The Philippine government and the German development agency sealed a technical assistance grant to make climate information accessible to the public, the Department of Finance (DOF) announced.

In a statement, the DOF said that Manila and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) signed a five million euro grant for the South-South Collaboration for Climate Information and Services (SSCIS) Project.

“This Project provides the Philippines with a tailored knowledge exchange and learning platform to mitigate the increasing risks posed by the climate crisis,” said Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno in his keynote message during the signing ceremony last Friday, Sept. 16.

The SSCIS project will run for five years and will primarily focus on producing usable climate information, enhancing tripartite capacities, generating science- and evidence-based knowledge products, and establishing the Climate Vulnerable Forum South-South Center of Excellence.

Diokno, Climate Change Commission (CCC) Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje, GIZ Country Director Immanuel Gebhardt, and GIZ Principal Adviser Dr. Bjoern Surborg signed the implementation agreement.

German Ambassador to the Philippines Anke Reiffenstuel also attended the event, where she underscored the importance of international collaboration on climate change mitigation.

Reiffenstuel said that the climate crisis does not stop at any border; hence, the response should take on an international approach and outreach.

The Philippines is among countries that are most vulnerable to the ill effects of climate change.

With the devastating impacts and incalculable damages climate change poses on the economy, the government sees having an integrated knowledge system as critical for the development of premium quality climate information services.

Diokno said that the SSCIS project will make climate information available down to the grassroots level.

“I urge the implementing entities of this Project to ensure that these are accessible and understandable. This will enable our target stakeholders, particularly farmers and fisherfolk, to make informed decisions when adverse effects of climate change arise,” the DOF chief said.

Diokno counts on the collaboration of the CCC, Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, the University of the Philippines, and other development partners from Germany in the next five years to lead to the development of resilient and adaptive communities in the country.

“Rest assured that the Marcos administration is determined to rise to the twin challenge of recovering strongly from the pandemic and mitigating the impact of climate change,” said Diokno.