench local knowledge on 
adaptation measures and disaster risk reduction programs to make them more 
comprehensive and accurate to the needs of the LGUs. 
 
In light of the foregoing considerations, the passage of this bill is immediately 
sought. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
REP. EDGAR M. CHATTO 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  9288 
Introduced by HON. EDGAR M. CHATTO 
First District, Bohol 
“AN ACT  
MANDATING THE CREATION OF A COMMITTEE ON CLIMATE CHANGE 
FOR EVERY SANGGUNIAN” 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Committee on Climate 
Change”.  
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is declared the policy of the State to protect 
and advance the right of every Filipino to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with 
the rhythm and harmony of nature. Considering the importance of sectoral concerns in 
loal legislations, the State shall mandate each local government unit to create a localized 
Committee on Climate Change which will address legislation related to the restoration and 
rehabilitation of ecosystems, environmental protection concerns, climate change 
mitigation and adaptation, and disaster risk reduction programs. 
SEC. 3. Scope. – All matters directly and principally relating to policies, 
programs, strategies, practices, technologies, and innovation addressing climate change 
causes and impacts, including but not limited, to avoidance and reduction of greenhouse 
gas emissions, climate risk management to enhance adaptive capacity and reduce 
vulnerability to climate risks, all matters relating to adaptation and mitigation to enhance 
resilience, promotion of sustainable development including disciplines like disaster 
management, disaster mitigation, disaster risk reduction and disaster preparedness in the 
province, city, or municipality, and related issues and concerns, shall be within the scope 
of the Committee on Climate Change. 
SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act: 
a.
Adaptation refers to the adjustment in natural or human systems in response
to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm
or exploits beneficial opportunities;


b. 
Climate Change refers to a change of climate which is attributed directly or 
indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of global atmosphere 
and which is in addition to natural climate variability observed over 
comparable time periods;  
 
c. 
Disaster risk reduction refers to refers to the concept and practice of reducing 
disaster risks through systematic efforts to analyze and manage the causal 
factors of disasters, through reduced exposure to hazards, lessened 
vulnerability of people and property, wise management of land and the 
environment, and improved preparedness for adverse events; 
 
d. 
Mitigation, in the context of climate change, refers to human intervention to 
address anthropogenic emissions by sources and removals by sinks of all 
greenhouse gases, including ozone-depleting substances and their substitutes. 
 
SEC. 5. Creation and Composition of the Committee. – In addition to the 
standing committees provided in Section 50 (b) (1) of Republic Act No. 7160, or the “Local 
Government Code of 1991, a Committee on Climate Change, which shall be an 
independent committee, shall be established in every province, city, or municipality.  
 
The Committee on Climate Change shall be composed of one (1) chairperson, one 
(1) vice-chairperson, and at least one (1) member. The chairperson and vice chairperson 
shall be elected by a majority votes of the members. 
 
SEC. 6. Powers and Functions of the Committee. – The Committee on 
Climate Change shall exercise and perform the following powers and functions: 
 
a. 
Propose ordinances or resolutions which address specific environmental 
concerns of the province, city, or municipality, including but not limited to 
climate change mitigation and adaptation, climate risks, effects of extreme 
weather, and disaster risk reduction; 
 
b. 
Recommend to the Sanggunian concerned annual budgetary allocations and 
plans, projects, and activities for the protection and preservation of the 
environment and all matter concerning, but not limited to, climate change 
mitigation and adaptation, and disaster risk reduction; and 
 
c. 
Coordinate with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources 
(DENR) and other relevant government agencies, non-government 
organizations, civil society organizations, academe, and private sectors on 
environmental plans, projects, and programs. 
 
Such other powers and functions as may be necessary and incidental for the 
performance of their mandate. 
 


SEC. 7. Meetings and Quorum.  – In accordance with Sections 52 and 53 of 
R.A. No. 7160,  the Committee shall meet at least once a week or as often as may be 
necessary. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum.  
 
SEC. 8. Compensation and Remuneration – The chairman, vice- chairman, 
and members of the provincial, city or municipal Committee on Climate Change shall 
perform their duties without additional compensation or remuneration.  
 
SEC. 9. Separability Clause. – If any of the sections or provisions of this Act 
is held invalid, all other  provisions not affected thereby shall remain valid. 
 
SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. – All other laws, decrees, orders, resolutions, 
instructions, rules and regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof which are 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed, amended, or modified 
accordingly. 
 
SEC. 11. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
 
Approved,