The government secured a $10-million fund to build climate-resilient water supply systems in Tawi-Tawi under the United Nations' Adaptation Fund (AF) for developing countries.

The Department of Finance on Wednesday said this is the country's first access to the AF through the AF Board, which has allowed a member country a maximum fund of $40 million.

Climate change mitigation

For this year, the AF Board targets a total spending of $300 million in mitigating climate change and protecting vulnerable communities from its impacts.

All these were discussed in the recent AF Board's 44th Meeting in Bonn, Germany on 8 to 11 April.

The Tawi-Tawi project includes the construction of renewable energy facilities and skills development on water management for residents of Sibutu and Sitangkai municipalities.

Project implementation will be led by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization and the Mindanao Development Authority.

Meanwhile, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources was chosen as the Designated Authority of the AF.

Safeguarding seaweed farmers’ livelihood

"By enhancing water security, we are not only safeguarding the livelihoods of our seaweed farmers but also reinforcing the economic foundations of the communities affected by climate change," said DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga.

"It is, more importantly, an assertion of our promise that no Filipino will be left behind in our nation’s pursuit of climate resilience and sustainable development," stressed Department of Finance Secretary Ralph Recto.