When typhoons started becoming more frequent and intense in 2004, Philippine civil society organizations (CSOs) directly involved with development work started to rethink their approach to their initiatives. It was a preview of what lies ahead – the adverse impacts caused by the climate crisis on communities. This sparked dialogues that led to collaborative alignments aimed for advocating for climate action.
In 2007, a number of CSOs expressed the necessity and urgency to engage the Philippine government to develop and enact a coherent national climate change policy and strategy that addresses all scales of action – from the local to the multilateral. These groups formed the core for what would be known as the CSO Working Group on Climate Change and Development (CSOWGCCD). Soon after, this group became Aksyon Klima Pilipinas.
For two decades, AKP has been the leading voice representing the civil society sector in critical engagements addressing climate issues with different stakeholders – from global leaders to national agencies, from businesses to local communities – with the ultimate goal of embodying a “whole-of-society” approach to climate action.
LIST OF PREVIOUS CONVENORS
Andres “Chito” Tionko
2009-2011
Philippine Network of Rural Development Institutes, Inc.
Elpidio Peria
2011-2012
Biodiversity, innovation, Trade & Society Policy Center
Melvin Purzuelo
2013-2014
Green Forum Panay Guimaras, Inc.
Shubert Ciencia
2014-2015
Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement
Marita Rodriguez
2016-2018
NGOs for Fisheries Reform
Francis dela Cruz
2018-2020
Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities
LIST OF PREVIOUS COORDINATORS
Rowena Bolinas
2009-2013
Voltaire Alferez
2013-2015
Ruel Cabile
2016
Melvin Purzuelo
2017-2018
Jessica Bercilla
2020-2021 (interim)
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
For the past five years, the story of Aksyon Klima Pilipinas under its current leadership has been one of resilience. From the COVID-19 pandemic to unfavorable environments for civic engagements, the network had to overcome challenges inside and out, while continuing its advocacy for more urgent actions amidst a worsening climate crisis. Over time, the network rebuilt itself and eventually reestablished its presence in national and multilateral global climate advocacy, while expanding its reach to new frontiers. Now, AKP is well-positioned to continue leading the Philippine CSOs in the shared mission for a low-emissions, climate-resilient future.
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Aksyon Klima Pilipinas 