Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

House Bill No._1'711

Introduced by Honorable MARIA ISABELLE G, CLIMACO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Climate change is one of the most urgent issues that require effective national and local
response not only by the government, environmental groups and private sector, but most of all,
the youth as inheritor of the future generation. The youth is identified as one of the most
vulnerable sector to the impact of climate change. Thus, the youth needs to play a major role in
raising awareness and promoting sustainable solutions to the problem of climate change.

‘The importance of youth participation, having a climate change action plan and defining
the role of the youth in the fight against climate change should be top priority. Principle # 21 of
the 1992 Rio Declaration on Environment and Development states that the creativity, ideals, and
courage of the youth of the world should be mobilized to forge a global partnership in order to
achieve sustainable development and ensure a better future for all.

Republic Act 9729, otherwise known as the Climate Change Act of 2009, aims to
strengthen, integrate, consolidate and institutionalize government initiatives to achieve
coordination in the implementation of plans and programs to address climate change in the
context of sustainable development. However, it fails to recognize the youth as the most
vulnerable sector gravely and directly affected by climate change.

Itis only imperative that the government must give importance to the youth and that there
must be a youth representation and participation in addressing various environmental issues of
our country. The youth must have a say and hand in formulating solutions to address our

environmental problems.

In view of the foregoing, immediate consideration of this bill is earnestly requested.

1" District, Zamboanga City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
House Bill No._1'714

Introduced by Honorable MARIA ISABELLE G. CLIMACO

AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT 9729, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
CLIMATE CHANGE ACT OF 2009

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

Section 1, Section 5 of Republic Act 9729 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Section 5. Composition of the Commission. ~ The Commission shall be composed of the
President of the Republic of the Philippines who shall serve as the Chairperson, and three (3)
Commissioners to be appointed by the President, one of whom shall serve as the Vice
Chairperson of the Commission.
The Commission shall have an advisory board composed of the following:

(a) Secretary of the Department of Agriculture;

(b) Secretary of the Department of Energy;

(c) Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources;

(@) Secretary of the Department of Education;

(©) Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs;

(0) Secretary of the Department of Health;

(g) Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government;

(h) Secretary of the Department of National Defense, in his capacity as Chair of the
National Disaster Coordinating Council;

( Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways;
@) Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology;

(K) Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development;
(D Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry;

(m) Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications;


(n) Director-General of the National Economic and Development Authority, in his
capacity as Chair of the Philippine Council for Sustainable Development;

(0) Director-General of the National Security Council;
(p) Chairperson of the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women;
(q) CHAIRPERSON OF THE NATIONAL YOUTH COMMISSION;

(R) President of the League of Provinces;

(S) President of the League of Cities;

(1) President of the League of Municipalities;

(U) President of the Liga ng mga Barangay;

(V) Representative from the academe;

(WW) Representative from the business sector; and

(X) Representative from nongovernmental organizations.

At least one (1) of the sectoral representatives shall come from the disaster risk reduction
community.

The representatives shall be appointed by the President from a list of nominees submitted by
their respective groups. They shall serve for a term of six (6) years without reappointment unless
their representation is withdrawn by the sector they represent. Appointment to any vacancy shall
be only for the unexpired term of the predecessor.

Only the ex officio members of the advisory board shall appoint a qualified representative who
shall hold a rank of no less than an Undersecretary.”

Section 2. Section 15 of Republic Act 9729 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Section 15. Role of Government Agencies. ~ To ensure the effective implementation of
the framework strategy and program on climate change, concerned agencies shall perform the
following functions:

(a) The Department of Education (DepED) shall integrate climate change into the
primary and secondary education curricula 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 the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Local Government
Academy shall facilitate the development and provision of a training program for LGUs
in climate change. The training program shall include socioeconomic, geophysical,
policy, and other content necessary to address the prevailing and forecasted conditions
and risks of particular LGUs. It shall likewise focus on women, and children, especially
in the rural areas, since they are the most vulnerable;

(©) The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) shall oversee the
establishment and maintenance of a climate change information management system and
network, including on climate change risks, activities


and investments, in collaboration with other concerned national government agencies,
institutions and LGUs:

(@) 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;

(e) THE NATIONAL YOUTH COMMISSION (NYC) SHALL FACILITATE AND
PROVIDE TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR THE YOUTH ON CLIMATE CHANGE.
THE TRAINING PROGRAM SHALL BE DESIGNED TO EDUCATE THE YOUTH
ON THE DIFFERENT ADAPTATION AND MITIGATION MEASURES THROUGH
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY FORMULATION AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT
AND IMPLEMENTATION. IT SHALL ALSO DESIGNATE OFFICIAL YOUTH
REPRESENTATIVE/S IN THE FORMULATION, PLANNING AND
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL AND LOCAL CLIMATE CHANGE
ACTION PLANS.

(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; and

(G) Government financial institutions, shall, any provision in their respective charters to
the contrary notwithstanding, provide preferential financial packages for climate change-
related projects. In consultation with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), they shall,
within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act, issue and promulgate the
implementing guidelines therefor.

The Commission shall evaluate, recommend the approval of loans and monitor the use of said
funds of LGUs

Section 3. Repealing Clause. — All laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, and other issuances
or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 4, Lffectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the completion of its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved.