FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIF'PINES 
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Second Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
As the world moves forward to address the pressing issue of climate change, the 
Philippines must be able to perform its responsibility to cooperate in a spirit of global 
partnership to conserve, protect and restore the health and integrity of Earth's ecosystem. 
As a signatory to the United Nations Framework on Climate Change Convention, it aims 
to formulate policies and implement realistic programs to contribute in the effort to 
reduce and stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that 
would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system in order to 
ensure that food production is not threatened and to enable economic development to 
proceed in a sustainable manner. 
Towards this end, the State, through this bill, mandates the formulation of the 
cornerstone policy on climate change to be called as Framework Program on Climate 
Change (FPCC) which shall be implemented through the National Climate Change 
Action Plan (NCCAP) and the Local Government Climate Change Action Plans 
(LGCCAP) of the national government agencies and local government units respectively. 
In so doing, it hopes to ensure the mainstreaming of climate change concerns at the 
national, regional, sub-regional and local levels. 
The focal office to ensure the achievement of the said objectives is a high level 
body called as the Climate Change Commission (CCC), which shall be chaired by 
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President and composed of appropriate heads of cabinet departments and representatives 
from the private sector. The primary functions of the CCC is to serve as policy-making, 
coordinating and evaluating body for the implementation of programs and actions of the 
government relating to climate change. 
The CCC shall steer the directions of the government agencies and the private 
sector towards the achievement of the common policy goal as set in the FPCC. It will not 
duplicate functions inherent to the cabinet departments who are more equipped with the 
proper legal mandate, personnel and resources to implement projects. It will instead 
provide the enabling environment for fostering teamwork among government agencies 
and the stakeholders concerned and with teamwork, the implementation of projects 
addressing climate change concerns by concerned cabinet departments will be more 
focused and synchronized. 
d I R I A M  DEFENSOR SANTIAGO 
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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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Second Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
MAINSTREAMING CLIMATE CHANGE INTO 
GOVERNMENT POLICY FORMULATIONS, CREATING FOR THIS 
PURPOSE THE CLIMATE CHANGE COMMISSION 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Climate Change Act of 
2009.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. -It is the policy of the State to: 
(1) Afford full protection and the advancement of the right of the people to a 
healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. 
(2) Cooperate in a spirit of global partnership to conserve, protect and restore the 
health and integrity of Earth’s ecosystem. In this light, the State recognizes its 
responsibility under the United Nations Framework on Climate Change 
Convention to contribute in the effort to reduce and stabilize greenhouse gas 
concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous 
anthropogenic interference with the climate system in order to ensure that food 
production is not threatened and to enable economic development to proceed in 
a sustainable mannei 
(3) Systematically integrate the concept of climate change in various phases of 
policy formulation, development plans, poverty reduction strategies and other 
development tools and techniques by all agencies and instrumentalities of the 
government. 
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(4) Facilitate and encourage public awareness and participation by making 
information on climate change widely available. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following shall 
have the corresponding meanings: 
(a) “Climate Change” shall refer to a change in climate that can be identified by 
changes in the mean and/or variability of its properties and that persists for an 
extended period typically decades or longer, whether due to natural variability or 
as a result of human activity; 
b) “Global Warming” shall refer to the increase in the average temperature of the 
Earth’s near-surface air and oceans that is associated with the increased 
concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere; 
c) “Greenhouse effect” shall refer to the process by which the absorption of 
infiared radiation by the atmosphere warms the Earth; 
d) “Greenhouse gases or GHG” shall refer to constituents of the atmosphere that 
contribute to the greenhouse effect including, but not limited to, carbon dioxide, 
methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur 
hexafluoride; 
e) “Mainstreaming” shall refer to the end to bring adjustments to ecological, 
social or economic systems in response to expected climate change impacts to 
ensure that food production is not threatened and to enable economic 
development to proceed in a sustainable manner; 
SECTION 4. Framework Program on Climate Change - The Framework 
Program on Climate Change (FPCC) shall be established to serve as a primary basis for 
climate change planning, research and development, extension, and monitoring in the 
country. It shall be formulated by the Commission, in consultation with relevant 
government agencies. The Commission shall, within six (6) months from the effectivity 
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of this Act, formulate the NFCC and thereafter, conduct its regular review to address 
emerging issues related to climate change. 
SECTION 5. National Climate Change Action Plan. Consistent with the FPCC, 
the Commission, National Government Agencies, local government units, in cooperation 
with relevant stakeholders, shall formulate a National Climate Change Action Plan 
(NCCAP) which shall include the following: 
a) 
Identification of the most vulnerable communities / areas, including 
ecosystems to the impacts of climate change, variability and extremes; 
b) 
Assessment and management of risk and vulnerability; and 
c) 
Identification of options, prioritization, selection and implementation of 
appropriate responses for adoption as joint undertaking by both the national 
and local governments 
SECTION 6. Climate Change Commission. - The Climate Change Commission 
(CCC) is hereby created under the Office of the President to serve as policy-making, 
coordinating and evaluating body for the implementation of programs and actions of the 
government relating to climate change, such as FPCC and NCCAP. 
SECTION 7. Composition of the Commission. -The President of the Republic of 
the Philippines shall serve as the Chairperson of the Climate Change Commission. 
The Commission shall be composed of the following members, in their ex-officio 
capacity: the Secretaries of the Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy, 
Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of the Interior and Local 
Government, Department of Science and Technology, the Director-General of the 
National Economic and Development Authority in his capacity as Chair of the Philippine 
Council for Sustainable Development, Department of National Defense in his capacity as 
Chair of the National Disaster Coordinating Council, the Presidents of the League of 
Provinces, League of Cities, League of Municipalities and the Liga ng mga Barangay. 
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There shall also be a representative each from the academe, the business sector, non- 
government organizations and civil society. Representatives from the private sector 
shall be appointed by the President from a list of nominees submitted by their respective 
groups within thirty (30) days from the submission of the list. They shall serve for a term 
of six years (6) years without re-appointment. Appointment to any vacancy shall be only 
for the unexpired term of the predecessor. 
The Commission shall meet once every three (3) months, or as often as may be 
necessary upon the decision of the Chairperson who may likewise call upon other 
government agencies for the proper implementation of this Act. 
SECTION 8. Climate Change Ofice -The Commission shall be assisted by a 
Secretariat to be known as Climate Change Office headed by an Executive Director to be 
appointed by the President with the rank of Cabinet Secretary. The Commission shall 
have the authority to create offices, determine number of staff and creation of 
corresponding positions necessary to facilitate the proper implementation of this Act 
subject to Civil Service rules and regulations and to availability of funds. 
The staff, 
officers and employees of the Commission shall be appointed by the Executive Director 
in accordance with Civil Service rules and regulations. 
SECTION 9. Panel of Technical Advisers. - The Commission shall also be 
assisted by an advisory body to be named as Panel of Technical Advisers (PTA). The 
PTA shall be composed of scientists, experts and other members to chosen by the 
Commission. 
SECTION 10. Powers and Functions of the Cornmission. - The Commission shall 
have the following powers and functions: 
a. Formulate a Framework Program on Climate Change to serve as the basis €or 
climate change planning, research and development, extension, and 
monitoring; 
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sub-regional and local levels 
b. Ensure mainstreaming of climate change concerns by incorporating the 
Framework Program on Climate Change at the sectoral, national, regional, 
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c. Coordinate and synchronize climate change programs of national government 
agencies; 
d. Exercise policy oversight responsibilities to ensure the attainment of goals set 
in the Framework Program on Climate Change; 
e. Strengthen local government units to more effectively address climate change 
related issues. and 
f. Recommend legislation, policies, programs on and appropriations for climate 
change adaptation, mitigation and other related activities; 
g. Create an enabling environment for the design of relevant and appropriate 
risk-sharing md risk-transfer instruments; 
SECTION 11. Role of Government Agencies - To ensure the effective 
implementation of the FPCC, concerned agencies shall perform the following functions 
a. The Department of Education (DEPED) shall integrate climate change into the 
primary and secondary education cnrricula and/or subjects, such as, but not 
limited to, Science, Biology, Sibika, History, including textbooks, primers and 
other educational materials, basic climate change principles and concepts. 
b. The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Local 
Government Academy shall facilitate the development and provision of a 
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training program for LGUs in climate change. The training program shall 
include socio-economic, geophysical, policy, and other content necessary to 
address to address the prevailing and forecasted conditions and risks of 
particular LGUs. Further, the DILG shall facilitate capacity building of local 
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communities in relation to local adaptation planning, implementation and 
monitoring of climate initiatives in vulnerable communities and areas; 
c. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) shall oversee 
the establishment and maintenance of a climate change information 
management system and network, in collaboration with other concerned 
national government agencies, institutions and LGUs. Further, the DENR 
shall formulate guidelines for determining vulnerability to climate change 
impacts and adaptation assessments and facilitate the provision of technical 
assistance for their implementation and monitoring; 
d. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) shall support scientific 
researches and other similar projects relevant to the formulation and 
development of programs geared towards adaptation and risk mitigation by 
local communities; and 
e. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) shall review international 
agreements related 
to 
climate change and 
make 
the necessary 
recommendation for ratification and compliance by the government on 
matters pertaining thereto, 
f. The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) shall disseminate information on 
climate change, local vulnerabilities and risk, relevant laws and protocols and 
adaptation and mitigation measures. 
g. The government financial institutions such as the Development Bank of the 
Philippines (DBP, Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), Philippine Exim Bank 
and other government financial institutions shall, to the extent allowed by the 
enabling provisions of their respective charters or applicable laws, provide 
preferential financial packages for climate change related projects. 
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SECTION 12. Role of Local Government Units. - Consistent with the pertinent 
provisions of the Republic Act No. 7160, the FPCC and the NCCAP, all local 
government units are mandated to serve as the frontline agencies in the formulation, 
planning and implementation of local climate change action plans in their respective 
areas. As such, all local government units shall, upon consultation with relevant 
stakeholders, develop and implement a Local Action Plans on Climate Change (LAPCC) 
at the provincial, city and municipal levels within six (6) months from effectivity of this 
Act. The local plans shall also be regularly updated to address the changing social, 
economic, and environmental conditions and emerging issues. All LAPCCs and its 
corresponding revisions must be submitted to the Commission within a month from its 
approval. 
In formulating and implementing the LAPCC, the local government officials of 
the Baranggay, Municipality, City and the Province are directed collaborate, coordinate 
and cooperate with each other. As such, LGUs are directed to mobilize and allocate 
necessary personnel and resources to effectively implement their respective action plans. 
SECTION 13. Roles of the Civil Society and the Corporate and Private Sectors. - 
In the development and implementation of the NCCAP, and the local action plans, the 
NGOs, civic organizations, academe, people’s organizations, the private and corporate 
sectors and other concerned stakeholder groups shall be engaged in activities such as 
planning, community organizing, research, technology, transfer, information sharing, 
investment and training programs. 
SECTION 14. Authority to Receive Donations and/or Grunts. - In accordance 
with relevant laws, the Commission shall be authorized to receive donations from local 
and international sources in support of the development and implementation of climate 
change programs and plans. Proceeds from such donations shall be used to finance: 
a. 
Research, development, demonstration and promotion of technologies; 
b. 
resource inventory, and adaptation capability building; 
Conduct of assessment of vulnerabilities to climate change impacts, 
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information campaign; and 
c. 
Advocacy, networking and communication activities in the conduct of 
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d. 
objectives of this Act, as may be defined by the Commission. 
Conduct of such other activities reasonably necessary to carry out the 
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SECTION 15. 
Funding Allocation for Climate Change. - All relevant 
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government agencies and local government units shall allocate from their annual 
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appropriations adequate funds for the formulation, development and implementation, 
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including training, capacity building and direct intervention, of their respective climate 
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change programs and plans. In subsequent budget proposals, the concerned offices and 
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units shall appropriate funds for program/project development and implementation 
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including continuing training and education in climate change. 
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SECTION. 16. Membership in the National Security Council. - The Executive 
Director of the Secretariat shall automatically be a member of the National Security 
Council and shall report directly to the President of the Philippines regarding sensitive 
information on climate change. 
SECTION 17. Transitoty Provision - Upon the organization of the Commission, 
the Presidential Task Force on Climate Change and the Inter-Agency Committee on 
Climate Change shall be abolished. 
SECTION 18. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within three months (3) 
from effectivity of the Act, the Commission, in consultation with the Congressional 
Oversight Committees relevant government agencies, local government units, private 
sector, NGOs and civil society, promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of 
this Act. Provided, That failure to issue rules and regulations shall not in any manner 
affect the executory nature of the provisions of this Act. 
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SECTION 19. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee. - There is hereby 
created a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee to monitor the implementation of this 
Act. The Oversight Committee shall be composed of five (5) Senators and five (5) 
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Representatives to be appointed by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of 
Representatives, respectively. The Oversight Committee shall be co-chaired by a Senator 
and a Representative to be designated by the Senate President and the Speaker of the 
House of Representatives, respectively. Its funding requirement shall be charged against 
the appropriations of Congress. 
SECTION 20, Appropriations. - The sum of Fifty Million Pesos (PhP 50,000, 
000) is hereby appropriated as initial operating fund in addition to the unutilized fund of 
the Presidential task Force on Climate Change. The sum shall be sourced from the 
President’s Contingent Fund. Thereafter, such sums as shall be necessary for the 
operation and maintenance of the Commission shall be included in the annual General 
Appropriations Act. 
SECTION. 2 1. Annual Report. - The Commission shall submit to the President 
and to both Houses of Congress, no later than March 30 of every year following the 
effectivity of this Act, or upon the request of the Congressional Oversight Committee, a 
report giving a detailed account of the status of the implementation of this Act, a progress 
report on the implementation of the National Climate Change Action Plan and 
recommend legislation, where applicable and necessary. Local government units shall 
submit annual progress reports on the implementation of their respective local action plan 
to the Commission within the first quarter ofthe following year. 
SECTION 22. Separability Clause - If for any reason any section or provision of 
this Act is declared as unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions thereof 
shall not be affected thereby. 
SECTION 23. Repealiiig Clause.- All laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, and 
other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed 
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or modifie accordingly. 
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circulation. 
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Approved, 
SECTION 24. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect upon its complete 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general 
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