The P1-billion People’s Survival Fund (PSF) is “all systems go,” and the PSF Board is now awaiting for the endorsement of the Climate Change Commission (CCC) for the implementation of various climate-change programs and projects sought for financing under the special fund.
Renato Redentor Constantino, executive director of climate policy group Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, a civil-society organization representative in the PSF Board, said the mechanism is now in place—from accepting the project proposal, evaluation, validation and approval to release of fund—for the implementation of approved program or project.
He said the CCC is currently evaluating various project proposals and is open to more proposals, both from local government units (LGU) and civil-society organizations.
Constantino said the proposed projects will be approved or rejected based on merits. But first, he said, applicants must qualify, and that the criteria for the project should be met.
The CCC, which acts as the secretariat of the PSF Board, screens the project proposals and makes sure that the proponents, as well as projects, qualify based on the criteria set by the PSF Board.
“We are still waiting for the Climate Change Office recommendation. They are still evaluating,” he said.
Constantino urged LGUs and community organizations to strictly follow and work within the PSF guideline for the speedy approval of proposals.
Those seeking funding for their programs or projects, he added, should submit the complete documentary requirements for the CCC to immediately start evaluating the merit of the projects.
Delay in the approval of projects, he said, is expected if the LGUs or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) fail to submit all documentary requirements. “If the documents are incomplete, it will be returned to the LGUs by the secretariat,” he said.
The PSF Board has released a checklist for LGUs and NGOs seeking the fund for their projects. The checklist, as well as all other information about the PSF, are posted in the CCC web site.
The utilization of PSF encourages consultation with community stakeholders who will benefit from or be affected by the proposed projects. One of the requirements that LGUs need to submit is the minutes of the meeting of LGU or NGO consultation with the communities.
Along with the project proposal, the proponents are required to submit sanggunian or board resolution affirming the interest of the project proponent to apply, and authorizing the Chief Executive to enter into an agreement with the PSF Board for the implementation of the project; certified true copies of accreditation and registration with Securities and Exchange Commission for community organizations; organizational structure; audited financial statement covering the last three years; vulnerability, risk assessment hazard maps and relevant documents indicating climate-risk exposure; feasibility study; administrative order creating implantation unit; program of work; and detailed cost estimates of the project.
All LGUs can access the fund but the PSF Board has set the criteria for it to be accessed, which include poverty incidence (40 percent), exposure to climate risks (30 percent) and presence of key biodiversity area (30 percent).
The call for proposals for the PSF was announced on October 24 by the CCC.
Beforehand, however, 13 proposals have been submitted by various LGUs which are currently being screened by the CCC. He said he has not received an updated report from the CCC as to the number of project proposals submitted by interested LGUs or NGOs.
Upon approval of the project proposals, the PSF Board guarantees release of fund within 30 days for the implementation of the program or project.