PSF approves ₱99-M climate projects in LuzViMin

The People’s Survival Fund (PSF) Board has approved five new climate adaptation initiatives worth PHP 99,675,400, aiming to enhance the resilience of local communities across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

The decision, finalized during the PSF Board’s 23rd meeting on July 18, 2025, brings the total number of PSF-backed local climate adaptation projects and development grants to 21, with an aggregate funding of approximately PHP 1.421 billion.

“I thank our hardworking PSF Board and the participating LGUs for working together to turn these projects into a reality,” Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto said. “These climate adaptation projects are part of our whole-of-government effort to protect the most vulnerable communities from the effects of climate-related disasters.”

Two full project proposals from Pandan, Catanduanes and Tagum, Davao del Norte were approved, along with three project development grants for Basay, Negros Oriental; Claver, Surigao del Norte; and Rizal, Kalinga.

The largest approved project, amounting to PHP 86,162,400, will be implemented in Pandan, Catanduanes to mitigate storm surge and drought impacts through reforestation and climate-resilient agriculture.

Dubbed the Mangrove EcoShield Project, its first component includes reforesting 10 hectares of mangrove forests in six barangays and establishing a mangrove nursery in Brgy. Balagñonan.

The project aims to support 519 individuals from 10 fisherfolk groups and five multi-sectoral associations through livelihood and conservation efforts.

Its second component, Climate-Smart Infrastructure Support for Agriculture (CSISA), targets 774 members of 15 farmer groups and five associations by enhancing agricultural resilience.

Key interventions include the installation of solar-powered irrigation systems, gravity-fed water supplies, climate-adaptive greenhouses, and a local learning hub for sustainable farming practices.

In Tagum, Davao del Norte, a PHP 7,513,000 initiative will combat flooding through mangrove restoration and the installation of an early warning system (EWS).

The project will restore 55 hectares of degraded mangrove ecosystems in five barangays severely affected by prolonged rainfall and wave action.

Approximately 1,867 fisherfolk are expected to benefit from restored habitats and enhanced livelihoods.

To boost disaster preparedness, EWS will be installed in flood-prone barangays – Apokon, Canocotan, Madaum, and San Miguel – providing critical alerts to over 36,000 households.

Three PHP 2-million project development grants were also awarded to support the formulation of full proposals.

In Basay, Negros Oriental, the grant will facilitate a proposal focused on rehabilitating and managing the Basay River and Watershed to prevent floods and rain-induced landslides.

Claver, Surigao del Norte will develop a nature-based solution to address coastal flooding and storm surges resulting from rising sea levels.

Meanwhile, Rizal, Kalinga’s grant will support the planning of drought-resilient irrigation networks to safeguard agricultural productivity.

The PSF is a pioneering national financing model for climate adaptation, enabling local government units (LGUs) to build resilience through tailor-fit, community-driven solutions.

The PSF Board meeting was chaired by the Department of Finance, with participation from key agencies including the Climate Change Commission (CCC), Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Civil society and academic partners such as the National Resilience Council, University of the Philippines Los Baños, and private sector representatives from the Gokongwei Group also joined the deliberations.