Infrastructure is crucial for supporting rapid growth and poverty reduction in many emerging Asian countries, including the Philippines.
However, as an archipelago, the Philippines faces unique challenges that necessitate a modern and well-connected infrastructure network.
The Philippines struggles with several infrastructure-related issues. First, there is a pressing need to provide adequate and quality infrastructure, especially in urban areas experiencing some of the fastest growth rates in the world. Second, the country must contend with the accelerating impacts of climate change and the necessity of building resilience.
The OECD policy paper presents the findings from a policy dialogue conducted in the Philippines on incorporating climate resilience into infrastructure planning and development. It offers an overview of current policies and practices and recommendations for the government to enhance infrastructure resilience against climate change and increase future goals.
Climate change risks
According to the policy paper, the Philippines is increasingly exposed to extreme weather events, which have become more frequent and intense over the past few decades and are expected to continue as climate change progresses.
On average, about twenty typhoons hit the country each year, and the Philippines also faces various other climate hazards, including heavy rainfall, floods, landslides, intense heat, droughts, and rising sea levels.
The country has already experienced a warming trend, with average temperatures rising by 0.65°C from 1951 to 2010. Additionally, sea levels increased by 0.15 meters between 1940 and 2017, and this trend is projected to continue. Under a high-emission scenario, average temperatures could rise by up to 2.9°C by the end of the century.
The risk of heat waves is also expected to increase by 52%-76% under moderate and high-emission scenarios. Mindanao, considered the Philippines’ food basket, is projected to experience prolonged heat waves as early as 2050, along with a decrease in precipitation of up to 11%, posing a serious threat to the country’s food supplies and security and its overall economy.
Precipitation patterns are anticipated to become more variable, with increased rainfall in the northern and central regions, while the southern region of Mindanao will likely see a decline in rainfall. High-intensity typhoons are expected to become more frequent, leading to more significant impacts. Sea levels may rise by up to 0.65 meters by 2100, putting approximately one million Filipinos at risk of coastal flooding.
The need for climate-resilient infrastructure
The policy paper defines climate-resilient infrastructure as planned, designed, built, and operated networks to anticipate, prepare for, and adapt to changing climate conditions. The growing risks associated with climate change underscore the need to develop resilient infrastructure to withstand its impacts.
By incorporating climate resilience into their design and operation, infrastructure can better withstand, respond to, and recover quickly from climate-related disruptions, ultimately reducing the severity of these events and minimizing costly repairs and rehabilitation efforts.
Furthermore, investing in climate-resilient infrastructure can yield significant benefits, including increased asset lifespan, higher returns, and improved reliability and efficiency in service delivery. Therefore, integrating climate resilience is a crucial strategic element in developing and upgrading infrastructure networks in the Philippines.
The new Philippine Development Plan: An opportunity to strengthen climate resilience
The Philippine Development Plan (PDP) is the national blueprint and strategic framework for the country’s medium-term economic development.
It outlines a set of socioeconomic targets, including economic growth, poverty reduction, and infrastructure expansion, to foster the country’s economic and social progress. Additionally, the new PDP for 2023-2028 emphasizes the importance of climate resilience and its integration into infrastructure planning.
Progress and challenges
The policy paper details the progress in expanding infrastructure and incorporating climate resilience within the country. Key progress includes increased policies supporting this integration, enhanced risk assessment capabilities achieved through new national and local government tools, and the establishment of no-build zones.
Additionally, updated technical codes have facilitated the inclusion of climate resilience in infrastructure design, and specific criteria for significant projects have been developed.
However, challenges remain, such as the lack of clear standards for climate-resilient infrastructure, which hinders effective planning. Various assessment tools can create confusion and complicate the evaluation of climate resilience features. Moreover, the limited technical capacity at all government levels may slow the adoption of the necessary adaptation measures.
Awareness of climate resilience also varies among sectors. For instance, while the water sector leads in mainstreaming climate resilience and pursuing nature-based solutions, the energy sector focuses on establishing standards.
The ICT sector, primarily driven by private stakeholders, seeks better alignment with national objectives. The transport sector emphasizes strategic fund allocation, and the social sector highlights project prioritization based on risk assessments.
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) oversees socio-economic planning and the Philippine Development Plan (PDP), which sets key infrastructure objectives for the next six years.
A flagship project, the Build-Better-More (BBM) program, aims to invest US$ 243 billion from 2023 to 2028 in critical infrastructure across various sectors, including airports, railways, roads, water resources, and flood control facilities.
The report offers recommendations on how to support NEDA in its role in guiding the country’s infrastructure planning, which revolves around five key strategies:
- Common Guidelines Development: Establish guidelines and a climate-resilient infrastructure label to aid NEDA and practitioners.
- Capacity Building: Implement training programs for planners and practitioners throughout the infrastructure life cycle.
- Streamlined Assessment Processes: The Infrastructure Committee should integrate climate-resilient criteria in project appraisal and approval.
- Dedicated Agency Creation: Form an independent agency or unit within NEDA to certify climate-resilient infrastructure projects.
- Financing Alignment: Establish clear climate-resilient indicators in the PDP to support budget allocations and incentivize private investments in resilience.
Download and read the full policy paper by visiting the link in the Source section below.
Source:
Adapting infrastructure to changing climatic conditions. The case of the Philippines. (2024, September). OECD. Retrieved from https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/adapting-infrastructure-to-changing-climatic-conditions_a4c3f35a-en.html
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