House of Representatives Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III said Tuesday that the proposed University of the Philippines – National Climate Resilience Institute (UP-NCRI) will play a critical role in helping the country confront the growing threats posed by climate change.
Dy made this remark after the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education, with the Committee on Climate Change, approved the substitute bill consolidating Bills Nos. 2577, 4533, 5832, 6430, 6869, 8247, and 9029, which seek to establish the UP-NCRI as a permanent institution dedicated to advancing climate resilience and disaster preparedness in the country.
The substitute measure seeks to institutionalize the UP-NCRI and build upon UP’s long-standing work in disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation, and resilience science.
Dy said the measure recognizes that climate change is no longer a distant challenge but a present-day threat affecting millions of Filipinos through stronger typhoons, flooding, droughts, extreme heat, and other climate-related disasters.
“Taun-taon nating nararanasan ang mas malalakas na bagyo, mas matitinding pagbaha, tagtuyot, at iba pang epekto ng climate change. Kung nais nating maprotektahan ang ating mga komunidad at kabuhayan, kailangan nating paghusayin ang ating kakayahang magplano, maghanda, at tumugon gamit ang pinakamahusay na siyensiya at datos (Yearly, we experience stronger typhoons, more intense flooding, drought, and other effects of climate change. If we want to protect our communities and livelihood, we need to improve our ability to plan, prepare and respond using the best science and data),” Dy said in a news release.
He said UP-NCRI will become a center for research, innovation, and policy-making that will help the government and local communities make wise decisions.
Dy noted that the Philippines remains among the countries most vulnerable to climate-related disasters, making investments in climate science, research, and preparedness increasingly important.
He also emphasized the importance of harnessing the expertise of the country’s premier state university in addressing one of the defining challenges of the 21st century.
“Napakaraming Filipino scientists, researchers, at experts ang may kakayahang tumulong sa pagharap sa climate change. Sa pamamagitan ng UP-NCRI, mabibigyan natin sila ng isang matibay na institusyon na maaaring magsilbing sentro ng kaalaman at inobasyon para sa buong bansa (A lot of Filipino scientists, researchers, and experts have the capability to help address climate change. Through the UP-NCRI, we are giving them a strong institution that will serve as a center of knowledge and innovation for the whole nation),” Dy said.
UP President Angelo Jimenez, who appeared before the joint hearing of the committees on higher and technical education and climate change, said the proposed institute would provide a stronger and more enduring platform for research, innovation, capacity-building, and science-based policymaking.
It would help preserve and strengthen the country’s investments in resilience science, bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and public decision-making, and provide communities and local governments access to the tools, data, and expertise they need to anticipate risks before disasters occur.
“The question is not whether we can afford to invest in resilience. The question is whether we can afford not to,” he said.
Jimenez also briefed the House chief on Project NOAH in September last year.
During the meeting, Dy expressed support for the initiative and emphasized the importance of ensuring that local governments have access to the tools, data, and expertise needed to prepare for disasters.
The proposed UP-NCRI seeks to strengthen these efforts by providing a permanent institutional framework for climate resilience, disaster preparedness, and science-based policymaking. (PNA)