The US Embassy in Manila stated Wednesday that the US and South Korea are collaborating through a PHP 111.5 million grant to help improve the capacity of six Philippine cities in adapting to, mitigating, and managing the effects of climate change.
On March 22, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) inked a grant cooperation agreement that will support USAID's bigger PHP 836.5 million climate-resilient cities initiative.
According to the embassy, KOICA's technical assistance would help Batangas, Borongan, Cotabato, Iloilo, Legazpi, and Zamboanga create and implement climate adaptation technology guidelines.
Over 180 Philippine officials and stakeholders will also be invited to participate in capacity-building programs in both the Philippines and Korea.
The six cities and other stakeholders will be assisted by USAID and KOICA in efficiently disseminating climate-related information to local residents.
The collaboration will also assist local governments in increasing access to climate finance for economic and social development as well as promoting natural climate solutions.
Furthermore, the US and Korean governments will form a collaboration to prevent and reduce marine pollution in Manila Bay.
Following the signing of a memorandum of understanding in April 2021, the two development agencies agreed to collaborate strategically on priority programs, including climate change-related initiatives, to advance development in the Philippines.
Meanwhile, USAID Philippines Mission Director Ryan Washburn cited the US and Korea's seven-decade-long cooperation in achieving mutual goals in the region.
According to the embassy, the Philippines frequently ranks high in global assessments of climate change risk and susceptibility.
The 2022 World Risk Index said that the Philippines ranks #1 out of 193 countries with the highest catastrophic risks.
