CONTRIBUTION FROM THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

TO THE UN SECRETARY GENERAL THEMATIC REPORT

ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(Pursuant to HRC Resolution 47/24)
In response to OHCHR’s Note Verbale dated 19 August 2020, the Government of the
Philippines is pleased to provide its contribution to the UN Secretary-General’s report on
the adverse impact of climate change on the full and effective enjoyment of human rights
of people in vulnerable situations (HRC resolution 47/24).

The information was provided by the Philippines’ Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR), the primary government agency responsible for the conservation,
management, development, and proper use of the country’s environment and natural
resources, specifically forest and grazing lands, mineral resources, including those in
reservation and watershed areas, and lands of the public domain, as well as  the
licensing and regulation of all natural resources as may be provided for by law in order to
ensure equitable sharing of the benefits derived therefrom for the welfare of the present
and future generations of Filipinos.

Guided by the provided questionnaire, the DENR’s responses include information on the
adverse effects of climate change, the mechanisms set in place to measure and monitor
its impact, and the specific policies, initiatives and programs it complies with to mitigate
these effects. Also provided are detailed initiatives on international and multilateral
cooperation as well as shared best practices and supplementary information that may be
useful to support climate change action as it relates to the human rights of people in
vulnerable situations.

1. Please describe the impacts of the adverse effects of climate change on the
full and effective enjoyment of the human rights of people in vulnerable
situations. Where possible, please share specific examples and stories.

 The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's latest findings made clear

that we are running out of time to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius and
unless there are immediate, rapid, and large-scale reductions in greenhouse gas
emissions, limiting warming to 1.5°C will be beyond reach.

 Ranking 3rd among the most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate
change, the observed changes in the Philippines include increased frequency of
extreme typhoons and flooding causing thousands of casualties and millions of
lives disrupted. This, in turn, threatens food security and drives the emergence of
food-, water- and vector-borne diseases. Research predicts that rising global
temperatures will continue to alter the timing, distribution, and severity of future
outbreaks.

 This situation further exacerbates the pre-existing socio-economic conditions and

inequalities in the country such as poverty, hunger, and inadequate access to
health care particularly in our climate-vulnerable and densely populated
communities.

 Below are some specific scenarios on the effects of climate change on the
enjoyment of the human rights of Filipinos in vulnerable situations:

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Philippines’ Contribution to the UNSG Thematic Report on Human Rights and Climate Change

- The aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda in 2013 resulted in the emergence of an

underground economy in the province. Women and girls were sold for food
and other supplies, or trafficked into forced labor and sex work by recruiters
offering jobs and scholarships. Kristine, a 13-year-old girl, was sold to men
every night; some of the men were foreign-aid workers, who raped her, and
even took graphic pictures and videos of her.

- Aside from human trafficking, due to the lack of opportunities and loss of
livelihood, children share the burden of providing for their families. Jericho, a
16-year old boy from Basey, Eastern Samar was hired to do the heavy lifting
as they clear coconut trees from a privately-owned land and sell them only to
earn 100 to 200 pesos a day.

- For Rica, a 20-year-old student and a member of an indigenous group in

Bataan which depended heavily on forest resources for basic needs like food,
water and medicine, climate change impacts were felt with depletion of
resources being made available.

- Aside from them, the farmers in the country are among those who bore the
brunt of climate change the most. The climate crisis worsened their plight and
pushed them further into poverty. Felix, a farmer, highlighted in his statement
how ironic it is that the farmers who have been tirelessly creating the food we
eat are also the ones who do not have food to eat and land to till at the end of
the day.

- In Alabat Island, Quezon Province, residents have been compelled to resettle

their houses farther inland because the sea seems to have risen and eaten
up the formerly vast shoreline.

It was also observed by the residents that since it has become warmer in
their communities, the number of fish being caught in the municipal waters
has been declining. Farming, copra making, and backyard vegetable
gardening have also been difficult, and recently, often unproductive. Some of
their crops, coconuts, and other vegetables had low yields and were of
almost unmarketable quality.

- In Verde Island Passage, it is projected that climate change will cause rising
sea levels, higher ocean temperatures, and more acidic waters. This will
result in the alteration of the frequency, intensity, and distribution of storms,
floods, heatwaves, and the amount and distribution of rainfall, making its
unique biodiversity at risk.

The loss of biodiversity, as a result, provides a direct impact on its local

communities, since their livelihoods are dependent primarily on tourism,
fisheries, and agriculture, which in turn, heavily relies on these threatened
natural resources.

2. Please describe any specific policy, legislation, practice or strategy that your
Government has undertaken, in compliance with applicable international
human rights law, to promote an approach to climate change mitigation and

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Philippines’ Contribution to the UNSG Thematic Report on Human Rights and Climate Change

adaptation, as well as loss and damage that ensures the full and effective
enjoyment of the human rights of people in vulnerable situations. Please also
note and identify any relevant mechanisms for ensuring accountability for
these commitments including their means of implementation.

 Republic Act No. RA 9729 Climate Change Act of 2009

- The DENR, in support to its mandate under RA 9729, is currently working on
developing its Climate Change Information and Management System.

 Executive Order No. 24 - Establishment of the Climate Change Adaptation,

Mitigation, and Disaster Risk Reduction Cluster
- As chair of the CCAM-DRR Cluster, the DENR leads the implementation and
monitoring of the PPAs under the CCAM-DRR Performance and Projects
Roadmap. for 2018-2022.

 Risk Resiliency Program

- In an attempt to address the effects of the climate crisis, the Government of
the Philippines, through the Cabinet Cluster on Climate Change Adaptation,
Mitigation, and Disaster Risk Reduction (CCAM-DRR), implemented the Risk
Resiliency Program (RRP). It is a convergence program which aims to
strengthen and scale-up province-based planning and budgeting of climate-
resilient investments.

 Executive Order No 120 (EO No 120) - Creation of the Task force Build,
Back Better
- Signed on 18 November 2020 by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, EO No.
120, creating the Build Back Better Task Force, ensures the post-disaster
rehabilitation and recovery efforts of typhoon-hit areas in the country.
- The "Build Back Better Task Force" is a high-level institutional platform and a
more permanent body that will streamline and expedite post-disaster efforts
in a sustained and integrated manner, with a clear unity of command
- The efforts of the Task Force are focused on 6 Key Result Areas, namely:
 Better and Resilient Infrastructures
 Stronger Shelter and Resilient Settlement
 Improved Systems and Essential Services
 Restored Sustainable Livelihood
 Strengthened Governance thru Broad-based Citizen Input
 Intensified Watershed Management

 DENR Administrative Order No. 2021-22 Mainstreaming, Cascading and

Institutionalizing Climate Change Concerns in the Environment and Natural
Resources (ENR) Priority Programs
- Objectives of the DAO are the following:
 Adopt the identified climate change responsive indicators for the DENR
priority programs and projects in the annual work and financial plans of
the DENR Offices;
 Identify the corresponding targets and programs, activities and projects
(PPAs) for the climate change responsive indicators;
 Define the responsibilities of the bureaus, regional offices and concerned
offices in mainstreaming climate change in the DENR priority programs
and projects; and
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Philippines’ Contribution to the UNSG Thematic Report on Human Rights and Climate Change

 Determine the needed actions or interventions to enhance and

institutionalize mainstreaming of climate change in the DENR priority
programs and projects, and such other programs as may be prioritized by
the Department.

 National Plan of Action for the Prevention, Reduction and Management of

Marine Litter
- The government has the National Plan of Action for the Prevention,
Reduction and Management of Marine Litter (NPOA-ML) developed to
provide a blueprint to enhance the current efforts of the country in resource
and waste management and to bring additional lens to marine litter issues
and the control of additional leakage of waste into bodies of water. Measures
have been clustered into programmatic cluster (consisting of six strategies)
and enabling or cross-cutting cluster (consisting of four strategies) of actions,
as enumerated below.
 Strategy 1: Establish science- and evidence-based baseline information
on marine litter
 Strategy 2: Mainstream circular economy (CE) and sustainable
consumption and production (SCP) initiatives
 Strategy 3: Enhance recovery and recycling coverage and markets
 Strategy 4: Prevent leakage from collected or disposed waste
 Strategy 5: Reduce sea-based sources of marine litter
 Strategy 6: Manage litter that is already existing in the marine/riverine
environment

 Republic Act No. 8749 or the Clean Air Act of 1999

- Issuance of Euro 2 and Euro 4 Guideline Values in Air Quality Management

- Air quality monitoring

 Air quality monitoring, which is an integral part of an effective air quality
management system, has always been one of the top priorities of the
DENR.
 Air quality monitoring as a crucial step for taking corrective actions to
reduce air pollution which, according to the World Health Organization, is
the largest single environmental health risk, causing non-communicable
diseases like cardiovascular and respiratory ailments, stroke and lung
cancer.
 The Environmental Management Bureau, a line bureau of the DENR is
maintaining a total of 75 air quality monitoring stations that are
strategically located in 16 regions nationwide, 34 of those are capable of
continuous online monitoring, while 41 are using manual method of
sampling.
 These monitoring stations are capable of measuring air pollutants,
particularly PM10 or particulate matter smaller than 10 micrometers in
diameter and PM2.5, whose diameter is 2.5 micrometers or less.
 Fifteen (15) of these monitoring stations in eight regions are also capable
of measuring gaseous air pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen
oxide and sulfur oxide.

- Phase out of Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS) in support of Montreal

Protocol
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Philippines’ Contribution to the UNSG Thematic Report on Human Rights and Climate Change

 In 1991, the Philippines adopted the Montreal Protocol, a Multilateral

Environmental Agreement that aims to phase out ODS such as HCFCs by
replacing them with ozone-friendly alternatives to prevent the thinning of
the ozone layer, curb the effects of climate change, and help boost energy
efficiency in the cooling sector.
 HCFCs, which are used in refrigerators and air conditioners, big chillers
and mobile chillers that preserve food and vaccines, are the last group of
ODS which is still due for phase out by 2040.
 The Hydrochlorofluorocarbons Phase out Management Plan or HPMP
Stage 2, which will run until 2022, targets to reduce the HCFC
consumption by 50 percent this 2021 and is expected to prevent a
minimum of 0.5 million carbon dioxide equivalent tons of emissions.
 By phasing out the use of these ozone-depleting substances (ODS) in the
country, we have already contributed to the mitigation of climate change
and truly meeting the country's our commitment to the Montreal Protocol.

 Anti-smuggling initiatives in support of the Convention on Biodiversity

- The Philippines signed on to the Convention on Biological Diversity on 12
June 1992 and became a Party on 8 October 1993. It was among the first
thirty one (31) countries which put the Convention into force in 1993.

- Recognizing the threats of the illegal wildlife trade (IWT) to the country's
biodiversity and economy, the Philippine government passed legislation,
created inter-agency groups to combat the trade in illegal wildlife and wildlife
parts, and is building capacity across the law enforcement chain.

- The 10-year national Wildlife Law Enforcement Action Plan (WildLEAP) 2018-
2028, which is aligned with the Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action
Plan, serves as the national road map to address wildlife crimes and a guide
to prioritizing enforcement activities, allocating funds and resources, and
evaluating impacts of enforcement.

 DENR's Contribution to the Philippine's Nationally Determined

Contributions (NDCs)
- The Philippines communicated its first NDC on 15 April 2021 to the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

- The Philippines' NDC conveys the country's progressive climate change

mitigation commitment and adaptation challenges and requirements,
including addressing residual loss and damage, in pursuit of low carbon,
sustainable, and climate and disaster-resilient development.

- The Philippines commits to a projected GHG emissions reduction and

avoidance of 75%, of which 2.71% is unconditional and 72.29% is
conditional, for the period 2020 to 2030 for the sectors of agriculture, wastes,
industry, transport, and energy. This mitigation commitment is referenced
against a projected business-as-usual cumulative economy-wide emission of
3,340.3 MtC02e for the same period.

- Below are the proposed to policies and measures under the Industrial
Processes and Product Use (IPPU) sector, solid waste sub-sector and
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Philippines’ Contribution to the UNSG Thematic Report on Human Rights and Climate Change

wastewater sub-sector of the DENR to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions as

part of the country's NDC

DENR NDC Mitigation Policies and Measures (PAMs)

Industrial Clinker Use of Low Global Establishment Industrial

Increase use
Processes and Substitution in Warming Potential
of cullet in
of Destruction Processes and
Products Use refrigerants by the Facility for Products Use
cement glass
sector BAC sector ODS and HFCs
sector

Solid Digestion of Use of eco- Methane Recovery Methane SLCP

waste sub- Organic Solid Composting efficient Soil from Sanitary Flaring in reduction
Landfill (SLF) for
sector Wastes Cover Electricity SLF measures

Compliance to Expansion of
Waste water Mandamus on Manila sewerage and
sub-sector Bay rehabilitation septage treatment
facilities

 Initiatives in the National Greening Program in support to the Paris

Agreement
- Article 4 of the Paris Agreement states that Parties should take action to
conserve and enhance, as appropriate, sinks and reservoirs of greenhouse
gases including forests.

- As an initiative in halting the loss and degradation of forest ecosystems the

Philippine government established the National Greening Program (NGP) to
promote food security, environmental stability, and biodiversity conservation;
and enhance climate change mitigation and adaptation.

- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has issued

new guidelines aimed at increasing private sector participation in the
government's Enhanced National Greening Program (ENGP).

- ENGP is the government's flagship reforestation initiative under Executive

Order (EO) 193 issued in 2015 committing that will rehabilitate all the
remaining unproductive, denuded and degraded forestlands estimated at 7.1
million hectares from 2016 to 2028.

 Other International Conventions

- 1972 Stockholm Convention (UN Conference on the Human Environment)
- 1978 Kuwait Regional Convention for Cooperation on the Protection of the
Marine Environment from Pollution
- 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Seas
- 1985 World Charter for Nature
- 1989 Basel Convention
- 1991 Espoo Convention
- 1992 Rio Declaration on Environment and Development
- 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity
- 1994 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
- 1998 Rotterdam Convention
- 1998 Aarhus Convention
- 2001 Stockholm Convention on POPs

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Philippines’ Contribution to the UNSG Thematic Report on Human Rights and Climate Change

- 2013 Minamata Convention

- 2015 The Paris Agreement

3. Please share a summary of any relevant data that captures how the adverse
effects of climate change have affected people in vulnerable situations, taking
into account multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination (i.e.
discrimination based on a combination of multiple grounds, including
disability, gender, race, colour, sex, language, religion, nationality and
migration status).

In terms of water security and resiliency, a study conducted by Deltares shows that
water resources is another area where there has been underinvestment. This is
despite the gap faced now for water, and the expected gaps that will be faced under
climate change.

Analysis of the water gap across the 18 major river basins by Deltares showed that
under the baseline scenario, the Philippines is currently already sufferinq from a
water gap of 32%, implying that a substantial part of water demand cannot be met
at the national level.

Compared to the base case, under low climate scenario, both water demand growth
and climate change are in the extreme low bounds of plausible outcomes, resulting
in a lower water gap (24%) in 2050.

Further, it is expected that under a high climate scenario characterized by high

levels of warming and its consequences, the gap could increase to 54% if no
measures are taken for adaptation in the water resources sector. Under this high
scenario, which may be likely given current warming trends, the Philippines will
need to increase investments in water resources by about ten times in order to
maintain the water gap around 32%. Reducing the water gap below 32% will
require even more resources.

4. Please describe any mechanisms and tools that are in place to measure and
monitor the impacts of climate change on the full and effective enjoyment of
the human rights of people in vulnerable situations.

 National Emissions Inventory

- The DENR Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) is required under RA
8749 to conduct an inventory of emissions once every three years. Emissions
inventory estimates emissions coming from stationary, mobile and area
sources

 RRP Provincial Climate Risk Diagnostic (PCRD) Tool

- As a component of the continued work of the Risk Resiliency Program (RRP)
and in support of the program's goal to improve convergence climate
budgeting and planning and to drive investment in new and better-designed
climate resilience interventions, a Provincial Climate Risk Diagnostic (PCRD)
tool is being developed. This initiative is a component of the World Bank and
GoP partnership on Accelerating Climate Investment in the Philippines
(ACIP).

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Philippines’ Contribution to the UNSG Thematic Report on Human Rights and Climate Change

- The PCRD tool will be used to support planning and decision making mainly
at the provincial level, with the ability to support LGU-Ievel planning and
decision making, cross-province planning, and climate risk and resilience
tracking at the national level.

- The PCRD project will likewise involve the application of the tool in four
selected Provinces, namely Southern Leyte, Bukidnon, Sultan Kudarat, and
Zamboanga Del Norte. The provinces under this initiative will be provided
technical assistance in applying the PCRD in developing their respective
Provincial Investment Portfolio for Risk Resilience (IPRR).

 DENR-MGB National Geohazard Assessment Program

- Geohazard maps are the output of the DENR-MGB National Geohazard
Assessment Program. Under this Program, the 1:10,000 scale landslide and
flood susceptibility assessment of 1,634 cities and municipalities were
completed in 2014. Printed copies of these maps were set to be distributed to
all Local Government Units (LGUs) in 2016. Intensive IEC campaigns
explaining to the local communities how to use these maps are being
conducted by the MGB since 2015. Through the use of these maps,
communities at risk can better prepare for natural hazards and avoid disaster.
The maps are also very useful as reference for the preparation and updating
of the Comprehensive Land Use Plans of the LGUs.

 ERDB Vulnerability Assessment

- The aim of vulnerability assessment is to provide the policy and decision-
makers with science-based information on the magnitude and/or degree of
vulnerability of a watershed to natural and anthropogenic hazards. It also
analyzes and determines as to where and what interventions should be
conducted as well as the strategies and methods to be applied. It is then a
very important input to the formulation of an integrated watershed
management plan.

- The goal is to ensure adequate protection from the environmental hazard,

thus the process includes identification of hazard, assessment of
vulnerability, and formulation of interventions to reduce possible damage or
enhance the coping capacity of the system.

5. Please identify and share examples of good practices and challenges in the
promotion, protection, and fulfilment of the human rights of people in
vulnerable situations in the context of the adverse effects of climate change.

 Risk Resiliency Program (RRP)

- In terms of the RRP Proposals enrolled under the RRP Program
Convergence Budgeting, from 2019 10 2021, around Php 350.6 billion worth
of proposals were already approved for implementation under the RRP.

- For 2022, the CCAM-DRR, through the DENR, recently submitted to the
Department of Budget and Management for 2021 budget appropriation
through the CCAM-DRR Cabinet Cluster a total of 126 PAPs with budgetary
requirements of Php 521,599,304,451 ,000.00

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Philippines’ Contribution to the UNSG Thematic Report on Human Rights and Climate Change

- For 2022, the RRP will focus on ensuring water security and resiliency
considering the gap being faced now by the country on water.

- The challenges in RRP include Ihe limited funding for the proposals of the
priority climate-vulnerable provinces as well as the limited technical capacity
of the technical staff at the local government level to develop their technically
sound and bankable proposals. This is crucial considering that the
implementation of Mandanas Ruling will already start next year, 2022.

 DENR has been continuously providing capacity building to its Regional

Offices, concerned Local Government Units, and other participants on the
following topics, among others:
- Applying the Ecosystem-Based Adaptation Approach
- Using the Climate Change Responsiveness Rating

6. Please include examples and good practices that highlight international and
multilateral cooperation and approaches that are implemented through close
consultation with and active involvement of people in vulnerable situations.

In order to highlight the international or multilateral cooperation and approaches

being implemented by the Department including in climate-vulnerable areas, the
table below shows the synergies among DENR International Commitments, DENR
Programs, and its alignment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

These DENR Programs, Projects, Activities (PPAs) are being implemented in

accordance with the International Commitments or Multilateral Environmental
Agreements which DENR are signatory to. Aside from operationalizing the
mandates of the Department, these PPAs are also contributory to the achievement
of the UN Sustainable Goals as well as other National Development Plans such as
the Philippine Development Plan, NCCAP, and the Cabinet Cluster on CCAM-DRR
Performance and Projects Roadmap among others.

Some of these also form part of the PPAs being enrolled by the DENR under the
Cabinet Cluster's Risk Resiliency Program, which are being implemented in the
identified priority climate-vulnerable areas in the country. These PPAs include but
are not limited to the Enhanced National Greening Program and Responsible ENR
Research and Development.

DENR International DENR Programs, Projects, UN Sustainable

Commitment or Activities (PPAs) Development Goals
Multilateral Environmental (2030 Agenda)
Agreements
Convention on Biological Enhanced Biodiversity Goals 1, 2, 3, 6, 8,
Diversity (CBD), Cartagena Conservation, Coastal and Marine 9,11,12,14,15,
Protocol, Nagoya Protocol, Ecosystems Rehabilitation; 16,17
ASEAN Centre for Responsible ENR Research and
Biodiversity Development; Protected Areas,
Caves and Wetlands Development
and Management Sub-Program
Convention on International Enhanced Biodiversity Goals 12,14,15,16,
Trade in Endangered Conservation; Coastal and Marine 17
Species of Wild Flora and Ecosystems Rehabilitation;
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Philippines’ Contribution to the UNSG Thematic Report on Human Rights and Climate Change

Fauna Responsible ENR Research and

Development
Promote climate and disaster-
resilient structures and designs
following established measures
and standards; identify
technological and research
priorities and capacity needs on
CCAM & DRRM; Maximize access
to CC and DRRM financing and
risk transfer mechanisms; Promote
business continuity planning;
Strengthen institutional response
to disasters; Strengthen the
monitoring and evaluation of the
effectiveness of CC and DRRM
actions Chap 11 -Vulnerability: Roll
out climate and disaster
vulnerability and risk assessment
nationwide; Develop facilities for
adaptation including risk transfer
mechanism.
Convention on the Enhanced Biodiversity Goals 12, 13, 14, 15,
conservation of migratory Conservation, Coastal and Marine 16, 17
species of wild animals Ecosystems Rehabilitation;
Responsible ENR Research and
Development
Convention on wetlands of Enhanced Biodiversity Goals 2, 6, 12,13, 14,
international importance Conservation; Coastal and Marine 15, 16, 17
especially as Waterfowl Ecosystems Rehabilitation;
Habitat Protected Areas, Caves and
(Ramsar Convention) Wetlands Development and
Management; Responsible ENR
Research and Development
United Nations Framework Climate change adaptation, Goals 2, 9, 11, 12,
Convention on Climate resiliency, and mitigation; 13,14,15,16,17
Change, Kyoto Protocol, Improved Land Administration and
Paris Agreement, ASEAN Management; Environmental and
WG on Climate Change Natural Resources Resiliency
Program, Natural Resource
Assessment, Responsible
ENR R&D, Water Resources
Vulnerability and Sustainability
Assessment
Chemicals Conventions Intensified Environmental Goals 3, 12,
(Basel Convention, Protection (Clean Air and Water, 14,15,16,17
Rotterdam Convention, and Solid Waste Management);
Stockholm Convention, Environmental Regulations and
Vienna Convention, Pollution Control Program (ERPC);
Montreal Protocol, SAICM, Environmental Pollution Research;
EANET, APEC Environmental Education and
Chemical Dialogue, APMMN Partnership; Building;
and others) Environmental Impact

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Philippines’ Contribution to the UNSG Thematic Report on Human Rights and Climate Change

Assessment; Water Resources

Management
International Organizations, Data Management Including Goal 17
e.g., UN Environment Systems Development and
Assembly, ASEAN Maintenance Conduct of Special
Ministerial Studies, Design and Development
Meeting on Environment in Support of Forestry, Mining,
and ASEAN Senior Officials Protected Areas and
on the Environment Environmental Management
(ASEAN), Operations
ASEAN Working Groups,
CTI, PEMSEA, CCOP,
BIMP-EAGA
UN Convention on the Law Hydrographic and Oceanographic Goal 14
of the Sea, International Surveys and Nautical Charting;
Hydrographic Organization Topographic Base Mapping and
Geodetic Surveys; Resource
Assessment and Mapping;
Geospatial Information
Management; Responsible
ENR R & D
UN Forum on Forests , - Enhanced National Greening Goals 1, 2, 3, 5,6,
International Tropical Program 7,8,9,10,11 ,12,
Timber Organization (lTTO), - Intensified Forest Protection 13,14,15,16, 17(a)
APEC Meeting of Ministers - Coastal and Marine
Responsible for Forestry, Ecosystems Rehabilitation
APEC EGILAT, Asian - Improved Land Administration
Forest Cooperation and Management;
Organization, - Responsible ENR R & D
ASEAN Ministers on - Natural resource management
Agriculture and Forestry, arrangement/agreement and
ASEAN Senior Officials on permit issuance
Forestry and Working - Operation against illegal ENR
Groups activities
- Forest and Watershed
Management Sub-Program
- Soil Conservation and
Watershed Management
Including River Basin
Management and Development
- Forestland Management Project
(FMP) - JICA - Integrated
Natural Resources
Environmental Management
Project (INREMP) - ADS, IFAD,
GEF &CCF
APEC Mining Task Force, Mining Regulation Program; Goals
ASEAN Ministerial Meeting Mineral Investment Promotion; 1,6,7,8,9,10,12,
on Minerals, ASEAN Senior Mining Industry Development: 13,15,16 and Multiple
Officials Meeting on Monitoring of Mining Companies’ Goals (b)
Minerals and its Working Regulatory Compliance; Mine
Groups, CCOP Rehabilitation; Mineral Resources
Development Program; Geologic

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Philippines’ Contribution to the UNSG Thematic Report on Human Rights and Climate Change

Survey and Exploration; Mineral

Reservation; Geological
Assessment for Risk Reduction
and Resiliency Program;
Groundwater Resource
Assessment

7. Please provide any additional information you believe would be useful to

support climate action that promotes the full and effective enjoyment of the
human rights of people in vulnerable situations.

In the pursuit of addressing the climate crisis as we promote the full and effective
enjoyment of the human rights of people in vulnerable situations, the DENR joins
the Commission on Human Rights in advocating for the improved enforcement of
environmental laws owards the protection of human rights of all Filipinos.

DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu said in a statement that the effective enforcement of
environmental laws is evident with the impact on curbing environmental degradation
in Boracay and, now, in Manila Bay. Aside from this, the DENR also pushes for the
effective implementation of environmental laws on anti-illegal logging, illegal mining,
poaching, and illegal trade of wildlife, as well as environmental pollution.

According to the United Nations, "Climate change threatens the effective enjoyment
of a range of human rights including those to life, water and sanitation, food, health,
housing, self-determination, culture and development. States have a human rights
obligation to prevent the foreseeable adverse effects of climate change and ensure
that those affected by it, particularly those in vulnerable situations, have access to
effective remedies and means of adaptation to enjoy lives of human dignity.”

It is therefore imperative that as we deal with these multiple crises, we must rethink,
re-evaluate our directions, our choices for the economy, for the environment, for
humanity. We need to see clear signs that the pandemic and our societal response
to it will lead to significant and permanent changes in the path of future global
emissions.

Taking these crises as a motivation for encouraging co-benefit approaches between

air pollution and health, climate, and other socio-economic issues will enable the
restoration of the balance between natural systems and human systems.

The Government of the Philippines hopes that the above inputs contribute to a deeper
appreciation of the topic to be addressed in upcoming UN Secretary General thematic
report on climate change. END.

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Philippines’ Contribution to the UNSG Thematic Report on Human Rights and Climate Change

References:

Item 1
 PHL at the forefront of seeking climate justice with CHR's landmark inquiry on the
effects of climate change to human rights. (2018, March 29). chr.gov.ph.
https://chr.gov.ph/phl-at-the-forefront-of-seeking-climate-justice/
 Three Young Faces of Tragedy IABS-GSN News. (2013) . abs-cbn.com.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/specials/three-young-faces-of-tragedy
 Calma, J., & Commentary. (2017, May 2). Climate change has created a new
generation of sex-trafficking victims in the Philippines. Quartz; Quartz.
https://qz.com/970394/climate-change-has-created-a-new-generation-of-sex-trafficking-
victims/
 PETITION To the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines Requesting for
Investigation of the Responsibility of the Carbon Majors for Human Rights Violations or
Threats of Violations Resulting from the Impacts of Climate Change. (n.d.). Retrieved
November 22. 2021. From http://climatecasechart.com/climate-change-litigation/wp-
content/uploads/sites/16/non-us-case-documents/2015/20150512_Case-No.-CHR-NI-
2016-0001_petition.pdf

Item 4
 Nieves, R. V. (2016, June). MGB's Geohazard Maps now viewable and downloadable
online. mgb.gov.ph. https://mgb.gov.ph/en/2015-05-13-02-02-11/mgb-news/303-mgb-s-
geohazard-maps-now-viewable-and-downloadable-onIine
 Manual on Vulnerability Assessment of Watersheds - Ecosystems Research and
Development Bureau - DENR. (2017, January 29). Ecosystems Research and
Development Bureau DENR. https://erdb.denr.gov.ph/2015/06/01/other-manual-on-
vulnerability-assessment-of-watersheds/
 Emissions Inventory 2018 I Air Quality Management Section. (2018). emb.gov.ph.
https://air.emb.gov.ph/emission-inventory-2018/

Item 6
 Consolidated and modified from the UNEP Division for Environmental Law and
Conventions, 2016. of Multilateral Environmental Agreements in Achieving the
Sustainable Development Goals and the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022

Item 7
 INQUIRER.net. (2021, June). CHR expects “stronger commitment” from DENR to
enforce environmental laws. INQUIRER.net.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1449296/chr-expects-stronger-commitment-from-denr-to-
enforce-environmental-laws
 Miguel, M. (2019). DENR launches lecture series on environment with ex-Chief Justice
Puno. denr.gov.ph.
https://www.denr.gov.ph/index.php/news-events/press-releases/984-denr-launches-
lecture-series-on-environment-with-ex-chief-justice-puno
 OHCHR I OHCHRs work on human rights and climate change. (2019). ohchr.org.
https://www.ohchr.org/en/issues/hrandclimatechange/pages/hrclimatechangeindex.asp
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