OSCAR M. Lopez (OML) Center executive director Dr. Rodel Lasco underscored the importance of building climate resilient forest landscapes in the Philippines during his presentation at the Philippine Forestry Youth Summit (PFYS) 2026 held at the College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB).
As part of the session on nature-based solutions (NbS) and climate resilience, Lasco stressed that forests are the backbone of resilience as they provide ecosystem services that are vital to climate change adaptation and mitigation. Forests act as carbon sinks, support biodiversity, protect watersheds and help sustain livelihoods of many communities.
However, drawing from the 2024 Philippine Climate Change Assessment (PhilCCA) report, Lasco recounted how climate change impacts, combined with other environmental and socioeconomic challenges, threaten the long-term health and sustainability of forest ecosystems in the country.
He shared key actions to strengthen forest resilience outlined in the PhilCCA Working Group 2 report on impacts, adaptation and vulnerability. These include improving ecosystem zoning and land use planning, enforcing forest and protected area policies and supporting integrated landscape management.
Lasco emphasized the need to conduct vulnerability assessments, strengthen long-term ecosystem monitoring and invest in research to guide climate-responsive forest management. Restoration of degraded and deforested areas also plays a crucial role in ensuring the resilience of our forests.
He stressed the importance of science-based planning and the role of NbS, which can simultaneously support multiple forest adaptation goals and enhance climate resilience of forest landscapes.
PFYS 2026, organized by the Association of Filipino Forestry Students-UPLB, gathered young leaders, forestry students and practitioners to exchange knowledge and explore pathways toward sustainable forest management.
Alongside the presentation, OML Center participated in PFYS 2026 as an exhibitor and featured the Climate, Disaster and Development Journal (CDDJ). More information about the CDDJ can be found at https://www.cddjournal.org/home.
By Mae Anne Mangubos
