PDP review to factor in climate change

MANILA, Philippines - The ongoing review of the 2011-2016 Philippine Development Plan (PDP) will factor in the impact of climate change and increased natural disasters in the country, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said.

“There is greater realization (of climate change and natural catastrophes) and those were the concerns that were discussed during the last DBCC (Development Budget Coordinating Committee) hearing,” said Emmanuel F. Esguerra, NEDA deputy director general.

He pointed out that updating the PDP has already been initiated and would be ready early next year.

Economic Planning Secretary and NEDA director general Arsenio M. Balisacan said earlier that the updated PDP would be ready by the third year of the Aquino administration, along with the updated Public Investment Program (PIP). The PIP is the national investment program that supports the PDP.

The NEDA officials agreed that in the short term, risk mitigation measures must be put in place not only to preserve human lives, but also to protect gains in the economy, especially the agricultural sector.

“Risk mitigation measures must be in place, especially in the agriculture sector because this (natural catastrophes) is going to be a regular thing,” Esguerra said.

The review will date back two years, which will likewise reset the PDP’s assumptions. The recent destructive weather disturbances clearly magnified the necessity for planning not only for risk mitigations.

Disaster preparedness in light of climate change and recent natural catastrophes, would include measures dealing with resettlement and land use, especially with information available through the geohazard maps.

“The risky places have already been identified,” Esguerra added.

The Philippines has been ranked fourth in Southeast Asia where its urbanized population in inland areas are at risk in terms of flooding.

Recently, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) released a study showing that nearly four million individuals in urban areas are at risk of being flooded, representing nearly 15 percent of Filipinos in urbanized areas.

It stated that roughly three million residents of Quezon City are at risk of being flooded, covering 198 square kilometers.