Malacañang welcomed a US$10 million grant from a multilateral agency to help climate-vulnerable towns in Tawi-tawi secure safe, reliable water access amid growing climate challenges.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the project, dubbed “Harnessing the Water-Energy-Food Nexus to Address and Adapt to Climate Change Impacts in Tawi-Tawi,” will specifically benefit the towns of Sibutu and Sitangkai.

“Nakakuha ang Pilipinas ng US$10 million mula sa Adaptation Fund para sa isang proyekto sa Tawi-Tawi. Partikular na susuportahan nito ang mga bayan ng Sibutu at Sitangkai para masiguro ang ligtas at matatag na access sa tubig sa harap ng tumitinding mga hamon dala ng climate change,” Castro said in a press briefing at Malacañang.

According to its website, the Mindanao Development Authority reported that the initiative, focused on improving water security in Sibutu and Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi, is the Philippines’ first project funded by the Adaptation Fund. It aims to benefit over 71,000 residents in the island province by providing access to safe water and supporting the local seaweed industry.

The Philippines has secured its first grant from the multilateral agency Adaptation Fund to finance projects that will improve access to safe water and support the local seaweed industry in the island province of Tawi-Tawi.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources will work with other stakeholders to ensure that the adverse impacts of and risks posed by climate change in the water management sector in Tawi-Tawi are adequately addressed.

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization and the Mindanao Development Authority will implement the project. | PND