Negros mayors support climate resiliency institute bill

By Glazyl M. Jopson

TALISAY CITY, Negros Occidental — Three mayors from the 3rd District of Negros Occidental have pledged full support for House Bill No. 2577, which seeks to establish the University of the Philippines National Climate Resilience Institute (UP NCRI).

The proposed legislation, authored by 3rd District Rep. Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez in collaboration with Reps. Brian Poe and Ryan Recto, aims to provide science-based solutions to flooding and other climate-related challenges across the country.

During the Climate Resiliency Summit held Sunday at Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City, Mayors Matthew Louis Malacon of E.B. Magalona, Gerry Rojas of Murcia, and Joedith Gallego of Silay City committed to passing resolutions through their respective councils in support of the bill.

Dr. Alfredo Mahar Lagmay, director of the University of the Philippines Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (NOAH) and a keynote speaker at the summit, praised the initiative and stressed the critical role of science and data in disaster planning and mitigation.

He noted that despite Project NOAH’s shutdown in 2017 due to limited funding, its tools and data remain widely used, with over 3 million organic users and up to 2.6 million daily views.

Lagmay said Project NOAH, which operated for six years beginning in 2012, received PHP 6.4 billion in funding and completed 21 projects.

In a press briefing after the summit, he emphasized that while the country has the technical expertise to address disasters, it lacks institutional support and sustainable financing.

He advocated for collaboration among state universities, colleges, and government agencies to amplify the impact of climate resiliency efforts.

“We need to help each other,” Lagmay said.

“It’s better if state universities and colleges and higher education institutions and agencies are helping each other.”

He stressed the need for a holistic approach to disaster response, rooted in scientific studies, environmental planning, and strong partnerships between local governments and national agencies.

Lagmay noted that the 3rd District already demonstrates adaptive capacity, with active local government units and disaster risk reduction officers who can benefit further from science-based approaches.

Benitez clarified that the bill’s intent is not just to centralize research but also to establish resilience hubs within various state universities and colleges nationwide.

“We should be science-based, and we need to put the money where our mouth is,” he said.

The summit, themed “Rationalization of the Flood Mitigation and Climate Resiliency Plan of the Third District of Negros Occidental for a More Responsive Future,” gathered LGUs, disaster risk reduction teams, and experts to assess flood control measures and plan for long-term climate resilience.

Though only two months into office, Benitez has made climate action a top priority.

He called the initiative urgent and transformative, emphasizing that it is not only about flood prevention but also about reshaping how communities are designed in the era of climate change.

“I hope this summit serves as an eye-opener and can shed light to what’s happening right now,” Benitez said.

He committed to continued collaboration with LGUs to implement effective flood mitigation strategies and said he hopes the bill will be passed within the year.

On Sept. 6, Benitez led an inspection of flood control projects in E.B. Magalona, Talisay City, and Silay City, urging two contractors to begin repairs in E.B. Magalona and Silay City.

He confirmed that the repairs—done at the contractors’ own cost—are now underway.