Philippines policies in response to a changing climate: a review of natural resource policies.

Will national decision makers ever change their minds Researchers think they should as the threat of climate change continues to emerge. Policy makers do not see climate change (adaptation) as a high priority issue in the context of national development plans yet. This is an attempt to provide a comprehensive and updated documentation of policies and programs in the natural resources and agriculture sectors in the Philippines, each of which is examined and assessed in terms of their impact on the vulnerability, or promotion or hindrance to the adaptation, of natural ecosystems and rural communities to climate variability, climate extreme, and climate change. The increasing degradation of natural ecosystems and rapid depletion of natural resources have been recognized as significant contributors to the country's ecological and socio-economic problems, and eventually led to incorporating environmental dimensions into national development planning. National policies were then developed and established for the integrated environmental protection and natural resources management of the country. Sectoral legislation deals with three main sectors: natural resources (forestry, fishery, and mineral resources) management and conservation, pollution control, and land use planning and management – all of which relate in one way or another to climate change. This section discusses some government actions, policies, and programs in relation to climate change in the country. The main features of selected Philippine policies on environment and natural resource management, and their respective possible impacts relating to climate change

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