Citing the need for a full-scale national plan to adapt to global warming and to reduce disaster losses, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Friday signed the Climate Change Act of 2009 or Republic Act No. 9729 that would boost the Philippines’ capacity to brave threats posed by climate change.

In a simple ceremony at Malacañang’s Rizal Hall, Mrs. Arroyo signed the landmark legislation, which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 2583 and House Bill No. 5982, which seeks to institutionalize government’s response to climate change as well as to attract financial and technical assistance from foreign community to fund adaptation and disaster risk reduction initiatives.

“The signing into law of the Climate Change Act of 2009 ushers in a new era in the way the Philippines will tackle climate change in both the short and long terms, for the benefit of Filipinos today and for Filipinos yet unborn,” she said.

She signed the measure before leaving the country to attend the 15 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Hua Hin, Thailand.

The law, which was mainly authored by Senator Loren Legarda, provides the creation of the Climate Change Commission, an independent and autonomous policy-making body which would coordinate, monitor and evaluate programs and action plans to address climate change.

Sitting as head of the Commission, which will be organized within 60 days from the effectivity of the law, is the President. Mrs. Arroyo will appoint three commissioners, who have at least 10 years of experience on climate change. They will assume office for a span of six years

One of them will serve as the vice chairperson of the anti-climate change body.

A total of 16 government agencies, local government units and representatives from the academe, business sector, and non-government organizations (NGOs) will compose the body’s advisory board to ensure accountability.

The representatives who will be appointed by the President will serve for a term of six years without reappointment unless their representation is withdrawn by the sector they represent.

Legarda, in an interview, said she was happy that the climate change law was signed, but she was also saddened since the signing happened only after a series of typhoons wrought havoc to country’s infrastructures and rendered thousands of families displaced.