DA forms climate change panel

A climate change panel has been formed by the Department of Agriculture (DA) amid La Niña's expected damage to the agriculture sector.

- BELLA CARIASO

The climate resilient agriculture steering committee is tasked with providing strategic direction in mobilizing DA resources to address climate change.

"In exigency of service, the mainstreaming, integrating and implementing of climate-related policies, plans, projects and activities in our department shall be operationalized as a strategic approach to strengthen our climate resilience efforts, manage the risk of climate-related disasters and contribute to the stability of food supply and prices," said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.

Tiu Laurel issued Special Order No. 703 to operationalize the DA Climate Resilient Agriculture Office, appointing Agriculture Undersecretary for policy, planning and regulations Asis Perez as head of the CRAO.

The committee would harmonize climate action in all DA operating units, including the application of digital technology, Tiu Laurel noted.

It is also authorized to monitor sector-wide climate action planning, he added.