Manila: 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.
According to Philippines News Agency, 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.
Dy emphasized the need to improve planning, preparation, and response to climate change using science and data. 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.
Dy stressed the importance of harnessing the expertise of the country's premier state university in addressing climate change. He highlighted the capability of Filipino scientists, researchers, and experts to contribute to this cause. Through UP-NCRI, these professionals will have a strong institution to serve as a center of knowledge and innovation for the nation.
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 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 necessary tools, data, and expertise.
Jimenez questioned the affordability of not investing in resilience. He 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 aims to strengthen these efforts by providing a permanent institutional framework for climate resilience, disaster preparedness, and science-based policymaking.
