Climate scholar urges compensatory adaptation funding for Filipinos affected by persistent, severe flooding

by Info @Brand Zone | September 9, 2026

Photo: PCO

A well-known climate change scholar said Tuesday that the Philippine government and major global carbon emitters should help pay for climate adaptation strategies for Filipino communities struggling with severe flooding and constant monsoon rains.

In an interview with private media, Atty. Antonio La Viña, associate director for climate policy and head of Klima Center of the Manila Observatory, said, “Ang gobyerno dapat nagsa-subsidize ng lahat ng ito, (adaption strategies). At hindi lang gobyerno natin, dapat ring iyong mga mayayaman na bansa.”

“Kasi sila naman ang unang dahilan kung bakit tayo may climate change. Sila ang nagpapadami ng mga greenhouses gases sa atmosphere,” La Viña said.

With global warming and climate change leading to more severe weather in the Philippines, climate experts and activists believe that vulnerable Filipinos should not bear the cost of a crisis they did not create.

International agreements like the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement say that both national governments and wealthy, high-polluting countries have a legal and moral duty to help pay for these adaptation efforts.

La Viña is once again urging more adaptation funding, especially from countries that release large amounts of greenhouse gases. Countries like the Philippines, which contribute little to pollution, are hit hardest by disasters such as heavy rain and rising sea levels, while major polluters often avoid full responsibility.

Fast, practical steps to adapt

The scholar urged fast, practical action to protect those most at risk.

La Viña said the agricultural sector urgently needs to adapt to extreme weather, which is happening more often and causing serious problems for farmers.

“Ang tawag sa strategy ay adaptation. Kailangan ang mga farmers ay turuan ng bagong paraan mag-farming. Kailangan mag-introduce ng mga bagong crops. Crops na hindi nalulunod. Kahit na nasa tutubig ay bubunga pa rin,” La Viña said.

“May tinatawag na nature-based solution. 'Yung tinatawag natin na integrated water management. Ano ba dapat natin gawin kung sobra 'yung tubig? I-conserve 'yung tubig, 'di ba? Ano gagawin natin kapag kulang tayo ng tubig? Gamitin natin 'yung sobra doon sa panahong sobra sa tubig. All we have to do is manage the water," La Viña said.