Urban Resilience Investment Forum 2020

Speaker:

1. Deputy Speaker Loren B. Legarda, Lone District Representative, Antique and Commissioner, Global Commission Adaptation

It is evident that, while against a backdrop of the pandemic response, our cities need to take stock of the city-level climate investment opportunities at hand. In this session we will uncover the current support landscape relating to local climate-smart solutions investments. Our speaker will present the opportunities and challenges in making finance flow and how national and local authorities together with other stakeholders can bridge the climate finance gap.

Moderator:

1. Maria Adelaida “Laids” M. Cea, Asia Pacific Regional Coordinator, Cities and Climate Change Initiative, UN-Habitat

Panellists:

1. Rustico Noli D. Cruz, Vice President, Program Development and Management, Development Bank of the Philippines
2. Asec. Romell Antonio Cuenca, Deputy Executive Director, Climate Change Commission
3. Dyfed Aubrey, Inter-Regional Adviser, UN-Habitat Cities Investment Facility (CIF)
4. Atty. Shereen Gail Yu-Pamintuan, Executive Director, League of Cities of the Philippines
5. Gene S. David, Assistant Vice President, Program Management Group, Landbank of the Philippines

Given the impact of the COVID-19 crisis to the country’s economy, what are the possible climate adaptation strategies to help us achieve more resilient cities? In this session, we will analyse the available financing mechanisms and instruments and funding sources that cities can utilize, avenues for collaboration, as well as promising and innovative models in order to foster more climate-smart investments.

Speakers:

1. Richard Gomez, Mayor, Ormoc City Government and City Technical Working Group

The proposed Ormoc Urban Waterscape Project is part of the urban ecosystems-based adaptation strategy of the city to address flooding, urban heat stress and storm surge that endanger fisherfolks, farmers, and urban dwellers. It will adopt natural, nature-based, and engineering design solutions at various scales that integrate the principle of sustainable water resource use. The project scope will include the lower Malbasag River and part of Barangay Can-adieng. Mayor Richard Gomez and the technical working group will explain how the city plans to use urban design solutions to promote climate resilience and at the same time contribute to green economic recovery.

Speakers:

1. Carmelo Lazatin, Jr., Mayor, Angeles City Government and City Technical Working Group

Can a public space be re-designed to address the negative impacts of climate change in a landlocked city? Mayor Carmelo Lazatin, Jr. and the technical working group will be pitching their ideas for the Angeles Aquipark project situated along the Abacan River. Learn about how they plan to apply nature-based design interventions to help create a cooler microclimate for the local residents and improve groundwater capacity of the city.

Speakers:

1. Oscar Moreno, Mayor, Cagayan de Oro City Government and City Technical Working Group

The driving force of Cagayan de Oro’s Project LUNHAW (‘Green’ in Cebuano) is to create an urban-friendly green space by transforming vacant spaces along the city hall riverside and Poblacion area into climate adaptive and innovative recreational areas for various activities (e.g. picnics, biking, jogging, etc.). The project aims to address major climate issues such as flooding and rising urban temperature. Mayor Oscar Moreno and the technical working group will explain how they plan to use LUNHAW project to mitigate flooding, enhance water management, improve microclimate, and generate co-benefits on public health and local economic development.

Speakers:

1. Noel Rosal, Mayor, Legazpi City Government and City Technical Working Group

Mayor Noel Rosal and the technical working group will share the vision of a sustainable urban streetscape for its residents. As the communities face the dangers of flooding, sea-level rise and increasing urban temperatures, the CRUS project will transform the city’s design to have more sufficient pedestrian lanes, an improved drainage system and greener pathways. The team will be pitching their urban adaptation strategy and CRUS project to attain a more climate-resilient Legazpi City.

Speakers:

1. Allan Rellon, Mayor, Tagum City Government and City Technical Working Group

Tagum’s “Tagumpay Citywalk” Project is part of the overall climate adaptation strategy and long-term development plan of the city. Guided by urban ecosystems-based approach and strong stakeholder participation, the project integrates several adaptation measures to address the projected impacts of flooding and increasing temperature in the city’s-built area. Mayor Allan Rellon and the technical working group will explain how they plan to protect its most vulnerable residents and businesses by introducing holistic and integrated urban design solutions.

Speakers:

1. Atty. Rachel Anne S. Herrera, Commissioner, Climate Change Commission
2. Gene S. David, Assistant Vice President, Program Management Group, Landbank of the Philippines
3. EnP. Nora L. Diaz, Director, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development
4. Lyn I. Javier, Managing Director for Policy and Specialized Supervision, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
5. James Donovan, Chief Executive Officer, ADEC Innovations
6. Andy Deacon, Director of Strategy and Operations, Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy
7. Christopher Rollo, Country Programme Manager, UN-Habitat Philippines

The closing plenary will consider the next steps, policy direction, and synthesis of learnings from the overall forum. The resource persons will be providing inputs and reactions based on discussions on climate finance and planned city actions on climate and green, sustainable recovery.