The harsh summer heat has barely eased, yet June has already brought sudden, heavy rains that have disrupted commutes, flooded streets and forced the suspension of classes in several parts of the country.

For many Filipinos, this is no longer unusual but is part of a recurring pattern — one that has become increasingly erratic, intense and difficult to predict. It is a stark reminder that the Philippines, owing to its geography and exposure to natural hazards, remains among the countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

Recognizing this reality, Congress enacted Republic Act (RA) 9729, otherwise known as the Climate Change Act of 2009, later strengthened by Republic Act 10174, or the People’s Survival Fund Act. Together, these laws form the backbone of the country’s legal response to the rapidly changing climate and reflect the State’s commitment to building resilience against environmental risks.

RA 9729 is the first Philippine law to expressly acknowledge the dangerous consequences of climate change and the urgent need for disaster risk reduction and adaptive governance. It emphasizes that addressing climate change is not solely a national government responsibility but a shared undertaking involving local government units, businesses, non-government organizations (NGOs), civil society and the public. Through broad participation, the law seeks to reduce the adverse impacts of a crisis that affects every sector of society.

The law created the Climate Change Commission (CCC), the principal policy-making body tasked with coordinating, monitoring and evaluating government programs on climate change.

The Commission was mandated to formulate a National Framework Strategy on Climate Change to serve as the basis for a National Climate Change Action Plan. These measures are intended to assess the country’s vulnerability to climate change, identify communities most at risk, manage climate-related hazards and develop appropriate adaptation strategies.

RA 9729 likewise assigned specific responsibilities to various government agencies. The Department of Education was directed to integrate climate change concepts into educational curricula at all levels. The Department of the Interior and Local Government was tasked with facilitating climate-related training programs for LGUs, while the Department of Environment and Natural Resources was directed to establish a climate change information management system and network. These provisions underscore the law’s recognition that climate adaptation requires a whole-of-government approach.

Despite these significant reforms, RA 9729 had a notable limitation: it did not provide a dedicated and sustainable source of funding for climate adaptation and resilience projects. That gap was addressed in 2012 through RA 10174, which established the People’s Survival Fund (PSF). The law provided for an annual allocation of at least one billion pesos from the General Appropriations Act, subject to augmentation through grants, donations and other contributions.

The PSF finances adaptation programs and projects, including climate forecasting, early warning systems, risk insurance for farmers and other initiatives designed to strengthen community resilience. The fund is administered by the People’s Survival Fund Board, chaired by the Secretary of Finance and composed of representatives from key government agencies, as well as the academic, business, and non-government sectors.

RA 10174 likewise expanded the advisory board of the CCC by including the Secretaries of the Department of Budget and Management and the Department of Finance, together with representatives from the youth sector.

As our summers grow longer and hotter and the rainy seasons become increasingly unpredictable, these laws become even more relevant. They are more than policy declarations. They are legal commitments ensuring that government institutions possess both the mandate and the means to prepare for a climate that can no longer be taken for granted.

Ultimately, RA 9729 and RA 10174 recognize a simple but vital truth: adaptation to climate change cannot be left to chance or charity. It requires foresight, coordinated action and sustained funding so that when the rains come too early or the heat lingers too long, our communities will not be unprepared.