Enviro News Asia, Manila — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) has formed a new Climate Change Task Force to strengthen environmental protection, enforce climate-related laws, and support nationwide resilience initiatives in the Philippines. Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Gerardo Zamudio leads the task force and outlined its mandate during an interview on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon on PTV4 on Monday.
Zamudio said the task force will safeguard natural resources, preserve ecological balance, reduce pollution, and help mitigate the impacts of climate change. He emphasized that maintaining environmental stability—covering land, water, and climate systems—remains the core of its mission.
The task force will coordinate with national and local government agencies to ensure stricter enforcement of key environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Solid Waste Management Act, Climate Change Act, and the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act. Zamudio noted that recent casualties in Cebu and other provinces from severe typhoons reflect rising vulnerabilities linked to climate change.
The initiative mobilizes volunteers from national to provincial levels, who will receive training on environmental and climate laws. Zamudio said the group will adopt a whole-of-nation approach by engaging local governments, indigenous communities, civil society groups, and youth organizations, including NSTP, ROTC, CWTS, and LTS.
He added that the task force plans to expand the use of technology, monitoring platforms, and early warning systems to strengthen climate adaptation efforts. Zamudio encouraged public participation, stressing that wider community involvement is essential to improving climate resilience and protecting vulnerable areas. (*)
