MANILA, Philippines - Secretary Lito Atienza has created a Climate Change Office (CCO) at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to “strengthen” his office’s position as lead agency for climate change mitigation and adaptation initiatives.
Atienza issued Administrative Order No. 2009-04 last March 31, creating the CCO to also rationalize development and implementation of programs and policies on climate change.
The AO states that an executive director, who will be appointed and/or designated by the DENR Secretary, will head the CCO, which will be under the direct supervision of the Secretary.
“The CCO shall serve as the coordinating mechanism internally among DENR offices as well as externally, with other national government agencies, non-government organizations (NGOs), and local government units (LGUs),” it says. – Katherine Adraneda