The Climate Change Commission (CCC) has ramped up its grassroots initiatives by training local government units (LGUs) on climate planning and budget tracking to strengthen local resilience against the worsening impacts of climate change.

In a news release on Wednesday, the CCC said it has held workshops in Caloocan City and Aklan province as part of its ongoing climate mainstreaming efforts, focused on enhancing local capacities to develop and implement the Local Climate Change Action Plan (LCCAP) and adopt Local Climate Change Expenditure Tagging (LCCET).

CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert EA Borje stressed that effective climate action begins at the grassroots.

“By aligning programs with community-specific needs, we ensure efficient use of resources and foster resilience where it matters most,” he said.

The CCC said that the LCCAP and LCCET are key tools that help communities align resources with climate-responsive programs.

The LCCAP is a strategic roadmap for local adaptation and mitigation efforts, integrating science-based planning to address community-specific vulnerabilities.

Meanwhile, LCCET builds on the national Climate Change Expenditure Tagging (CCET) system, which allows LGUs to track and prioritize climate programs in their Annual Investment Plans, ensuring transparency in climate budgeting and supporting President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s push for open governance and inclusive development.

“CCET not only helps prepare communities for climate risks but ensures every peso is accounted for and directed toward climate-smart development,” Borje added.

The CCC noted the crucial synergy between LCCAP and LCCET, stating that while the LCCAP outlines what needs to be done, while the LCCET ensures those plans are financially supported and effectively monitored.

The two programs, when implemented correctly, enable LGUs to convert data-driven planning into real-world outcomes.

“Through these capacity-building initiatives, we pave the way for a climate-resilient and climate-smart Philippines – one community at a time,” Borje said. (PNA)