The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), under the visionary leadership of Chairperson and Secretary Dante “Klink” Ang II, has embarked on a landmark initiative aimed at integrating climate action and sustainability into its core programs, fostering a transformative partnership with UN Sasakawa Laureate and world-renowned science diplomat Glenn Banaguas. This collaboration seeks to harness the collective power of overseas Filipinos, enabling them to become key drivers in global environmental resilience and sustainability innovation.
At the core of this strategic partnership is the Programs for Climate Action in the Diaspora, a bold initiative designed to engage Filipinos worldwide in climate resilience efforts. Recognizing the immense potential of the diaspora, this program empowers overseas Filipinos to contribute directly to sustainable development through participation in renewable energy projects that accelerate the shift to clean, affordable, and efficient energy solutions, community-driven reforestation programs that restore degraded lands, improve biodiversity conservation, and promote carbon sequestration; and climate-smart enterprises that integrate sustainable agriculture, eco-friendly innovations, and environmentally responsible business models into the global market. By bridging scientific expertise, CFO ensures that Filipinos abroad do not only remain connected to their homeland but actively shape its future, contributing to national and global climate resilience.
Another critical pillar of this collaboration focuses on education and capacity-building for CFO stakeholders, ensuring that climate science, resilience planning, and sustainability literacy become integral to diaspora engagement. Through the Community Education Program (CEP), targeted workshops, and interactive learning platforms, overseas Filipinos will gain in-depth knowledge on climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and environmental sustainability, allowing them to understand climate-related challenges affecting their communities and industries; develop localized, actionable solutions that support the environmental policies of their home regions; and promote sustainable financing strategies that align with national and international environmental goals. By equipping Filipinos worldwide with scientific tools and evidence-based knowledge, CFO fosters an engaged global citizenry capable of driving meaningful change in their countries of residence and in the Philippines.
This landmark partnership is deeply aligned with CFO’s well-established programs, including LINKAPIL (Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino) and Peso Sense, which have long served as platforms for diaspora-led contributions to national development. By integrating climate resilience, sustainability, and science-based governance into these initiatives, CFO solidifies its role as a catalyst for environmentally conscious policies and community-driven innovation. Furthermore, CFO’s commitment to sustainability reinforces the priorities outlined in the Philippine Development Plan and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring a multi-sectoral approach to achieving environmental security, equity, and resilience. This initiative aligns with the global movement for climate justice, ensuring that Filipino communities across borders actively engage in reducing environmental vulnerabilities; strengthens cross-sector partnerships, including academic institutions, government agencies, private enterprises, and environmental organizations, to create a holistic, science-driven approach to climate adaptation and sustainability; and expands CFO’s role beyond traditional diaspora engagement, transforming it into a key influencer in the global discourse on climate action and resiliency-building.
Through these pioneering efforts, CFO continues to champion the engagement of Filipinos across borders, harnessing their expertise, influence, and passion to shape a sustainable future for the Philippines and the global community. By integrating science-based strategies, community-driven action, and environmental diplomacy, CFO strengthens its commitment to empowering Filipinos to become leaders in climate resilience, environmental protection, and sustainability innovation.
This collaboration between CFO and Glenn Banaguas represents more than a shared vision. It is a catalyst for change, mobilizing the Filipino diaspora to drive long-term environmental impact, bolster disaster preparedness, and promote ethical sustainability governance on a global scale. Together, they set a new benchmark for diaspora engagement in climate action, proving that Filipinos worldwide are not just contributors to their homeland’s growth, they are architects of its sustainable future.