MANILA, Philippines - November 28, 2024 - The Philippines, one of the world's most climate-vulnerable nations, faces increasing threats to its agricultural systems, as extreme weather events and shifting climate patterns continue to intensify. With food security, livelihoods, and economic stability at stake, strengthening agricultural resilience has become a critical priority. In a recent policy discussion, the CGIAR Initiative on Climate Resilience (ClimBeR) engaged stakeholders from Philippine research institutions, local governments, and development agencies to explore how research can be translated into actionable strategies that ensure long-term food security for rural communities.
The Philippines was recently struck by a series of powerful typhoons, including Typhoon Trami (Kristine), which caused PHP 3.11 billion (USD 53 million) in damage to crops, livestock, and infrastructure. Following this, five other typhoons brought the total damage to PHP 10.4 billion (USD 177 million), severely impacting millions of Filipinos. In the keynote speech of Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr., delivered by the Director of the DA-Climate Resilient Agriculture Office Dr. Alicia Ilaga, he emphasized the urgent need for ongoing innovation and research to bolster resilience. "These events are a sobering reminder of the formidable challenge climate change continues to pose," urging stakeholders to work together to maximize the impact of adaptation efforts.
During the dialogue, Dr. Ilaga highlighted several DA interventions, including the Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (AMIA) Village Approach, the National Color-Coded Agricultural Guide (NCCAG) Map for assessing community vulnerabilities, and integrated ClimBeR-DA innovations like the Climate+ which links the Agro-climatic Advisory Portal (ACAP) and the Rice Crop Manager Advisory Service (RCMAS), and Area-Based Yield Index Insurance, which provide farmers with tools to better manage climate risks.
A key point of discussion was ClimBeR's initial findings and policy recommendations for the Philippines. These recommendations focused on prioritizing climate risk profiling, developing financial tools like yield index insurance, and providing climate-adjusted farm-level advisories to help farmers adapt to changing conditions. Ms. Emilita Monville-Oro, Country Director of the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) for the Philippines, emphasized the need to engage a broad range of stakeholders, particularly in marginalized areas, to ensure inclusive representation in decision-making. "When we talk about no one being left behind, we are focusing on the most at-risk families and communities, particularly those in geographically isolated and disadvantaged (GIDA) areas," Monville-Oro explained. She called for empowering local government units (LGUs) to identify and address the needs of these marginalized groups. Among the ClimBeR focus areas in the country include Guinayangan in Quezon, Canaman, Pamplona and Libmanan in Camarines Sur, Ivisan and Sigma in Capiz, Echague and San Isidro in Isabela, and provinces of Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur.
Ms. Melba Manalo, Vice President for Corporate Business Affairs Group of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), echoed the importance of building stronger, collaborative systems for providing financial support to farmers. PCIC is currently partnering with public and private sectors, including international financial institutions like the Asian Development Bank (ADB), to improve insurance mechanisms. "PCIC cannot do this alone; we need to ensure that we provide clear and accessible information to farmers and other stakeholders," Manalo stressed.
Dr. Jimmy Quilang, Deputy Executive Director for Research at PhilRice, and Dr. Jon Hellin, co-lead of the ClimBeR initiative, reflected on the success of initiatives like the Philippine Rice Information System (PRiSM). Dr. Hellin emphasized the value of institutionalizing research outputs like PRiSM within national frameworks, such as PhilRice, to scale these tools for public good. "Institutionalizing PRiSM has amplified its impact, benefiting national programs like PCIC's yield insurance," Hellin noted. Crop diversification also emerged as another key strategy for building resilience, especially in areas unsuitable for rice production. Dr. Quilang cited the Palayamanan System, a rice-based integrated cropping system, as an active example of how diversification can enhance agricultural sustainability in the country.
The issue of scaling was also raised, with Dr. Hellin noting the need to learn from both successes and failures as CGIAR works on scaling up solutions. Ms. Monville-Oro emphasized that scaling requires horizontal (expanding practices to more farmers) and vertical (institutionalizing practices at higher levels) approaches, coupled with evidence-based practices are essential for scaling, as they help secure buy-in from policymakers and demonstrate the effectiveness of new innovations.
Mr. Glenn Estrada, Deputy Director of the DA National Rice Program and Director for Digitalization and Value Chain Development, highlighted the importance of local capacity building to develop tailored, climate-adapted strategies. "Rather than just providing information, the focus should be on empowering grassroots communities to apply this knowledge in their local development plans," Estrada explained.
PhilRice Executive Director Dr. John de Leon cautioned against overpromising when implementing strategies to tackle climate challenges. Given the dynamic nature of climate risks, resilience efforts must be flexible and adaptable, he argued. "We must recognize that unexpected events can disrupt previous data or assessments of vulnerability," de Leon said.
The panelists agreed that social capital — building trust and relationships within communities— is critical to the success of climate adaptation programs. “Without this trust, even the best technologies may fail to gain traction.” Mr. Estrada reinforced this by stating that the mindset of the target audience—including farmers and partners—must be carefully prepared to ensure the success of projects. He stressed that a holistic approach, addressing both social and technological recovery, is essential for achieving long-term agricultural resilience in the face of climate change.
By empowering farmers, fostering collaboration, and integrating both technological and social strategies, the Philippines can build a more resilient agricultural system that ensures sustainable livelihoods and long-term food security for its rural communities.