DENR chief to ASEAN: Fast-track shift to low carbon

ANTALYA, Turkey – As Southeast Asia continues to confront extreme weather, rising sea levels, severe typhoons and the El Niño, Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna rallied ASEAN leaders to accelerate low-carbon transitions and secure direct climate finance during the opening of the ASEAN Pavilion at COP31.

Cuna also underscored the importance of the ASEAN Pavilion at the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31) as a platform that extends beyond diplomacy to facilitate stronger regional cooperation.

ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn, Singapore’s Chief Negotiator for Climate Change Joseph Teo, and Indonesian Environment Minister Jumhur Hidayat joined Cuna at the ceremony.

In Manila, the House committee on agriculture and food led by Rep. Mark Enverga has called on state agencies to ensure that El Niño aid funds reach farmers and fisherfolk, as worsening dry spell threatens agricultural production and the country’s food security.

The House leadership also called on the Department of Agriculture to fast-track the release of the remaining P14 billion unspent funds for 2026 to combat the looming super El Niño phenomenon. –  Delon Porcalla