President Marcos thinks that attending international environmental events would be helpful for the Philippines to address the effects of climate change as he ordered the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to prioritize local environmental issues.

Marcos said this during his meeting with the Philippine Delegation of the Conference of Parties (COP28) in Malacañan on Wednesday, Jan. 24.

During the meeting, the President agreed that participating in environmental events would contribute to "influential and resourceful actions in combating climate change in the Philippines."

Marcos likewise directed the DENR and all concerned agencies to prioritize addressing specific local environmental issues first. He emphasized that there should be specific plans to improve climate change mitigation efforts locally as these would benefit the country.

The President also suggested providing guidance and assistance to "areas that require support" from LGUs in different sectors.

In a Facebook post, Marcos reaffirmed the country's commitment to global climate action after the Philippines got a seat on the Loss and Damage Fund Board at COP28.

"With a seat on the Loss and Damage Fund Board at COP28, our commitment to global climate action remains resolute," he said.

"Our National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and National Determined Contribution (NDC) Implementation Plan will guide our participation," he added.

The NAP and NDC urge agencies to mainstream both plans in the government's development planning and budget processes. It would also strategically engage the private sector and development partners to address adaptation, mitigation, and disaster risk arising.

Present during the meeting was DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, who represented President Marcos at COP28 in Dubai last year after he abruptly canceled his trip developments surrounding the Filipino seafarers taken hostage by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.

During the meeting, Loyzaga presented key outcomes of COP28, including:

• The improvement of energy capacity by 2030
• Transitioning from fossil fuels in energy systems in a just and orderly manner
• Accelerating zero-and-low emissions technologies and reduction of emissions from road transport
• Adopting the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Framework for Climate Resilience by 2030
• Commitment budget for Loss and Damage (LD) Funds
• Operationalization of LD with the World Bank as Interim Hosting and call for scale-up in concessional and grant for climate change

In addition, Loyzaga discussed the key wins for the country, which focus on the nexus of biodiversity and climate action, the inclusion of the workforce as important implements, a firm commitment to use available science, and emissions avoidance.