PHILIPPINE CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION PROJECT : STRENGTHENING CLIMATE CHANGE RESILIENCE THROUGH IMPROVED WATERSHED AND COASTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT IN SELECTED PROTECTED AREAS IN PEÑABLANCA AND SIARGAO
(PhilCCAP: 2012 - 2015)

Client: Department of Environment and Natural Resources, LGU's, Protected Area Management Board of Peñablanca and Siargao Protected Landscapes and Seascapes
Funding Source: World Bank
Partner: University of the Philippines Los Baños Foundation, Inc. (UPLBFI)
Contract duration: 2012 - 2015
Sample Activities: natural resources management planning; vulnerability assessment and climate change adaptation; resource valuation; agroforestry; marine protected area and mangrove management

Component 2 of PhilCCAP reexamines and updates the planning and management framework and arrangements of protected landscapes and seascapes in the country, taking into consideration climate change challenges and its potential impact on biodiversity, water and food security, livelihoods and safety of communities within the protected areas (PA). OIDCI, with the UPLBFI, was contracted to implement the project in Penablanca PA in Cagayan and Siargao PA in Surigao del Norte.

The climate proofing process covered the identification and mapping of vulnerable areas, the development of cost-effective adaptation strategies, and the establishment of mechanisms to ensure that such strategies are sufficiently and sustainably funded. This included capacity-building for the national and local government agencies responsible for PA management in addressing climate change adaptation challenges. A participatory approach was also adopted, involving stakeholders not only within the PA but also those off-site who depend on resources of the PA and/or will be affected by adverse impacts of climate change on the PA.

The project will result in climate-smart PA management plans for Penablanca and Siargao; a pilot implementation of adaptation and PA financing strategies; a business plan for sustaining funding support; and a Monitoring and Evaluation plan. The Technical Assistance Team consists of experts in climate change adaptation, watershed management, coastal resource management, biodiversity conservation, geographic information systems, resource valuation, and finance.