Government-Owned and Controlled Corporation (GOCC) LOCAL WATER UTILITIES ADMINISTRATION CHIEF VICENTE HOMER REVIL Ensuring Water Security for the Country The LWUA Administrator explains plans to ensure a safe and affordable water supply for the country. GAMES AND AMUSEMENTS BOARD CHAIRMAN RICHARD SANTOS CLARIN Championing Philippine Sports Find out what drives him, what keeps him going, and how he plans to change the face of Philippine sports. GOCC NATION BCDA New Clark City The New Frontier Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) President and Chief Executive Officer Vivencio Dizon unveils their latest pride and paints a picture of what’s to come at the New Clark City. PSALM President and Chief Executive Officer BY GRACE BAUTISTA Numerous laws have been enacted, but what matters more is implementation and enforcement. ATTY. IRENE JOY BESIDO GARCIA LAGUNA LAKE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Transforming the Lake BY JOYCE REYES-AGUILA Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) General Manager Jaime Medina hits hard at illegal fish pen operators, restoring the balance and reviving the country’s largest freshwater lake, Laguna Lake APGM Rolando Macasaet GIVING BACK TO THE PEOPLE As the GSIS faces potential challenges, Acting President and General Manager Macasaet vows to stand by their commitment. DBP Emmanuel Herbosa Building Possibilities DBP EMMANUEL HERBOSA DBP PCEO Emmanuel G. Herbosa tal ks about effective risk management and pandemic recovery plans.

Our Team. GENER DUNGO Chairman / COO Atty. JAVIER FLORES President / CEO Marketing KEN IMABAYASHI Assistant Manager DANA CADA Marketing Executive TRISHA JADE CABRAL Marketing Executive HAN ZALDY QUIMSON Marketing Executive Editorial GODFREY DANCEL Editor-in-Chief RAGIE MAE ARELLANO Managing Editor NEPHELINE DACUNO Associate Editor TREISHA ROVERO Copy Editor PATRICIA NICOLE SALIMBANGON Editorial Assistant Digital RALLION ABELEDO Digital Marketing Supervisor Zoe Resullar Graphic Designer Graphics PETER TAN Graphic Designer Isabelle Rivera Graphic Artist Associate Production ROMEO PERALTA JR Director of Photography AL NIKKO HAGUIMIT Web Developer Support Group MELANIE PERANG Finance Manager GRACE ANNE LACSON Human Resources Manager Atty. LOREN MARTINEZ Legal Department Manager RACHELL RAFAEL Logistics Manager

Innovation PBBM UNVEILS MAYNILAD’S POBLACION WATER TREATMENT PLANT FOR WATER SECURITY Learn about a revolutionary water treatment plan that will revolutionize sustainable water distribution in the country. A BRIGHT, ELECTRIC FUTURE Renewable and solar energy are increasingly becoming more accessible to the public, as shown in the Future Energy Show & Solar Show. SUNG THOUGHT LEADER: ENG. ROBERT RITO JR. Architect Felino Palafox Jr. BY MAIELLE MONTAYRE BY ENGR. ROBERTO RITO JR. How do you solve a problem like Metro Manila traffic? “In areas prone to flooding, let houses be built to float or built on stilts, elevate the electrical system, and interconnect the buildings with elevated walkways and elevated monorails.” Coming Clean BY MAIELLE MONTAYRE The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) is set to fully implement the master plan on the improvement of sewerage in Metro Manila, and appeals to everyone to also do their share in the quest tosave the Manila Bay

BACK Yes to free Higher Education CHED Chairman Popoy de Vera talks about the breakthroughs of the commission to achieve free education for the Filipino youth. BY MARIEL ABANES PHOTOGRAPHY BY RENJIE TOLENTINO A lot of Filipino students, especially those who are part of the poorest of families, rely on scholarships and financial assistance to be able to attend their graduation rites and accept their diploma. Education comes with a price. And with the growing demands of our society, daily survival alone is a big challenge. What more if you have one or a handful of children to send to school? That’s why for years, free education has been an ongoing call to the government. Previously, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) had rolled out several projects to address the situation. However, it only implemented the free education decree to state universities around the Philippines. While the number of beneficiaries from the said educational relief is steady, students enrolled in local universities and colleges (LUCs) remain dependent solely on their local government unit (LGU) or, worse, their own devices. Then came the Republic Act 10931, also known as the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act in 2017. Providing free tuition and miscellaneous fees to students of state universities and colleges (SUCs), LUCs, and private institutions, more youth are granted access to quality education without the financial strain. YES TO CHANGE The implementation of the law is a big win especially for LUCs. Without the national government assistance in the past, it’s impossible for students not to shell out fees to be paid. This results in students dropping out due to lack of monetary capabilities. When CHED Chairperson Prospero “Popoy” de Vera entered the scene, he was determined to include everyone—even LUCs—to the list of grantees of the commission. Seeing that their students need help the most, it’s only a logical decision to pursue the cause. “I stood up in public and said ‘yes’ to free higher education. That’s a political promise of the President during the campaign. So I am obligated to fight it out,” he recalls. And the rest, as Chairman Popoy says, is history. After the law was passed, de Vera readily worked on things that needed fixing. Having served as vice president of the University of the Philippines (UP) and having sat on the boards of SUCs before, de Vera’s transition to the work as commissioner wasn’t much of a challenge. He already had a vision. Now, all he needs is to take action. In his first year in the position, the chairman created institutional reforms and resolved recurring policy concerns, which covered the exclusion of LUCs in CHED programs. He then gathered and arranged a meeting with the presidents of these campuses. “For the first time, the local universities and colleges became a part of the higher education family,” Chairman de Vera shares. “We established good relations with them, where before, the relations were really adversarial.” Another thing he promised was building a level-playing field among all institutions, whether state, local, or private. “We now require a certificate of program compliance for all degree programs. They must meet minimum requirements for the faculty who teach the course, the curriculum that is used, the facilities, and more,” he further explains. So no matter where a student chooses to pursue his studies, there’s an assurance of quality. INCREASING GRANTEES “In terms of free higher education, the good news is that the budget has been increasing every year,” the commissioner happily reports. “We are able to get the commitment of the legislature and, of course, the President to not only maintain levels of funding, but increase the allotment as well.” In the beginning of 2017, when the house and the senate realigned the budget to CHED, the number of grantees for just free tuition totaled 800,000, spread across 112 state universities. When the Republic Act 10931 was finally passed, the numbers increased to 1,100,000. “From an initial free tuition, we now put free miscellaneous fees, too. Effectively, that doubled the amount of funds that was needed,” Chairman de Vera explains. In that year alone, the budget allocated for the higher education sector skyrocketed to P16 billion. Apart from this, the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) is also being carried out. This extension project of the Free Tuition Law is an additional subsidy given in priority to poor students and students residing in cities and municipalities where there is no public university. It grants receivers P40,000 to P60,000. With an initial 200,000 beneficiaries in its first year, it’s now close to 500,000 students. Presently, recipients of free tuition have reached around 1,635,000. Add to that the number of grantees from TES, as well as the long-running CHED program Tulong Dunong. The current beneficiaries now estimates at around two million students. “Palaki siya ng palaki, ganun ‘yung progression niya. And I am happy na when we go to congress, we are able to get what we want because maganda naman ang implementation ng program. The sheer number has never been tried in any developing country in the world. Walang sumubok niyan, tayo lang,” he proudly states. WELCOMING LUCS The LUCs gained a big win in the passing of the free tuition law. Now that they’re part of the national government assistance, their students can now rest easy with the support being offered. But, of course, nothing comes without a price. As a condition and a way to ensure quality education, CHED mandated that these institutions pass certain institutional standards. In the initial phases of implementation, CHED required schools to either have one or the other of two things: to have institutional recognition or to subject the campus’ degree programs to the certificate of program compliance. While most institutions are able to comply with one; in two years, they have to acquire both qualifications. In due time, CHED, together with the Association of Local Colleges and Universities (ALCU), worked with the schools to achieve the promise. And now, out of 130 LUCs nationwide, 104 are already institutionally recognized. Apart from monetary assistance, CHED also allocated a budget to help schools become smart campuses. With the trend swaying towards greater digital agility, it’s important for academes to “I said ‘yes’ to free higher education. That’s a political promise of the President, so I am obligated to fight it out. ” keep up with the times. Thus, the existence of the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act. With a total budget of P3 billion to equip universities and colleges with technological advances, CHED is allocating gadgets and equipment such as laptops for faculty members. Connectivity is also on the priority list, as well as fiber optics, putting a system to interconnect the offices, adopting a learning management system, or developing source materials. However, the Act has only been applied to SUCs at the moment. But as ALCU president Dr. Ellen Presnedi says, they’re working hard with their members to qualify for the next Bayanihan program of CHED. With all these plans in place and leaders working hand-in-hand for education, the future is looking bright for the next generation of Filipinos.

Innovation NCAA SEASON 99 - SAN BEDA RED LIONS: NCAA MEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS THE SAN BEDA RED LIONS ROARED TO VICTORY IN THE NCAA SEASON 99 MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP, DRIBBLING OBSTACLES AND DUNKING THEIR WAY PAST MAPUA'S CARDINALS. MAN WITH MANNY TALENTS Pacquiao holds the Guinness World Record for “Most Boxing World Titles in Different Weight Divisions.” He is the only octuple world champion who has won the following titles: International Boxing Federation (IBF) Super Bantamweight; International Boxing Organization (IBO) Light Welterweight; The Ring Featherweight and Light Welterweight; and World Boxing Council (WBC) Flyweight, Lightweight, Super Featherweight, and Super Welterweight. FIBA BASKETBALL WORLD CUP 2023 Gilas goes back to the proverbial drawing board as tournament winners bask in triumph. Alyssa Valdez Youth volleyball Camp: Helping Young Aspiring Athletes Star volleyball player Alyssa Valdez launches a training camp to inspire young SPIKERS. AMAZING FILIPINAS: THE NEW TOAST OF THE PHILIPPINE SPORTS WORLD Amazing.” This word aptly describes the 20-month period from January 2022 to August 2023, as the Philippine Women’s National Football Team (PWNFT) completed its transformation from a struggling team to new sports heroines.

Congressman Christopher “Toff” De Venecia Advocating for the Creatives Multi-hyphenate Congressman Christopher “Toff” De Venecia directs the spotlight on our country’s artists. BY HELEN B. HERNANE PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROMEO PERALTA, JR. HMUA BY EFF ALAGADAN JR. T here is a line that artists are very much familiar with: “Walang pera sa (There is no money in the) arts.” And this isn’t something only Filipino creatives have heard. It has become so commonplace that “struggling” often precedes the word “artists.” Whether it’s struggling to provide creative output or financial distress, it is almost expected of everyone entering this industry that they are facing an uphill battle. FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE Pangasinan 4th District Representative Christopher “Toff” De Venecia is familiar with the struggle himself. The Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) alumnus entered the creative industry at a young age, acting in films alongside industry legends such as Sharon Cuneta. He was also part of the sitcom Ober Da Bakod which starred Janno Gibbs, Leo Martinez, and Anjo Yllana. It was something that came naturally, the congressman remarks, as he explained his family’s background in the showbiz industry. His grandfather, Dr. Jose “Doc” Perez, was the general manager and executive producer of Sampaguita Pictures, one of the top film production companies in the 1950s to 1960s. Doc Perez was otherwise known as the “starmaker’’ who helped launch the careers of Gloria Romero, Susan Roces, Amalia Fuentes, Paraluman, Dolphy, Eddie Garcia, Gina Pareño, and many more. De Venecia also shares that one of his aunts is Marichu “Manay Ichu” Perez-Maceda, a movie industry pillar who spearheaded many initiatives such as the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (MOWELFUND), the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP), and even sparked the birth of experimental cinema in the country. While showbiz was something the former child actor enjoyed, giving him a “very interesting childhood,” it was clearly distracting him from his academics. But creative people will always just find another outlet for their ideas and De Venecia turned to writing as he became the sports editor of their school newspaper in grade school. In high school, he joined the HILITES Magazine in AdMU as a features editor, eventually climbing up to associate editor by his senior year. In college, De Venecia thought of joining The Guidon, AdMU’s college newspaper, but found the requirements cumbersome and decided to redirect his energy toward being a member of the student council. Unfortunately, on December 17, 2004, tragedy struck the De Venecia household. Their Makati home was engulfed in flames, claiming the life of De Venecia’s sister, Kristina Casimira “KC.” She was 16 years old. “I had a sort of paradigm shift. There were a lot of things I wanted to pursue, but I never really had the courage to go for them because of fear, anxiety, or insecurity. But with what happened with my sister, I realized that ..... BUY MAGAZINE NOW TO READ FULL ARTICLE BACK

MAYOR MARIA FE "BUBUT" BRONDIAL TABLE OF CONTENTS DOWNLOAD FULL ISSUE HERE FOR FREE! FEATURES STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS A Continued Commitment Read more FEATURES THOUGHT LEADERS One Road, One Belt Initiative Read more FEATURES DTI THE EASE OF DOING BUSINESS A More Inclusive Economy Read more FEATURES GO NEGOSYO Money, Market, Mentorship Read more FEATURES GO LOKAL Promoting PInoyy Read more FEATURES ELEVATING WOMANITY Supporting Women Read more FEATURES SEN. ED ANGARA A Farewell Read more GOVERNANCE IN REVIEW MAYOR FE BRONDIAL Mayor and Mother of Municipalities Read more GOVERNANCE IN REVIEW THE NEW MEGALOPOLIS Pampanga on the Rise Read more GOVERNANCE IN REVIEW CEBU The New ‘Bleisure’ Destination Read more GOVERNANCE IN REVIEW MAYOR JOSEPH VILLAVERDE ASCUTIA A More Progressive Labo, Camarines Norte Read more GOVERNANCE IN REVIEW TALKING POINTS ATTY CHRISTIAN MONSOD + DILG ASEC JONATHAN MALAYA The Future of Federalism Read more GOVERNANCE IN REVIEW REP. ACE BARBERS The Surge of Surigao Del Sur Read more REGULARS ROUND UP Moving Forward Read more REGULARS FESTIVALS Read more REGULARS BARANGAY FORUM Youth Engaged Read more REGULARS SPOTLIGHT Micorro’s Banana Chips Read more REGULARS SOLUTIONS & INNOVATION Drone Era Read more REGULARS FAST FACTS Woven History Read more

BACK Promoting Shared Prosperity The World Bank helps to bridge the gap between the public and private sector, helping countries like the Philippines, bounce back from a crippling pandemic INTERVIEW BY GRACE BAUTISTA Like every organization, across all countries, the World Bank, a 76-year-old global financial institution, has also been greatly affected by the ongoing pandemic. Ndiamé Diop, World Bank Country Director for Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, and Thailand, reveals that the health crisis has hampered progress when it comes to the institution’s two key objectives—to end extreme poverty by 2030 and to promote shared prosperity. But not all hope is lost. The Philippines may have been slower to recover, but there is much more that can be done. Diop shares his thoughts and insights on how the World Bank is helping the country bounce back. 1. What is the focus and what are the goals of the World Bank during this COVID-19 pandemic? Since 2020, the World Bank Group has been delivering a COVID-19 crisis response to help its member-countries strengthen their pandemic response and health care systems. This crisis response covers three stages: relief, restructuring, and resilient recovery, which are anchored on four pillars: saving lives, protecting the poor, securing the foundations of the economy, and strengthening policies and institutions for resilience. The relief stage involves our emergency response to the health threat and its immediate social, economic, and financial impacts. As countries manage the pandemic and re-open their economies, the restructuring stage focuses on strengthening health systems for pandemic readiness; restoring human capital; and restructuring, debt resolution, and recapitalization of firms and financial institutions. Finally, as countries recover from the crisis, the resilient recovery stage takes advantage of opportunities to build a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future. 2. How close is the institution to achieving or completing these objectives? The global pandemic still rages in many parts of the world so the World Bank continues to support its member-countries to respond to the pandemic. The Bank has delivered emergency support operations to over 100 developing countries, and has helped countries access critically needed medical supplies. Acknowledging the importance of vaccination to the overall pandemic response, the Bank has vowed to deliver US$12 billion over the next 24 months for the acquisition and deployment of vaccines and the strengthening of vaccinations systems among developing countries. The pandemic is certainly not over, but the strong collaboration between the World Bank and governments across the world are important steps toward winning the war against COVID-19. 3. According to the World Bank Group mission statement, the goal is to end extreme poverty by 2030. How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect this mission? The COVID-19 pandemic is a once-in-a-lifetime global crisis that has plunged many economies into deep recession. The sudden and significant losses of income and business have led to the deterioration in human capital and has set back the poverty gains achieved by many countries in recent years. While it may now prove to be difficult to achieve this goal to end extreme poverty by 2030, the Bank remains steadfast to address this surmountable challenge. 4. The other goal of the World Bank Group is to promote shared prosperity by increasing the incomes of the poorest 40% of people in every country. What are the major projects in the East Asia and Pacific Region that are working towards completing this objective? World Bank work in the region to promote shared prosperity spans across several areas, including support for private sector growth, climate change mitigation and adaption, disaster risk reduction and management, and the development of human capital (health, education and skills). In the Philippines, the World Bank has been a partner of the government in delivering key social programs to alleviate the conditions, improve capacity, and empower the poor. These programs include the conditional cash transfer under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), which aims to improve the health, nutrition, and education of children aged 0-18; and the Philippine Rural Development Project that aims to increase rural incomes and enhance farm and fishery productivity in the targeted areas by supporting smallholders and fisherfolk to increase their marketable surpluses, and their access to markets.

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BACK The Laws On Nature Numerous laws have been enacted, but what matters more is implementation and enforcement. BY GRACE BAUTISTA Decades after the release of numerous environmental documentaries, the predictions are coming true—untimely typhoons, catastrophic wildfires, melting glaciers, and a wildlife extinction list that is growing every year. Climate change has become a pressing issue, and President Rodrigo Duterte agrees wholeheartedly. The President, for the first time, spoke before the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, appealing to the parties of the Paris Agreement to comply with the terms. “Climate change has worsened the ravages of the pandemic. People in developing countries, like the Philippines, suffer the most. We cannot afford to suffer more,” President Duterte said. “The Philippines joined the Paris Agreement to fight climate change. We call on all parties, especially those who have not made good their commitment to fight climate change, to honor the same.” President Duterte signed the Paris Agreement in 2017, in effect making the Philippines one of 125 participating parties. “We call on all parties to strengthen communities and peoples for preparedness and resilience. We are talking about mankind and Earth, our one and only home,” the President added. Early September, the Duterte Administration proposed a budget of P181.9 billion for projects and departments to address climate change. Around P26.5 billion will go to the Environment Department (Forest Protection Program, National Greening Program, and the Protected Areas Development and Management Program), P2.1 billion is allocated for the Energy Department (Total Electrification Project, and exploration and development of renewable energy sources and technologies), and P128 million is allocated to the National Water Resources Board for water security programs. While there is an allocation in the national budget to address environmental concerns, many are concerned with the strength of laws and legislation to execute key initiatives. With regard to available legislation that protects the environment, “The Philippine government has enacted approximately 118 environment related laws. It would seem that there is sufficient, if not superfluous, environmental law in both substance and form in the Philippines,” says environmental lawyer Antonio A. Oposa Jr. in his article, “Legal Marketing of Environmental Law,” in the Duke Journal of Comparative and International Law. “To repeat, the Philippine environmental law is thorough and complete. The level of implementation, however, suffers in the sickbed of non-compliance.” Here are some of the policies that protect our country’s biodiversity and address global climate: Philippine Environmental Policy (Presidential Decree 1151) Everyone has the right to a safe, clean, and healthy environment. This much is recognized by the Philippine Environmental Policy. In the decree, President Ferdinand Marcos noted the population growth, increasing urbanization, industrial expansion, and rapid natural resources utilization, which “resulted in a piecemeal-approach concept of environmental protection.” This “tunnel-vision concept,” he lamented, was not conducive to attaining an ideal environment where Filipino people can thrive alongside nature. To pursue this cause, government agencies, GOCCs, and private corporations, among others are required to submit an Environmental Impact Statement to assess how every action /project will affect the environment. Philippine Environment Code (Presidential Decree 1152) On June 6, 1977, the Philippine Environment Code was signed, following the Philippine Environmental Policy. As the state of the environment had become a “matter of vital concern to the government,” the Code issued standards, regulation and enforcement, and monitoring and protection measures concerning the quality of air, water, and land. The Code also placed importance on Natural Resource Management and Conservation, which enumerated policies on the following: fisheries and aquatic resources, wildlife, forestry and soil, flood control and natural calamities, energy development, surface and ground waters, and mineral resources. Other sections of the Code focused on waste management and miscellaneous provisions. Toxic Substances, Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Control Act of 1990 (Republic Act 6969) The policy regulates, restricts, and prohibits the importation, manufacture, processing, sale, distribution, use, and disposal of chemical substances and mixtures that present unreasonable risk or injury to health or environment. It also covers the entry (even in transit), keeping, storage, and disposal of hazardous and nuclear wastes in the Philippines. As the implementing agency, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is tasked with keeping an updated inventory of chemicals presently manufactured or used in the country, testing chemical substances and mixtures that present unreasonable risk to health or environment, and evaluating chemical characteristics to determine their toxicity and effects to health and environment, among others. Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 (Republic Act 8749) This law aims to achieve and maintain clean air in the entire country by ensuring to meet the National Air Quality guideline values for criteria pollutants, while minimizing possible economic impact. Under the Act, the state, through the DENR, shall formulate a holistic national program of air pollution management, encourage cooperation and self-regulation among citizens and industries, focus on pollution prevention (rather than control), provide a comprehensive management program for air pollution, promote public information and education, and formulate and enforce a system of accountability for violators. Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (Republic Act 9003) RA 9003 Aims to adopt a systematic, comprehensive, and ecological solid waste management program by ensuring the proper segregation, collection, storage, treatment, and disposal of solid waste. The Act also promotes the use of ecowaste product Local Government Units (LGUs) are primarily responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the Act within their respective jurisdictions. Segregation and collection of solid waste is conducted at the barangay-level for biodegradable, compostable, and reusable wastes. However, the municipality or city is responsible for the collection of non-recyclable materials and special wastes. Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 (Republic Act 9275) RA 9275 Aims to protect the Philippines’ water bodies (fresh, brackish, and marine waters) from pollution coming from land-based sources (industries, commercial establishments, agriculture, and community/household activities). Among its policies are to formulate a holistic national program for water quality management, formulate an integrated water quality management framework, promote commercial and industrial processes and products that are environmentally-friendly and energyefficient, and to promote public information and education. Climate Change Act of 2009 (Republic Act 9729) The Act established the Climate Change Commission (CCC) under the Office of the President as the principal climate policymaking authority. It is tasked to coordinate, monitor, and evaluate the programs and action plans of the government related to climate change. In 2012, the Act was amended by Republic Act 10174. This established the People’s Survival Fund (PSF), which provides long-term climate financing for climate adaptation initiatives by LGUs and people’s organizations. KYOTO PROTOCOL AND DOHA AMENDMENT As one of the signatory parties to the Kyoto Protocol, the Philippines is committed to limiting and reducing our country’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in accordance with the agreed individual objectives. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change asks the countries involved to adopt the agreed policies and mitigation measures and report periodically. Currently there are 192 parties in the Kyoto Protocol, which was adopted on Dec. 11, 1997 and entered into force on Feb. 16, 2005. The first commitment period (2008- 2012) established a target emission reduction of 5%; while the second commitment period (2013-2020) established in Doha, Qatar, on Dec. 8, 2012, set a target of at least 18%. PARIS AGREEMENT On April 22, 2016 (Earth Day), at the UN Headquarters in New York, the Paris Agreement was opened for signatures and reached a total of 125 parties by 2017. The agreement recognized the need for an effective and progressive response to climate change, while also recognizing the special circumstances of developing country parties since these countries are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. The Agreement aims to maintain a global average temperature increase to well below 2° above pre-industrial levels, and limit temperature increase to 1.5° above pre-industrial levels. It also seeks to adapt to climate change impacts, foster climate resilience, and reduce GHG emissions without threatening food production. All parties are required to “put forward their best efforts through Nationally-Determined Contributions (NDCs) and strengthen these efforts in the years ahead.” This includes a regular report on the country’s emissions and implementation efforts and a global stocktake every five years to assess the collective progress. PHILIPPINE GREEN JOBS ACT OF 2016 (REPUBLIC ACT 10771) To foster low-carbon, resilient, sustainable growth and decent job creation, businesses that generate “green jobs” are provided incentives through this law. Green jobs are defined as those which help “protect ecosystems and biodiversity; reduce energy, materials, and water consumption through high-efficiency strategies; decarbonize the economy; and minimize or eliminate the generation of all forms of waste and pollution.” Through this act, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is mandated to formulate a National Green Jobs Human Resource Development Plan, which jumpstarts the transition of the country into a green economy.