SK funds eyed for climate change programs

CEBU, Philippines - The Sangguniang Kabataan Fund of different barangays nationwide is now eyed as source of funding for Climate Change Adaptation programs.

Senator Loren Legarda is set to sponsor the People’s Survival Fund bill, which would create a special trust fund for the financing of adaptation programs and projects based on the National Strategic Framework and the National Climate Change Action Plan.

Legarda, who chairs the Senate Committee on Climate Change, said she will look into the possibility of using part of the SK funds as source of finances for the country’s climate change adaptation programs and projects.

She said the 10 percent share of the SK from the barangay general fund can be used for more productive and long-term programs such as environment- and climate-related projects that would make all communities around the country disaster-resilient.

“Instead of using SK funds for projects such as barangay contests and the like, which do not provide long term benefits,” Legarda said in a statement. Legarda added this will also help raise youth awareness on environmental preservation and turn them into ecological warriors or climate heroes.

The source of funds in the proposed People’s Survival Fund shall be from public sources, foreign or local, including 10 percent from cash dividends declared by all government-owned and controlled corporations; five percent of the proceeds from the sale of certified or verified emissions reduction carbon credits generated from domestic activities; and 10 percent of the monies collected under Republic Act   8794, otherwise known as the Motor Vehicle User’s Charge.

Other sources for counterpart funding arrangements are among local governments including the SK, community organizations, the private sector, and other entities.

Legarda said a major stumbling block to the climate resiliency efforts has been the less than serious efforts at the community level to undertake adaptation measures because resources are scarce.

“We have to use the limited resources of our country wisely and using it for climate change adaptation is a wise investment that would not only save lives but also prevent millions worth of damages when natural hazards strike,” she added. —/WAB (FREEMAN)