Inception meeting for the implementation of the ClimEx.db

The Climate Change Commission, the implementing agency of Project Climate Twin Phoenix, is organizing a meeting for the establishment of an exposure database with potential partners from the four Typhoon-Pablo-affected municipalities of New Bataan in Compostela Valley, and Baganga, Boston, and Cateel in Davao Oriental. Typhoon Pablo, which caused rain-induced landslides and heavy flooding in 2012, clearly demonstrated the vulnerability of rural coastal municipalities to extreme weather events and such events’ impact to the communities’ population, economic activities, and environment.

To be held in Davao City on June 4, this year, the meeting will gather key coordinators from the municipal and provincial planning and development offices and resource persons from the University of the Philippines Mindanao to discuss the implementation of the Climate Change Exposure Database or ClimEx.db.

ClimEx.db is a tool designed to help communities and cities in planning their land use and development while incorporating preventive measures to adapt to the effects of climate change in their localities. It provides geo-referenced data on population, buildings, infrastructure and economic activities of areas, which are considered high-risk for flooding or which are predisposed to the impacts of climate change.

“The ClimEx.db will be used to strengthen our communities’ technical knowledge in assessing their climate and disaster risks, specifically when indentifying the location of their most vulnerable populations and infrastructure,” says CCC Vice Chairperson, Secretary Lucille Sering.

Initially developed under Project Climate Twin Phoenix for Cagayan De Oro and Iligan Cities, the ClimEx.db will now be replicated in the four municipalities, which will benefit from the lessons and experience of the recently concluded survey in Iligan City, as well as with the ongoing survey in Cagayan de Oro City.

This meeting will be held in the framework of the Climate Change Commission program “Enabling the cities of Cagayan De Oro and Iligan and the provinces of Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental to cope with climate change” implemented by Project Climate Twin Phoenix to put in place a long-term capacity development programme for cities and municipalities, addressing disaster risks from climate change and other related natural hazards. Project Climate Twin Phoenix is assisted by the United Nations Development Programme and the Government of Australia.