United Nations in Philippines

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in the Philippines.

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Publication

26 March 2026

United Nations Philippines 2025 Annual Results Report - 2026 Prospects

The 2025 Annual Results Report of the United Nations in the Philippines outlines how the UN system supported national development priorities over the year under the 2024–2028 UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework.The report highlights key development results, investments, and partnerships across human capital, inclusive economic development, climate action, governance, and peace, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and Philippine Development Plan priorities.It also documents how the UN is adapting its role as the Philippines moves toward upper middle‑income status, shifting from project delivery toward policy support, systems strengthening, and financing for scale.The report provides a consolidated overview of financial resources, joint programmes, and contributions from government, development partners, and the private sector, emphasizing coherence and results.Finally, the report outlines UN priorities for 2026, focusing on resilience, inclusion, climate action, and institutional reform, while reinforcing the UN’s long‑standing partnership with the Philippines.

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28 July 2026

Investing in women powers climate resilience, spurs local economic growth

Severe weather, high energy costs and thin margins go hand-in-hand for many small business owners in the Philippines – and the recent energy crisis has accentuated their problems. Women-led businesses, especially in rural and hard-to-reach areas, often face additional difficulties in accessing finance, technology, information and business support. A United Nations initiative has set out to change that and has already provided over 16,700 women business owners with assistance, including over US$ 2 million in clean energy loans.“When clean energy financing is intentionally designed to reach women-led small businesses, it can unlock a powerful pathway toward climate resilience, economic security and local development,” said Parimita Mohanty, Programme Management Officer at the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). The EmPower: Women for Climate Resilient Societies initiative, a joint programme led by UN Women and UNEP, supported by the Governments of Germany, New Zealand, Sweden and Switzerland, is breaking down the financial barriers faced by women, supporting green livelihoods and jobs, and offering a roadmap for more inclusive climate action.Unlocking renewable energy entrepreneurship in IloiloIn Iloilo, the first province in the country to pass a renewable energy ordinance with its own budget allocation, clean energy is directly transforming local public services. Through a strategic collaboration under EmPower, provincial officers are embedding gender equality into local energy efficiency plans. In practice, this means ensuring women's needs and priorities are reflected in renewable energy investments, from more reliable health services to safer public spaces and new green job opportunities. The lessons from Iloilo are now informing EmPower's support to 31 other provinces across the Philippines as they advance a more gender-responsive clean energy transition.EmPower, through the Microfinance Council of the Philippines, Inc., partners with microfinance institutions, including Ahon sa Hirap, Inc. (ASHI) and the Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation (NWTF), giving rural women entrepreneurs access to financing specifically for renewable energy technologies, combined with practical business training.“Our goal with this joint initiative is to show how we can stimulate resilient and inclusive grassroots economic growth through supporting women entrepreneurs,” said Rosalyn Mesina, Country Programme Coordinator at UN Women Philippines. “Truly, we are seeing that women are proving to be viable clients for green finance when products and tools are designed according to their realities, needs, and constraints - and once addressed, the impact goes beyond their businesses, but the communities where they belong.” Here are the stories of four entrepreneurs who benefitted from EmPower support. Mary Grace Moreno: Livestock farming with solar energy In the town of Maasin, Mary Grace runs a small livestock business of over twenty pigs, an enterprise easily hurt by intense summer heat and unpredictable power outages. “We need to run the fans to keep the animals cool during the day, and we need to feed the pigs at night, so our energy costs are high,” said Mary Grace. For years, her business relied on an unstable electricity supply, including a low-cost solar system she bought online but which could provide power for only an hour. Through EmPower’s partnership with NWTF, Mary Grace secured a small loan to install a higher quality solar home system. This gave her energy independence, cutting her monthly electricity bills, and enabling her business to be more sustainable. Avelina Simpia: Pastry and online food vending with a rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) home system In nearby Zarraga, Avelina faced an energy bottleneck for her pastry production and food vending business, which she runs with her daughter Cherile. For her, electricity is a necessity for food preparation, keeping her products fresh and operating her online store. Rising power rates kept her profit margins thin, making it difficult to save money or expand her shop.Partnering with ASHI under EmPower, Avelina took out a clean energy loan to install a rooftop solar PV home system last year. Generating her own electricity has dropped her operating costs, increasing profits, which she plans to re-invest in growing her business.Rosenne Baco Fiscal: Hog and poultry farming with a solar PV home systemRosenne operates a hog and poultry business in Zarraga. In livestock farming, heat mitigation and consistent ventilation are critical to animal health and survival. Relying on an unpredictable local grid meant that sudden power failures during extreme heatwaves put her entire livestock population at risk, while high electricity prices stunted her ability to grow even when power was available.Through EmPower, Rosenne integrated a reliable solar setup into her farming infrastructure. This clean energy alternative provides continuous and reliable energy for an egg incubator, lighting and ventilation systems. Rosenne has improved animal safety, increased her production capacity, and strengthened her business in a historically male-dominated sector. Beyond small businesses: Commercial solar energy in Batangas
While the solutions in Iloilo demonstrated how clean energy helps micro-businesses, in Batangas the model scales up to power larger women-owned operations as well. Through the technical assistance provided by MCPI under EmPower, local thrift banks, such as Bangko Kabayan, can support larger-scale green infrastructure investments.Mary Rose Bathan Buen, Commercial Solar-Powered Ice Plant
In the town of Balayan, Mary Rose runs an industrial business for the local fishing community. Backed by a pioneering, clean energy loan from Bangko Kabayan, she installed Balayan’s first ice production plant, which works using solar power.Mary Rose’s plant serves as an economic anchor for the coastal community. For local fisherfolk, quick access to affordable ice is crucial to bring their catch to market, preventing post-harvest food waste, protects fisherfolk’s incomes, and creating local green jobs. Sparking commitments to accelerate gender responsive actions
EmPower looks to build on tested local solutions and scale them through stronger partnerships with government, financial institutions, and women entrepreneurs. “By helping to reduce the perceived risks of green technology, supporting financial institutions to design products that respond to women’s realities, and demonstrating strong demand from women-led businesses, EmPower is helping build an investment-ready model for energy transition in the Philippines,” said UN Women’s Mesina.

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24 July 2026

Indigenous knowledge as a global solution: Lake Sebu hailed as the first FAO Village in the Philippines

An indigenous community in Lake Sebu that has safeguarded traditional crop varieties, protected forests and lakes, and passed knowledge from one generation to the next has become the first in the Philippines to receive the FAO Villages Recognition, joining a growing global network of rural communities whose local solutions are helping shape the future of sustainable agrifood systems. The FAO Villages Recognition Initiative launched in 2025 honors rural communities that are advancing sustainable agrifood systems, conserving biodiversity, preserving food traditions and local knowledge, and fostering inclusive rural transformation. Agrifood systems encompass the interconnected components involved in the journey that brings food and non-food agriculture products like abaca from farm to consumers. "[This] recognition acknowledges that rural communities are the living heart of agrifood systems preservation and transformation, and Lake Sebu perfectly embodies this vision," said Mario Samaja, who spearheaded the development of the FAO Villages Recognition Initiative.The T’boli and Ubo-Manobo indigenous groups of Lake Sebu were cited for their stewardship of heirloom rice and traditional crop varieties, forests, lakes and traditional knowledge, which was strengthened through years of collaboration among the indigenous communities, the municipality of Lake Sebu, the provincial government of South Cotabato, national government agencies, academic institutions and development partners. In Sitio El Lumet, Barangay Luhib, Lake Sebu, one of the most remarkable achievements of this collaboration has been the conservation of 102 traditional rice varieties. Community seed banks, participatory rice breeding and improved seed conservation technologies were introduced to ensure that this unique genetic heritage continues to strengthen food security and climate resilience for future generations.Farmer Nonito Malingay from the T’boli and Ubo tribes, whose community has helped conserve more than one hundred heirloom rice varieties, reflected on what this work represents: "Our traditional crops are not just food. They are our life. They are our ancestors’ legacy, and our children’s inheritance. They are our living treasure."The partnerships have also transformed local livelihoods. Investments in demonstration farms, rice micro-mills, farm equipment and capacity development improved productivity and market opportunities. Women-led enterprises created new value from traditional crop varieties through post-processing, creating new sources of income that enable T’Boli women weavers to continue pursuing the art of T’Nalak weaving, which forms a large part of their culture. Known as dreamweavers, T’Boli women receive guidance from Fu Dalu, the god of abaca, in weaving their T’Nalak designs.For Chita Sulan, a T’boli farmer and T’Nalak weaver, heritage conservation has served as an opportunity to empower women and create better livelihoods."I learned that being a woman is not a hindrance. When our enterprise was built, I stood up for our women members so we will have our processing center," said said Sulan, who serves as President of the Lake Sebu Indigenous Women and Farmers Association, composed of over 100 women weavers and farmers.As the first Philippine member of the FAO Villages global network, Lake Sebu now joins more than 300 recognized villages worldwide. The community's achievements demonstrate that some of the world’s most effective solutions for sustainable agrifood systems are already being practiced by rural communities that have learned, over generations, how to live in harmony with nature while preserving their cultural identity.FAO Representative in the Philippines Lionel Dabbadie believes the significance of this recognition extends far beyond Lake Sebu: "Some places are recognized for what they have achieved. Others are recognized because they hold solutions the world urgently needs. Lake Sebu is both."

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20 July 2026

UNIDO empowers Philippine MSMEs to turn climate action into a competitive advantage

For many micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Philippines, managing rising energy costs while remaining competitive is an increasingly difficult balancing act, made more challenging recently due to the ensuing energy crisis brought about by global geopolitical tensions. Limited access to efficient technologies, financing and technical expertise often prevents businesses from adopting solutions that could reduce costs and strengthen their long-term resilience.
Recognizing these challenges, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), is supporting Filipino MSMEs unlock the benefits of energy efficiency through the Transformative Actions for Climate and Ecological Protection and Development (TRANSCEND) Project.Supported by Germany's International Climate Initiative (IKI), the project is helping lay the foundation for a more climate-smart industrial sector by promoting resource-efficient production, strengthening energy management practices, and supporting the development of a Climate-Smart Industry Roadmap for MSMEs. Beyond reducing energy consumption, the project seeks to help enterprises adopt sustainable business practices and access emerging green financing opportunities.The initiative will be implemented across selected areas of Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Panay Island, Misamis Oriental, and Bukidnon, where MSMEs will receive technical assistance, training and practical tools to identify and implement energy-saving measures suited to their operations.“Through the TRANSCEND Project, UNIDO is assisting MSMEs in turning energy efficiency into a business advantage—reducing costs, improving productivity, and strengthening resilience to negative climate impacts,” said Teddy Monroy, UNIDO Country Representative in the Philippines. “By supporting local enterprises in adopting sound energy management practices and helping develop a Climate-Smart Industry Roadmap, we are creating an enabling environment where businesses can grow sustainably while contributing to the Philippines’ climate ambitions.”The initiative aligns closely with the Philippine MSME Development Plan 2023–2028, which identifies sustainability as a key driver of enterprise development. As businesses become more energy efficient, they could lower operating costs, improve compliance with environmental standards, and become better positioned to participate in domestic and international value chains where sustainable production is increasingly expected.

MSMEs account for around 99 per cent of registered businesses in the country. Yet many continue to face barriers to adopting low-carbon technologies due to limited information, high upfront investment costs and constrained access to finance. By addressing these barriers, the TRANSCEND Project seeks to demonstrate that climate action is not simply an environmental responsibility but a practical business strategy that delivers measurable economic benefits.“MSMEs are central to the Philippines’ inclusive economic growth and industrial transformation. As sustainability and resource efficiency increasingly shape markets and value chains, energy efficiency must be recognized not only as an operational measure, but as a strategic pathway toward stronger productivity, resilience, innovation, and competitiveness,” said Edwin Pasahol, Division Chief of the Department of Trade and Industry's Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development (DTI-BSMED). “Through our partnership with UNIDO under the TRANSCEND Project, we are working to translate the country’s climate and sustainability commitments into practical support for MSMEs, providing enterprises with the knowledge, tools, and enabling environment needed to adopt climate-smart practices and access emerging green market and financing opportunities. This partnership reinforces DTI’s commitment to ensuring that the transition toward a low-carbon economy is inclusive, enterprise-driven, and creates meaningful opportunities for MSMEs across the country.”Over its five-year implementation, the project is expected to generate around 4,000 MWh in energy savings and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 3,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. These outcomes will contribute to the Philippines' Nationally Determined Contributions under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change while supporting the country's broader transition towards a climate-resilient, low-carbon economy.As part of the wider TRANSCEND programme, the initiative demonstrates how strategic investments in innovation, sustainable production and enterprise development can deliver benefits that extend beyond environmental gains. By helping MSMEs become more energy efficient, resilient and competitive, UNIDO and DTI are enabling businesses not only to adapt to a changing climate, but also to unlock new opportunities for inclusive and sustainable industrial growth.

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02 July 2026

UN support to gov’t earthquake response helps assistance reach most affected areas

Following a magnitude 7.8 earthquake off the coast of Maasim, Sarangani on 8 June, the United Nations in the Philippines has provided lifesaving support, including food packs and medical assistance, to communities hard hit by the disaster.Nearly 1.7 million people were affected by the seismic event in Mindanao. Government figures report 81 deaths, over 1,300 injuries and 31 missing persons. Around 90,000 people remain displaced as of 30 June, with many staying in evacuation centres and makeshift shelters due to continued aftershocks—over 11,100 of which have been reported, hampering response efforts. The Consolidated Assessment Report, published by the Humanitarian Country Team, brings together government data and inter-agency assessments while outlining priority needs. United Nations agencies have been supporting Government-led humanitarian response in affected areas in Regions IX, XI, XII and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).Following the earthquake, the World Food Programme (WFP) deployed staff and critical emergency equipment to support the Government in establishing emergency logistics hubs. Three mobile storage units were installed, each capable of safely storing up to 500 metric tonnes of relief items. Through WFP’s transport and logistics support, more than 640,000 people received family food packs and other humanitarian assistance, including family tents and shelter repair kits. An emergency telecommunications mobile unit and a mobile food kitchen, co-designed with WFP, were also deployed to bolster connectivity services for responders and evacuees and to provide hot meals to affected communities. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) provided emergency medical assistance to ensure the continuity of essential services despite damage to local health facilities. WHO worked alongside the Department of Health and local authorities to assess health needs across affected communities, ensure the alignment of the Philippine Emergency Medical Assistance Team - Central Mindanao with global Emergency Medical Team standards, and provide 48,000 water purification tablets to support safe drinking water. UNFPA delivered emergency maternity tent facilities and reproductive health kits to address gaps in infrastructure and equipment for obstetric and gynecological services. Over 1,800 dignity kits were also distributed to cover the hygiene, maternal and newborn care needs of affected families.The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) have been tracking displacement and coordinating with local government and partners for shelter and protection assistance.IOM is working closely with Government on camp coordination and the provision of emergency shelter. A rapid needs assessment was conducted to identify the top priorities of hard-hit areas, and a displacement tracking matrix was launched to monitor the situation in evacuation sites and self-settled sites. UNHCR has also been conducting protection monitoring activities and assessments and facilitating field coordination with local government and partners. Private sector partnerships are being tapped to mobilize local resources for the response.To address the school disruptions caused by the earthquake—an estimated 3 million students across 6,000 schools were affected—the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) conducted engineering assessments of more than 50 school buildings and 175 classrooms in General Santos City and surrounding communities. The assessment findings will provide a technical foundation for the Government’s recovery and rebuilding plans for more resilient infrastructure.As the emergency response transitions into recovery, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) continues to monitor evolving response efforts and will coordinate any response from the UN system the government may request.“In a very experienced upper-middle-income country like the Philippines, the government is the clear lead on humanitarian response, and the United Nations only plays a supporting role,” said Arnaud Peral, United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Philippines. “The UN system will continue to engage with the government not just on immediate support but also on disaster preparedness, anticipatory action and recovery.” View OCHA’s earthquake response overview for the latest updates.

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23 June 2026

UNOCT addresses terrorist exploitation of new technologies

Advances in digital technology have helped accelerate development and create easier and faster ways to communicate. However, the accessibility of these technologies has also made it attractive to bad actors like terrorist and violent extremist groups. These tools can be used to help with radicalization, recruitment, coordinated attacks, and terrorism financing.To address increasing concerns over the use of technology for malicious purposes, the UN Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) is working with the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) to strengthen the capacities of the Philippines to respond to these threats.As part of a two-year project called CT Tech+ funded by the European Union, in which the UN supports 9 partner states, UNOCT held a national workshop in Manila on 4 June, bringing together 21 officials from Philippine law enforcement agencies and private technology companies to foster collaboration and information sharing to help counter technology-facilitated terrorism.The activity focuses on an important stream of work under UNOCT’s Global Counter-Terrorism Programme on Cybersecurity and New Technologies: boosting public-private partnerships on the use of new and emerging technologies to counter terrorism. By promoting this whole-of-society approach, UNOCT helps partner states further strengthen their national counter-terrorism policies and strategies, as well as local law enforcement’s technological capabilities.The workshop, which was hosted by the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime, and organized in collaboration with the Anti-Terrorism Council – Programme Management Center, served as a space to identify challenges, problems and opportunities for partnership, especially for harnessing innovative technological solutions for gathering digital data and evidence.A key component of the workshop was scenario-based exercises to help participants explore how law enforcement agencies and the private sector can jointly respond to terrorist exploitation of online spaces and tools, such as terrorist groups’ use of social “The CT Tech+ Initiative has been pivotal in enhancing our national capabilities against crime and terrorism in cyberspace. This, in turn, ensures our international commitment to a safe and secure cyberspace for all,” said Undersecretary Bernardo C. Florece, Jr., Executive Director of the Anti-Terrorism Council - Program Management Center.In addition to the sharing of resources and experiences, a critical session focused on how to ensure that law enforcement authorities’ adoption and use of digital tools is compliant with the Philippine Government’s obligations under international human rights law, particularly concerning the rights to privacy and freedom of expression. “Effective counterterrorism measures and the protection of human rights are complementary,” said Ms. Tristan Burnett, International Organization for Migration (IOM) Chief of Mission and UN Philippines Resident Coordinator ad interim. “Respect for human rights and standards is an essential component of an effective counter terrorism strategy, including by building public trust and confidence, allowing space for peaceful debates, and by assisting and protecting victims of terrorism, as well as the fundamental rights of those who are suspected of committing these attacks.”Best practices from the UNOCT handbook on establishing public-private partnerships to counter the use of new technologies for terrorism were shared to guide participants in establishing cooperation pathways between government agencies and private companies. UNOCT will provide the Philippine Government with a post-workshop report with recommendations on strengthening public-private partnerships for counter-terrorism efforts.The CT Tech+ workshop was co-organized with INTERPOL, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism, and funded by the European Union.

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Press Release

08 June 2026

Statement of Solidarity by the United Nations in the Philippines

The United Nations in the Philippines extends its deepest sympathies to the people of Mindanao and other affected areas following the devastating earthquake on 8 June. We mourn the loss of lives and the suffering endured by families and communities due to widespread damage to homes and infrastructure, and we stand in solidarity with all those affected during this difficult time.The United Nations commends national and local authorities for their swift response. Together with the government and partners, we are assessing the earthquake’s impact and remain ready to support response and recovery efforts. We commend the courage and dedication of first responders, medical personnel, and volunteers who are working tirelessly to save lives and provide relief.In moments of crisis, unity and compassion are our greatest strengths. The United Nations reaffirms its commitment to help build back stronger, safer, and even more resilient communities. Press contactsGeneral inquiries: Maria Jorica Pamintuan, +63 917 896 6191, maria.pamintuan@un.orgMelissa Correa, +63 917 882 3414, melissa.correa@un.org

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Press Release

28 May 2026

Strengthening inclusive governance in BARMM through public infrastructure

The European Union (EU), Spain, the Bangsamoro Government and UNOPS, have formally inaugurated two key examples of public infrastructure development in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Refurbishment works for key facilities within the Bangsamoro Parliament complex in Cotabato City have been completed, alongside the construction of the School of Living Tradition in Upi, Maguindanao del Norte under the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs (MIPA).

The upgraded Parliament improves institutional working spaces and aims to support more responsive and people-centered governance by enhancing parliamentary operations. While the new construction in Upi will serve as a dedicated hub for learning, dialogue, training, and engagement with indigenous communities and regional institutions.

“This public infrastructure support reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen inclusive governance, improve access to public institutions and services, and support culturally sensitive development” said Peter Browne, UNOPS Country Representative to the Philippines. “Designed and implemented by a majority of women engineers, these buildings have also provided opportunities to train hundreds of local workers with new skills aligned to world class standards” he added.The school construction is a first of its kind octagonal structure, taking inspiration from local traditions, to create a unique example of architectural design in Bangsamoro.The Parliament, the direct result of decades of peace negotiations, holds deep symbolic, cultural, and political weight, and its building, designed with accessibility and sustainability in mind, is a tangible monument to a hard-fought peace process.These achievements have been possible thanks to the Support to Bangsamoro Transition (SUBATRA) Programme, funded by the EU with additional support from AECID (the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation), and implemented by UNOPS, and follow recent announcements of award winning infrastructure completed as part of the same initiative.The inauguration and handover activities reflect continuing support to the Bangsamoro transition and commitment to strengthening resilient institutions, inclusive governance, and meaningful community participation in support of the Bangsamoro peace and development agenda. (END) Notes to the editors: Press contact detailsJose D. Santos IIIUNOPS Communications AssistantEmail: josesa@unops.org Yadhu AcharyaUNOPS Communications and Partnerships Officer for South East Asia and the Pacific.Email: yadhua@unops.org About UNOPSUNOPS offers practical solutions across peace and security, humanitarian and development operations. We help the United Nations, governments and other partners, such as the European Union and its Member States, to manage projects, and deliver sustainable infrastructure and procurement across the world. Read more: www.unops.org. About SUBATRASupport to Bangsamoro Transition (SUBATRA) is a five-year programme funded by the European Union, with co-funding from the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), through an agreement with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, with a value of EUR 26 million.SUBATRA contributes to a smooth and timely undertaking of the transition through capacity building of the three branches of the Bangsamoro Government and civil society organizations. This will promote an enabling good governance environment and support the efficient implementation of policies set up by the transition plan, focusing on capacities critical for the sound functioning of interim institutions. The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace (OPAPP) are part of the project as partner agencies. AECID, UNOPS, and Particip, support SUBATRA as implementing agencies.

More information at: subatra.org

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Press Release

25 May 2026

EU, UNOPS & IDLO Launch 20th Justice Zone in La Union, Philippines

SAN FERNANDO CITY, LA UNION - The Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC), in partnership with the European Union (EU) through the EU-GOJUST Programme, has officially launched the City of San Fernando, La Union as the 20th Justice Zone in the Philippines.The event represents a major milestone in the country’s justice sector reform, bringing the nation to nearly two-thirds of its Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 target of establishing 30 operational Justice Zones nationwide, now covering approximately 12% of the national population.As the regional and administrative capital, San Fernando City has integrated the Justice Zone framework into its vision of a “People’s City,” linking it directly to its landmark Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Code of 2025 and its ongoing partnership with the Commission on Human Rights to be designated as a formal human rights city.“The establishment of Justice Zones is a recognition that the effective and efficient administration of justice requires the active communication, cooperation, and coordination among the five pillars of the criminal justice system. This initiative also advances the Supreme Court’s Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations (SPJI) 2022–2027, which envisions a judiciary that is efficient, technology-driven, and people-centred,” said Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo.He further highlighted the critical role of development partners, noting: “Last year, the Governance in Justice (GOJUST) Programme of the European Union, our development partner in the establishment of Justice Zones, conducted a study on the impact of the Justice Zone model... which showed that 85% of stakeholders perceived that the Justice Zones in their respective localities have meaningfully contributed to the resolution of justice issues in their areas. We in the JSCC hope to bring this brand and level of justice services to your locality, where institutions do not work in silos, but in partnership with each other.” Critical interventions for the zone’s first year will prioritise addressing complex regional challenges–such as cyber scams and human trafficking–by establishing a dedicated Anti-Trafficking Desk and a Cyber Crime Task Force. The first-year roadmap also includes upgrading information technology infrastructure to support video conferencing for delayed litigation, constructing accessible facilities for vulnerable groups, and creating cost-sharing rehabilitation and after-care programs to reduce post-ligitation recidivism. “As development partners, we are proud to help bring justice services closer to the local community in an inclusive and sustainable manner. Alongside national, regional, and local institutions, EU-GOJUST has demonstrated proven success through establishing zones, and we look forward to furthering this work over the weeks and months ahead,” said Peter Browne, UNOPS Country Representative for the Philippines.The establishment of the San Fernando City Justice Zone reflects an increasingly collaborative funding ecosystem, combining resources from the Philippine National Government, local government unit budget allocations, and technical expertise from the European Union to build public confidence in the local judicial system. The launch event was attended by national and local leaders, including Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, Associate Justice Samuel H. Gaerlan, Associate Justice Jose Midas P. Marquez, DOJ Undersecretary Ian Norman Dato, DILG Undersecretary Jon Paulo Salvahan, La Union Governor Mario Eduardo C. Ortega, and San Fernando City Mayor Hermenegildo A. Gualberto, alongside regional judges, prosecutors, law enforcement commanders, and development partners from EU-GOJUST and the Australian Embassy’s FAIR Justice Program. (END) Press contact detailsMaria Louella TinioEU-GOJUST PMS Senior Assistant for Knowledge ManagementEmail: marialouellat@unops.org Yadhu AcharyaUNOPS Communications and Partnerships Officer for South East Asia and the Pacific.Email: yadhua@unops.org About UNOPSUNOPS offers practical solutions across peace and security, humanitarian and development operations. We help the United Nations, governments and other partners, such as the European Union and its Member States, to manage projects, and deliver sustainable infrastructure and procurement across the world. Read more: www.unops.org. About EU-GOJUSTWith a total grant of EUR 16.5M over a period of 39 months, the EU’s GOJUST programme supports the Government of the Republic of the Philippines’ efforts to improve access to justice for all Filipinos, and thus, contribute to inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development.EU-GOJUST works with the Philippine Supreme Court, the Department of Justice, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government to develop more responsive and accountable justice services in the country. Through a grants facility, the Programme also works with universities and civil society organizations in improving access to justice for women, LGBTQI+, indigenous communities, and other vulnerable groups.

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Press Release

06 May 2026

UN supports Philippines to strengthen energy security and accelerate energy transition

As global energy markets remain volatile amid geopolitical tensions, climate change and economic uncertainty, the United Nations system is supporting the Philippines to strengthen its energy security while accelerating a just and sustainable energy transition, according to a new analysis published by the UN in the Philippines.

The article, Energy security: Nine ways the UN is supporting the Philippines, outlines how 11 United Nations agencies, funds and programmes are working with the Government, development partners and stakeholders across the country to help ensure access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy for all Filipinos while reducing vulnerability to global shocks.

Energy security has become a defining development challenge for the Philippines. The country remains heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels, exposing households and businesses to global price spikes, supply disruptions and inflationary pressures. At the same time, climate change is increasing extreme weather risks that threaten energy infrastructure and undermine long-term growth.

“The Philippines’ energy future cannot be separated from global developments, but it is precisely in this context that multilateral cooperation becomes an advantage,” said Arnaud Peral, United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Philippines. “Through our collective expertise and presence on the ground, the UN is supporting the country to diversify its energy mix, protect consumers from volatility, and accelerate the transition to clean, resilient and inclusive energy systems.”

Coordinated UN support across the energy sector
The article highlights nine interlinked areas where the UN system is delivering added value through coordinated action.

These include policy and regulatory support, helping national agencies align energy planning, climate commitments and development priorities, including through long-term energy roadmaps consistent with the Philippines’ Nationally Determined Contribution and sustainable development goals.

UN agencies are also supporting the scale-up of renewable energy, including solar, wind, geothermal and other clean energy sources, to reduce import dependence while unlocking investment, innovation and decent jobs.

Strengthening power grids, energy infrastructure and system resilience is another priority, particularly in disaster‑prone areas. The UN is supporting efforts to climate‑proof energy facilities and improve planning so that power supply can be restored quickly after typhoons, floods and earthquakes.

Ensuring equitable energy access remains central to UN engagement. This includes supporting off-grid and decentralized energy solutions for remote islands, rural communities and underserved populations, contributing to poverty reduction, improved health services and inclusive growth.

The UN is also helping mobilize sustainable energy finance, supporting access to concessional funding, private capital and innovative financing mechanisms to make clean energy investments viable and affordable.

Recognizing the interconnections between energy, food, water and climate, UN agencies are promoting integrated approaches that reduce emissions, strengthen adaptation and avoid trade‑offs between development goals.

Other areas of support include data and evidence-based planning, strengthening national energy statistics and modelling; capacity-building and skills development to prepare the workforce for a low-carbon economy; and regional and global cooperation, ensuring the Philippines benefits from international best practices, technology transfer and policy dialogue.

“What the UN brings is not just individual projects, but a system-wide approach that connects energy security with climate action, economic resilience and social inclusion,” Mr Peral said. “This is essential for a country facing both development opportunities and increasing climate risks.”

Delivering impact through partnership
The UN’s energy work in the Philippines supports the country’s development priorities and complements national efforts to lower electricity costs, reduce emissions and improve competitiveness. By working across agencies, the UN is able to provide technical advice, convening power, financing support and on‑the‑ground implementation in a coherent and coordinated manner.

More information available
Journalists and stakeholders are encouraged to consult the full article, Energy security: Nine ways the UN is supporting the Philippines, for detailed examples, agency contributions and case studies:
https://philippines.un.org/en/313794-energy-security-nine-ways-un-supporting-philippinesMedia contact:Maria Jorica Pamintuan - maria.pamintuan@un.org

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Press Release

29 April 2026

Better access to government services for island communities in the Philippines

The European Union, in partnership with the Bangsamoro Government, has successfully handed over Office of the Chief Minister buildings in Basilan and Tawi-Tawi through the SUBATRA Programme, implemented by UNOPS.The new facilities represent a key milestone in advancing decentralized and inclusive governance in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), particularly in geographically isolated and underserved island provinces.“Through our infrastructure expertise, we are proud to support work to help bring the government closer to communities. Designed and implemented by a majority of women engineers, these award-winning buildings have been recognized as leading examples of sustainable and culturally sensitive development. And in the process, hundreds of local workers have learned new skills following world class standards“, said Peter Browne, Country Representative of UNOPS in the Philippines.The new offices aim to strengthen the interface between the Bangsamoro Government and its constituents, and enhance government coordination, public engagement, and service delivery.The turnover of these offices underscores a shared commitment among partners to ensure that governance is not only institutionalized, but also accessible and felt across all communities in BARMM. END Press contact details
Jose D. Santos III
UNOPS Communications Assistant
Email: josesa@unops.orgYadhu Acharya
UNOPS Communications and Partnerships Offi cer for South East Asia and the Pacifi c.
Email: yadhua@unops.org
About UNOPSUNOPS offers practical solutions across peace and security, humanitarian and development operations. We help the United Nations, governments and other partners, such as the European Union and its Member States, to manage projects, and deliver sustainable infrastructure and procurement across the world. Read more: www.unops.org.About SUBATRASupport to Bangsamoro Transition (SUBATRA) is a fi ve-year programme funded by the European Union, with co-funding from the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), through an agreement with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, with a value of EUR 26 million.
SUBATRA contributes to a smooth and timely undertaking of the transition through capacity building of the three branches of the Bangsamoro Government and civil society organizations. This will promote an enabling good governance environment and support the effi cient implementation of policies set up by the transition plan, focusing on capacities critical for the sound functioning of interim institutions.
The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) and the Offi ce of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace (OPAPP) are part of the project as partner agencies. AECID, UNOPS, and Particip, support SUBATRA as implementing agencies. More information at: subatra.org

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