Aside from being the country's "salad bowl," the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) is also a model against climate change.

Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar said the region up north is indeed a strategic region that serves as a model in averting the impacts of climate change.

"As the primary source of highland vegetables in the country, the Cordillera also serves as one of the models where we can showcase climate change adaptation and mitigation initiatives," Dar said in his virtual message during the 34th Cordillera month celebration on July 15.

Dar stressed that a number of key economic policy tools for climate mitigation can be initiated in the Cordillera region, including community watershed and forest conservation with commercial forest tree, and fruit and industrial tree farming, eco-tourism, payment for environmental services schemes, and sustainable and eco-friendly farming programs, among other initiatives.

"The Department of Agriculture family is one with the Cordillera Administrative Region in its quest for autonomy and building 'greener' and more climate-resilient economies," said Dar, who also concurrently serves as the Cordillera Region Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS).

The region is rich not only in natural resources and mineral deposits, such as gold and copper, but also serves as the "watershed cradle of North Luzon," as it hosts nine major rivers that provide continuous water for irrigation and energy.

More popularly, it produces major highland vegetables sold in Luzon and Metro Manila, including parts of Visayas. These include lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, potatoes, cabbage, and other greens. The region is also known for its aromatic coffees and strawberries.