NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 2Q2'7
&ClUltP
of lije 
recta 17
23 MAR 21 P2 39
RECEIVED B\';
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO
AN ACT
DECLARING CLIMATE CHANGE EMERGENCY AND ENHANCING RESILIENCE 
AND ADAPTABILITY TO THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Philippines is no stranger to ciimate change being one of the most highly 
vulnerable countries. Rise of sea levels, increase In frequency of extreme weather 
events, rise In temperature and extreme rainfall due to high exposure to natural 
hazards, dependence on climate-sensitive natural resources, and vast coastlines where 
cities and population reside, name it, our country has been through it. In fact, our 
country lies in the world's most cyclone-prone region, averaging 19-20 cyclones each 
year, of which 7 to 9 make landfall.
According to USAID, the Philippines' urban poor are most at risk since they are 
lacking the resources to prevent or mitigate the threat of coastal inundation and 
storm surge. Climate hazards such as earthquakes, tsunami, floods, tropical cyclones, 
drought, and sea levels in the Philippines are increasing faster than the global 
average.
This measure seeks to protect and advance the right of the people to a 
balanced and healthful ecology by declaring the pressing climate change emergency 
and ensuring that departments and agencies and the private sector all work together 
to help solve and mitigate the global challenge of climate change. It also seeks to
1


acknowledge that extreme weather conditions have devastated and may continue to 
devastate parts of the country which in turn radically impact the country's food 
production and supply, water availability, public health. Infrastructure and economy.
In view of the foregoing, the Immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S
o( tl)e n-ftarp
23 HAR21 P2 39
SENATE 
S. No.
RECEIVED BV:
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO
AN ACT
DECLARING CLIMATE CHANGE EMERGENCY AND ENHANCING RESILIENCY 
AND ADAPTABILITY TO THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Climate Change
2 
Emergency Declaration Act."
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. -The State shall protect and advance the right
4 
of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology. The State also acknowledges that
5 
extreme weather conditions have devastated and may continue to devastate parts of
6 
the country which shall radically impact and affect the country's food production and
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supply, water availability, public health, infrastructure and economy. Thus, a need
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for resiliency and adaptability to the effects of climate change is imperative and the
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declaration for an environment and climate emergency Is necessary for the protection
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and preservation of the environment.
11 
Sec. 3. Roles of Departments and Agencies. - Government departments and
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agencies shall Immediately and efficiently cooperate in taking practicable measures
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to preserve and protect the environment, as follows:
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(a) Climate Change Commission (CCC) - To coordinate, monitor, and evaluate
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programs and action plans related to climate change, in accordance with the
16 
National Climate Change Action Plan;
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(b) National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) -
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Monitor the integration of climate change resilience and adaptation in the


1 
national development plans and create an enabling environment that shall
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promote multi-stakeholder participation of concerned departments, agencies,
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local government units, organizations, and other stakeholders;
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(c) Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services
5 
Administration (PAGASA) - Conduct studies ana research on the current trend
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of weather and typhoons that affect the country and worldwide;
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(d) Department of Education (DepEd) - Integrate Climate Change education
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under the Science Curriculum of Grades 2 to Senior High School level. In both
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private and public educational institutions to raise and increase the awareness
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of children In the Impact and effects of climate change;
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(e) Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) - Develop,
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formulate, and recommend climate change strategies, programs, and policies;
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(f) Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) - Coordinate with
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local government units to address vulnerability and Impacts of climate change
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in regions, provinces, cities, and municipalities;
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(g) Department of Science and Technology (DOST) - Conduct studies in
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determining the vulnerability to climate change Impacts and adaptation
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assessments and facilitate the formulation of policy In technical assistance for
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implementation and monitoring;
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(h) Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) - Ensure that employers
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promote a healthy and safe environment for the employees which are
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sustainable and environment-friendly; and
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(i) Department of Information and Technology (DICT) - Provide cost-free
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means for public information dissemination on climate change, vulnerabilities
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and risks, relevant laws and protocols specifically those which need immediate
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dissemination.
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Provided, That, such other departments and agencies may be called upon by
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the Office of President to take part In the efforts in environment preservation and
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protection.
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Sec. 4. Multi-Sectoral Approach. - Private entities, in coordination with the
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national government and local government units, shall also take part In the


1 
preservation and protection of the environment by ensuring that their business
2 
practices are not detrimental and hazardous to the environment.
3 
Concerned government agencies and LGUs shall allocate adequate funds from
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their annual appropriations for the formulation, development and implementation, of
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their respective climate change programs and plans, in accordance to R.A. No. 9729
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otherwise known as the "Climate Change Act of2009."
1 
Sec. 5. Climate Change Emergency Summit - There shall be a climate change
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emergency summit to be held on the second week of September every year. The
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Summit shall be spearheaded by the Climate Change Commission and shall be
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participated by all the stakeholders mentioned in Section 3 hereof. The Summit shall
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aim to collaborate all the efforts of the concerned agencies in environment
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preservation and protection.
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Sec. 6. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee. -There is hereby created a
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Joint Congressional Oversight Committee to monitor the Implementation of this Act.
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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
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House of Representatives, respectively. The Oversight Committee shall be co-chaired
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by a Senator and a Representative to be designated by the Senate President and the
19 
Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively. All concerned departments
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and agencies shall annually submit to Congress a report of the current status of the
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country, the implementation of this Act, and provide for recommendations. If any.
22 
Sec. 7. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
23 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall
24 
remain in force and effect.
25 
Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or
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other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
27 
repealed or modified accordingly.
28 
Sec. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following
29 
the completion of its publication either in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of
30 
general circulation In the Philippines.
Approved,