Can food vouchers support adaptive social protection and build climate resilience in the Philippines? Exploratory analysis of the linkages and synergies between Walang Gutom and the Philippines Adaptive Social Protection System

The Philippines is extremely vulnerable to climate change. At present the most important climatic impact drivers facing the country include increased temperatures and drought, rising sea levels, excessive precipitation leading to floods and landslides, severe winds and tropical cyclones. The impacts from these drivers will have effects on development outcomes including poverty, inequality and food security. Malnutrition may be further exacerbated by the impacts of climate change.

Beyond immediate response, social protection can enhance household resilience capacities and facilitate adaptation to climate change. Social protection can address climate risks through the following main pathways:

• Retaining consumption and food security during shocks and preventing harmful coping strategies, such as selling productive assets, that could subsequently have negative long-term impacts.
• Reducing vulnerability and building long-term resilience through asset formation, savings, and social networks and human capital.
• Enabling adaptation through investment and long-term shifts to less climate-sensitive livelihoods.