MANILA — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) emphasized the role of blended finance in scaling funding for climate adaptation and resilience during a forum held at its Head Office on October 15–16, 2025.

BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. underscored the importance of preparedness, citing how areas with mangroves recovered more quickly after Typhoon Yolanda—a demonstration of the “resilience dividend.” Despite the clear benefits, adaptation finance currently accounts for only five percent of total climate funding. “This is where blended finance comes in,” he said.

Blended finance involves leveraging catalytic capital from public or philanthropic sources to mobilize private sector investment for sustainable development, explained Ritesh Thakkar, Senior Advisor and Head of Asia Pacific of Convergence.

Co-organized by the BSP, Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Convergence, the “Blended Finance Forum for the Philippines” convened representatives from government agencies, regulators, financial institutions, private enterprises, and development partners. Discussions focused on building a pipeline of investable adaptation projects, mobilizing domestic capital, and applying blended finance solutions in key sectors, including agriculture, micro, small, and medium enterprises, and nature-based initiatives.

A closed-door High-Level Leaders’ Roundtable Discussion, attended by Australian Ambassador Marc Innes-Brown and Climate Change Commission Secretary Robert E.A. Borje, was facilitated by BSP Assistant Governor and Chief Sustainability Officer Pia Bernadette Roman-Tayag. Participants from both government and the private sector discussed strategies to enhance climate finance deployment.

The forum is part of the BSP Sustainability Agenda, which seeks to mobilize finance for the country’s climate priorities and align with the National Adaptation Plan 2023–2050.