ADB supports the Philippines to increase flood resilience

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $303 million loan to reduce climate and flood risks and protect people and livelihoods in three major river basins in the Philippines, one of the most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate change and disasters caused by natural hazards.

The Integrated Flood Resilience and Adaptation Project – Phase 1 will improve and construct flood protection infrastructure in the Abra River Basin, Northern Luzon, and the Ranao/Agus and Tagum-Libuganon River Basins. , in the southern region of Mindanao.

The infrastructure takes into account the future effects of climate change and incorporates nature-based solutions, such as restoring and reconnecting ancient river channels for natural drainage and reinforcing riverbanks with mangroves and planting vegetation.

“Climate change is expected to increase risks from extreme weather events. These river basin communities are highly vulnerable to climate-related hazards, as we have seen in recent years when typhoons destroyed infrastructure, displaced families and damaged crops,” said Junko Sagara, ADB Senior Water Resources Specialist.

“The project will help reduce these risks and improve income and livelihood opportunities, especially for the poor and vulnerable.”

The project will help strengthen the Philippines’ capacity to carry out flood risk management planning by training public officials, installing equipment for weather and river flow monitoring and flood early warning, and the introduction of an information system for asset management.

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The project aims to boost community-based flood risk management by helping 22 local government units and some 150 barangays update their climate and disaster risk assessments and integrate flood risk management into local development plans.

Training activities will be carried out to train communities in adapting to climate change and managing flood risks. The project will include civil society organizations and beneficiary groups in its planning and execution.

The feasibility study and project design were supported by the ADB’s Infrastructure Readiness and Innovation Facility, which since 2017 has been helping Philippine government agencies access information on up-to-date technology and innovative designs in the construction of large infrastructure projects. infrastructure.

The project is aligned with the Philippine government’s climate priorities under its National Climate Change Action Plan, 2011-2028, and the Philippine Development Plan, 2023-2028.

It is complemented by the policy reforms being carried out under the ADB Climate Change Action Programme, which is the bank’s first loan based on climate action policies, and the Competitive and Inclusive Agricultural Development Programme, which aims to increase the resilience and productivity of agriculture and improve food security.