Communities across the Philippines are already feeling the effects of climate change.
And as our climate continues to shift, these challenges will only grow in the years ahead. That’s why the latest climate science must reach the people who need it most, so local communities can use this knowledge to plan, adapt and build lasting resilience.
This was the objective of the Climate Actors’ Forum & Exchange (CAFE) organized by Oscar M. Lopez Center at Novotel Manila Araneta City in Quezon City, on Oct. 27, 2025.
Building on the findings and recommendations of the 2024 Philippine Climate Change Assessment (PhilCCA 2024) Reports, the inaugural CAFE convened scientists, policymakers, development groups and community leaders to surface conversations on the latest research and developments in climate change in the Philippines, and share insights on its implications for key sectors and industries.
Climate science meets leadership
CAFE 2025 officially opened with welcome remarks from Marianna Vargas-Morada, programs director of OML Center.
In her message, Morada highlighted how CAFE serves as a platform to bring together different sectors for dialogue and partnership on climate action.
This was followed by a keynote speech from Sec. Robert Borje, vice chairperson and executive director of the Climate Change Commission (CCC), who underscored the importance of collective action and evidence-based strategies in addressing the climate crisis.
Borje emphasized the need for multisectoral and science-based collaboration to strengthen the country’s adaptation and action pathways.
Citing the recently released PhilCCA 2024, he stressed that the Philippines is warming faster than the global average, with sea levels rising at three times the global rate.
And without urgent and collective efforts, he warned that climate-related losses could reach P506 billion annually by 2030.
“To build right at first sight is to make resilience deliberate, not accidental, and the discipline of foresight that saves lives, livelihoods and resources,” he said. “Because the measure of good governance is not how fast we rebuild, but how rarely we need to.”
Guidepost for action
The forum continued with Dr. Rodel Lasco, executive director of OML Center and colead of PhilCCA 2024, who provided an overview of the PhilCCA.
Patterned after the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Assessment Reports, the PhilCCA provides a comprehensive review and assessment of the state of knowledge on climate change science and impacts in the Philippines. It should serve as a resource for policy and decision-makers in developing science-based action in response to the changing climate.
Like the IPCC, the PhilCCA is organized into three working groups—Working Group 1: The Physical Science Basis, Working Group 2: Impacts, Vulnerabilities and Adaptation, and Working Group 3: Mitigation of Climate Change.
Released by OML Center in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and CCC, its second cycle was released in 2024, updating the initial assessments released in 2016.
“IPCC Assessment Reports are the gold standard of assessments,” said Lasco. “One time, I and one of my fellow coauthors were in a hotel somewhere in South America and we just stumbled upon the idea: ‘Why not have our own IPCC version for the Philippines?’ And that sort of morphed into what we now call PhilCCA.”
Lasco also shared how OML Center is making the PhilCCA more accessible and actionable.
Through fact sheets and local planning tools like the eCCET Helper and Project Upturn, data from the PhilCCA is simplified and integrated to help local planners apply climate science directly to their climate adaptation plans.
Fr. Jose Ramon Villarin, SJ, PhD, coordinating lead author of PhilCCA Working Group 1, discussed the state of the Philippine climate. He highlighted the realities the country faces today—stronger typhoons, longer dry spells and rising sea levels—and emphasized that science plays a major role in guiding adaptation and resilience efforts for the country’s climate future.
He stressed the importance of collaboration beyond the scientific community. “We can go on and on with our work, but we need to know what your questions are.
We need scientific communicators, artists, even psychologists to look at what kind of information gets absorbed by the people. Greater exchange is needed to enable cocreation of decisions, policies and measures that are timely and responsive.”
Dr. Rex Victor Cruz, coordinating lead author of PhilCCA Working Group 2, followed with a presentation on how climate change enhances Philippine vulnerability.
He discussed the sectors and communities most at risk and stressed the need for coordinated, evidence-based adaptation strategies to strengthen resilience.
“One of the most daunting limitations we have for climate change adaptation is coordination,” Cruz noted. “And I think this reflects the kind of problem we face in terms of interagency and inter-LGU collaboration, integration and harmonization of actions—not only for climate change, but for the entire realm of development programs.”
Leandro Buendia and Agnes de Jesus, coordinating lead authors of PhilCCA Working Group 3, took the stage to discuss the sources of greenhouse gas emissions and outline potential actions.
“The main contributor in terms of greenhouse gas emissions is the energy sector, followed by agriculture and waste and, lastly, the industrial processes and product use,” said Buendia, underscoring the need for targeted action in these key areas.
Building on this, De Jesus stressed the importance of shifting from the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to self-determined contributions (SDCs).
“We must embrace the NDC but shift to SDC, because if you’re going to invest anyway, all private sectors should be encouraged to invest in green enterprises and activities,” she said.
“We want to attract foreign investments in green enterprises that are vital to our NDCs—renewable energy and nature-based solutions—through enabling rules from the government,” De Jesus added, stressing the role of the private sector in achieving climate goals.
Turning evidence into collaboration
Beyond the plenary sessions, CAFE 2025 featured an expo and sectoral dialogues that turned scientific data into real-world collaboration.
Katherine Mae Sarmiento, OML Center partnerships manager, highlighted the expo’s role in fostering collaboration and exchange of innovative climate solutions crucial for all local actors present during CAFE.
Exhibitors included a mix of government agencies, civil society organizations and research institutions working on the frontlines of climate adaptation, including ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.,
ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), Climate Fresk Philippines, First Gen Corporation-Energy Development Corporation (EDC), Komunidad, Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and Technical Assistance Movement for People and Environment Inc.
In the afternoon, six breakout sessions were held to discuss select sectors under the PhilCCA Working Group 2 (see sidebar). These focused on forest ecosystems, coastal and marine ecosystems, land use and human settlements, energy and transport, food security, and water resources.
Each session encouraged the sharing of on-the-ground experiences and reflected on how the findings of the PhilCCA can be integrated into local planning and community-driven solutions.
These were co-led by session partners EDC, ACB, UN-Habitat, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, SEARCA and Philippine Young Water Professionals.
Courage, unity and the Filipino spirit
CAFE 2025 concluded with closing remarks from Arturo Valdez, member of the OML Center board of trustees and veteran environmental advocate.
Drawing from his lifelong advocacy for the environment, Valdez spoke of the spirit of unity, courage and resilience that continues to guide the Philippines in its climate journey.
“Resilience is not built in isolation,” he said. “It is born out of courage, unity and a shared sense of purpose. The Filipino spirit has always risen to challenges, not through fear, but through faith and action.”
Continuing commitment
Through CAFE 2025, OML Center reaffirmed its mission to connect science with policy and knowledge with impact. The forum not only advanced the discourse on the country’s climate agenda but also reflected the Lopez Group’s enduring commitment to sustainable development, rooted in foresight, accountability and service to the Filipino people.
As the nation confronts an increasingly uncertain climate future, the work of OML Center and its partners stands as a testament to what can be achieved when research, leadership and legacy converge.
Because in the face of the climate crisis, resilience is not just a goal; it is a shared journey.
(Story By: Mervin John de Roma)
