ICSC on Habagat impacts: Invest in long-term climate solutions
Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities REACTIVE QUEZON CITY, 20 August 2026 –– With the southwest monsoon (Habagat) bringing heavy rainfall to several parts of Luzon, Philippine-based climate and energy policy NGO Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) emphasizes that beyond hard infrastructure, effective flood resilience requires long-term climate solutions that integrate nature-based solutions, early warning systems, and community-driven initiatives. In detail, ICSC Executive Director Angelo Kairos dela Cruz said: “Metro Manila and nearby provinces have been experiencing heavy rainfall for almost three weeks now, with Filipinos being exposed to daily flooding that submerges their homes, [...]
[ENG] An mga Bantay han Dagat (Ang mga bantay ng dagat)
An mga Bantay han Dagat (The Wardens of the Sea) By Sophia Kaye Fernandez The faces, smiles, and laughter of the fisherfolk in Eastern Samar are already familiar. When they see me, they often smile and greet me with a “ma’am” at the end of their sentences, which makes me feel older than I actually am. I grew up in an area where farming is the more common livelihood, so it has always fascinated me to see, up close, the lives of people whose livelihoods depend on the sea. It was there that [...]
An mga Bantay han Dagat (Ang mga bantay ng dagat)
An mga Bantay han Dagat (Ang mga bantay ng dagat) By Sophia Kaye Fernandez Hindi na bago sa akin ang mukha, ngiti, at mga bungisngis ng mga mangingisda sa mga lugar na pinagtatrabahuhan namin sa Eastern Samar. Kapag nakikita nila ako, ngingiti sila at babati na may kasamang “ma’am” sa hulihan, na tila ba ako ay mas matanda sa kanila. Lumaki ako sa lugar na mas karaniwan ang pagsasaka bilang hanapbuhay ng mga tao, kaya bago sa akin ang masaksihan nang malapitan ang buhay ng mga taong ang araw-araw na trabaho ay nakasalalay sa [...]
Eastern Visayas communities prove that strong climate action is locally-led
Eastern Visayas has long been recognized as one of the most-climate vulnerable regions in the country. Frequently affected by the impacts of typhoons and other climate-related hazards, the communities have consistently shown their resilience.. But beyond its impact on people, the climate crisis also threatens the region’s rich ecosystem and biodiversity. In turn, Eastern Visayas communities are taking action, ensuring that their localities are able to adapt and become resilient to the impacts of the changing climate. Generating local knowledge to support climate science and community resilience Representatives from local government units, academic institutions, community organizations, and [...]
ICSC reacts to 5th SONA: Promising developments underway, but do not lose sight of climate action and resilience
QUEZON CITY, 28 July 2026 – Responding to the fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. yesterday, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) Executive Director Angelo Kairos dela Cruz said: “In this year’s SONA, President Marcos was firm: the welfare of Filipinos is his top priority, as it should be. Over the last year, the Philippines faced significant economic challenges, with the energy crisis directly impacting the costs of services, from transportation to electricity, even food. We appreciate the updates on the country’s immediate response the past few months, however, what our [...]