President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed today the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9729, otherwise known as the Philippine Climate Change Act of 2009.

The law was enacted to institutionalize government efforts to prepare the country for the worst effects of climate change.

On hand in the signing ceremony in Malacanang this morning were Presidential Adviser on Climate Change Heherson Alvarez and Environment Secretary Eleazar Quinto.

President Arroyo signed RA 9729 into law on Oct. 23 last year.

The first of its kind in the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), RA 9729 formulates a strategy of climate change mitigation and adaptation for implementation from the national to provincial, city/town, and down to barangay level.

The law created the Climate Change Commission, headed by the President herself, the sole policy making body of the government tasked to coordinate, monitor and evaluate the programs and action plans on climate change.

The IRR outlines the powers and functions of the Commission and all duties and responsibilities of all concerned agencies, including local government units (LGUs).

Among these powers and functions is the formulation of an action plan for implementation down to the barangay level, with emphasis on risk management and reduction.

The Philippines, being vulnerable to climate change, called for deep and early cuts in greenhouse gas emissions particularly, directing the appeal to highly industrialized countries during the 15th Conference of Parties (COP-15) in Copenhagen in December last year.