Department of the Interior and Local Government Assistant Secretary Jesi Howard Lanete and German Ambassador Dr. Andreas Michael Pfaffernoschke sign a a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, to implement a five-year program that seeks to empower Philippine cities to lead the way in sustainable, climate-smart urban development amid rising environmental challenges. — Photo from DILG Philippines/Facebook
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) announced that it signed a memorandum of understanding with a German development agency to boost climate-resilient urban development in the Philippines.
In a statement on Tuesday, the DILG said its agreement with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) is part of the Integrated Urban Climate Action for Low-Carbon and Resilient Cities (Urban-Act) Project.
“The project focuses on enhancing the capacities of Philippine cities to mainstream climate change adaptation and mitigation into urban planning,” the DILG explained.
“It promotes stronger policy coherence by integrating national climate policies into local strategies, ensuring tangible, community-level impact,” it added.
READ: DILG launches ‘blueprints’ to bolster development of LGUs
The DILG will lead the implementation of the agreement with assistance from the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development and the Department of Transportation on policy development, technical services and cross-sector collaboration.
Antipolo City in Rizal; Bacolod City in Negros Occidental; and Tagbilaran City in Bohol were selected to test climate-responsive urban development plans before the program is expanded nationwide.
The DILG noted that the initiative is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action’s International Climate Initiative.
The program is also being rolled out in India, Thailand, China and Indonesia. — Maria Jodi Pada, INQUIRER.net intern /das
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