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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Climate adaptation investments key to securing homes, food, livelihoods—DENR

Climate adaptation investments key to securing homes, food, livelihoods—DENR

Published Mar 23, 2026 02:02 pm
(MB FILE PHOTO)
(MB FILE PHOTO)
Stronger investments in climate adaptation are needed to secure Filipino homes, livelihoods, and food supply, especially for vulnerable sectors, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said. 
During the recent Adaptation in Action Investment Forum held at the SM Aura Convention Center in Taguig City, DENR Undersecretary Analiza Teh said climate adaptation delivers immediate and tangible benefits to middle- and low-income households.
“Climate adaptation is not an abstract policy; it is a lifeline for families who depend on small farms, informal work and local markets,” Teh said.
She stressed that investments in resilient irrigation systems, watershed protection, and climate-smart agriculture can help reduce economic shocks that often push families deeper into poverty.
“When we invest in resilient irrigation, watershed protection and climate smart farming, we reduce the shocks that force households to sell assets, skip meals or pull children out of school,” she added.
Teh stressed the need for expanded adaptation financing in the water-food nexus, citing the ongoing disruption of food systems caused by water scarcity, pollution, and heightened climate variability.
“Financing adaptation within the water food nexus is a crucial climate action as climate change significantly impacts food systems through water scarcity, pollution and increased climate variability,” she said.
“With sustained and scaled adaptation, we protect the steady production of key crops such as rice, sugarcane, and corn,” she added.
The DENR official highlighted that improved water management and small-scale irrigation systems can significantly boost crop reliability and help address seasonal hunger in farming communities.
“For a smallholder, a reliable water source can mean the difference between a harvest that feeds a family and one that doesn’t,” Teh said.
Also, she pointed to the role of financial tools such as microfinance and weather-indexed insurance in helping farmers cope with climate-related risks.
“When farmers have access to affordable credit and weather indexed insurance, they are less likely to resort to distress sales or high interest loans after a storm,” she added.
As such, Teh underscored the importance of nature-based solutions, such as reforestation and soil conservation, in protecting farmland and reducing damage from floods and droughts.
The forum also highlighted the need for bankable and well-designed projects to attract private sector investments and expand climate financing at the community level.
“We must translate national priorities into clear, investable opportunities that deliver jobs, food security and ecosystem services at the local level,” Teh said.
She added that climate adaptation initiatives can also generate jobs, particularly in rural areas, through activities such as watershed restoration, construction of small reservoirs, and maintenance of irrigation systems.
“These are not temporary handouts,” Teh said. “They are durable livelihoods that build community capacity and resilience.”

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