The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region III conducted a regional forum on Mainstreaming Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction (CCA-DRR) in Local Development Planning on October 9, 2015 at Subic Bay Travelers Hotel, Subic Freeport Zone, Zambales.

The forum aims to organize Regional Composite Teams comprised of government agencies, academe and CSOs and forge partnerships among them to assist target local government units (LGUs) in mainstreaming CCA and DRR in their local development plans. It also advocates and promotes the concept of disaster preparedness among LGUs in Region III as well as to encouragethe public on their respective tasks and roles before, during and after a disaster.

The conduct of the activity is in line with the DILG's mandate of assisting LGUs on the completion of local plans such as the Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan (PDPFP), Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) and Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP). This is also in adherence to Republic Act 10121 otherwise known as the "Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010" and Republic Act 9729 or the "Climate Change Act".

Local Chief Executives, DILG Officers, Local Planning and Development Officers, Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Officers, National Government Agencies (NGAs), Academe and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)in the Region participated in the said activity.

Various NGAs such as DENR, DOST-PAGASA and PHIVOLCS discussed their respective presentations on how information on hazards may be used in local planning and also the climate change situation in the Philippines.

Other highlights of the affair include the presentation of LGU needs and menu of technical assistance and service providers, tools for integrating climate and disaster risks in Local Development Planning and the harmonization of Plans of CLUP, CDP and Local Climate Change Adaptation Plan (LCCAP).