By Kenneth Marcos 
In a move to put women at the heart of climate action, the Climate Change Commission (CCC) and the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) launched a joint work plan this week. The initiative aims to strengthen gender-responsive and inclusive climate policies, ensuring women’s voices and leadership are central in national and local climate programs.
The agreement, unveiled during the Climate Change Commission Week, highlights the urgent need to close gender gaps in climate planning, implementation, and monitoring. By integrating women’s perspectives into climate governance, both agencies hope to build more resilient communities that benefit everyone.
CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje stressed the importance of women in shaping climate policies. “We recognize that truth—not by placing women on the margins of our frameworks, but by putting them at the center of our climate actions, policies, and investments,” Borje said. He added that the success of the program will be measured in the everyday lives of Filipinos—through safer communities, stronger livelihoods, and empowered women driving climate decisions.
The work plan sets clear goals: enhance gender-responsive climate policies and systems, strengthen institutional commitment to gender initiatives, and ensure climate programs nationwide apply a gender lens from design to delivery. Key outcomes include nationwide consultations with significant women’s representation for the Gender Action Plan of the National Adaptation Plan and the Nationally Determined Contribution, as well as institutionalizing gender-responsive standards and tools across all sectors.
PCW Chairperson Ermelita V. Valdeavilla, represented by Executive Director Nharleen Santos-Millar, noted the value of collaboration. “This partnership allows us to combine efforts, raise awareness, and inspire action more effectively than we could alone. Like twins, it reminds us that we are stronger and more effective when we move together toward a common goal,” she said.
Also present at the signing were CCC Commissioner Rachel Anne S. Herrera and PCW Deputy Executive Director for Management Services, Macario Jusayan.
The CCC continues to work with various agencies and partners to advance inclusive, gender-responsive, and people-centered climate action that strengthens resilience across all sectors. This partnership underscores the growing recognition that climate solutions are most effective when women are actively involved in every stage of decision-making.
Pwersa Balita – Your Trusted Source in Agri News