Taguig city: The Philippines will place strong emphasis on translating climate commitments into concrete, locally implemented actions as the country hosts ASEAN Climate Week (ACW) 2026 from April 27 to May 1. During the launch of ASEAN Climate Week in Taguig City on Monday, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna stressed the need to move from planning to execution across Southeast Asia to address climate change.
According to Philippines News Agency, ASEAN is entering a critical phase where climate strategies must be implemented at the community level rather than remain within policy frameworks. 'We convene at a critical moment. ASEAN member states have raised ambition through updated NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions). But the urgent challenge before us is implementation, translating commitments into policies, programs, and investment-ready projects that deliver measurable outcomes for our people,' Cuna said. 'This is a time that ASEAN is trying to move from policymaking to actual actions or concrete actions on the ground,' he added.
Cuna emphasized that the regional agenda must now focus on supporting local government units in executing adaptation and resilience programs, particularly in vulnerable and disaster-prone areas. Meanwhile, DENR Undersecretary Jonas Leones noted that specific projects or pilot programs are expected to be launched or scaled up after the ASEAN Climate Week. He cited the Handog ng Pangulo Luntiang Bukas initiative recently held in Iloilo, which, Cuna said, integrates land titling, climate-resilient housing, urban greening, and livelihood support through seedling distribution.
The program also showcases model climate-resilient housing with energy-efficient and solar-ready designs, alongside urban greening efforts, such as linear parks along river systems, aimed at reducing flood risk and improving environmental conditions. DENR Undersecretary Annalisa Rebuelta-Teh, meanwhile, said densely populated cities like those in Metro Manila can still adopt scalable nature-based solutions despite limited space. She cited measures such as permeable pavements, rain gardens, rooftop and vertical greening, green corridors, and 'water square' systems that temporarily store excess rainwater during heavy rains.
'These approaches allow cities to absorb and manage water better during extreme weather events,' she said, highlighting the need to rethink urban infrastructure design. Cuna also emphasized the importance of reinforcing disaster preparedness systems as climate risks intensify across the ASEAN region, particularly under El Ni±o conditions. He said water conservation must be prioritized as governments prepare for hazards such as grass, forest, and landfill fires, which have been increasingly recurring.
He added that geohazard mapping is being used in the Philippines to identify flood- and landslide-prone communities, guide land-use planning, and support evacuation and disaster response efforts in coordination with local governments and agencies. At the grassroots level, he also cited ongoing projects supported by development partners such as the UNDP, including small grants for indigenous peoples and local communities managing coastal, marine, and forest ecosystems, which demonstrate how biodiversity protection and climate adaptation can be integrated into community-led development.
Cuna said ASEAN's climate agenda must now be judged by its on-the-ground outcomes, which should result in safer communities, reduced disaster risks, and more resilient local economies. He said the goal is to ensure that climate action moves beyond commitments and is reflected in tangible improvements in infrastructure, ecosystems, and livelihoods across Southeast Asia.
