Forum on Climate Change and Financing Options for FFOs

Forum on Climate Change and Financing Options for FFOs

The Climate Change and Financing Option Forum, held on October 28–29, 2025, at the Lamitan City Gymnasium, was organized under the WEE-SAFE Project in partnership with the City Agriculture Office of Lamitan to strengthen the capacity of farmers’ and fisherfolk organizations in addressing climate change through resilience-building and access to sustainable financing. The first day focused on climate adaptation, featuring discussions on regional climate impacts, climate-smart agriculture, and disaster risk reduction, with experts from Western Mindanao State University and Basilan State College highlighting adaptive farming practices, hazard preparedness, and the use of forecasting tools such as Project SARAi to guide crop planning. The second day emphasized financial empowerment through presentations from the Agricultural Credit Policy Council, Al-Amanah Islamic Investment Bank of the Philippines, and the Ministry of Trade, Investments, and Tourism’s PESO Program, promoting financial literacy, responsible borrowing, and inclusive credit options for agri-fishery enterprises. Participants shared that the forum enhanced their understanding of climate-smart practices, disaster preparedness, and accessible financing, reinforcing the importance of coordinated action among LGUs, NGOs, and national agencies to build resilient livelihoods. The activity concluded with a collective commitment to pursue localized climate solutions, strengthen partnerships, and support the development of a practical climate-smart agriculture and fishery manual to guide sustainable enterprise growth in Lamitan City.