Manila: Protecting the country's food and water supply remains a top priority in the government's national adaptation plan to mitigate and address the effects of climate change, Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga said Wednesday. In a news release, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) emphasized the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is uniting various agencies and sectors to protect the environment and build the country's climate resilience.

According to Philippines News Agency, Loyzaga highlighted in an earlier radio interview that there is now a convergence with the whole-of-government approach. She pointed to the DENR's flood management efforts, such as the construction of water-impounding facilities designed to store excess rainfall for use during the dry season, as a key example of the adaptation strategies being strengthened by the department.

Additionally, Loyzaga noted measures to support Filipino farmers who are facing extreme weather conditions. She mentioned that research is underway on drought-resistant and heat-resistant crops, including rice varieties that can withstand very high temperatures or floods, which are increasingly prevalent in the Philippines.

Loyzaga also expressed concern over urban development exacerbating the effects of rising temperatures. She noted that the proliferation of concrete pavements and increasing city congestion contribute to higher heat indices, thus emphasizing the importance of smart infrastructure planning and building climate-resilient communities to address the growing risks of climate change.