Quest Journals Journal of Research in Environmental and Earth Sciences Volume 7 ~ Issue 12 (2021) pp: 41-48 ISSN(Online) :2348-2532 www.questjournals.org *Corresponding Author: Jesus B. Pizarro 41 | Page Center for Planning, Research, Innovations and New Technologies, St. Paul University Philippines Research Paper Vulnerability of Infrastructures of the Department of Public Works and Highways of Region 02 Philippines to Climate Change Jove G. Revocal 1 & Jesus B. Pizarro 2 1 (Department of Public Works and Highways Region 2, Philippines) 2 (Center for Planning, Research, Innovations and New Technologies, St. Paul University Philippines) ABSTRACT: Infrastructures contribute significantly to national development; however, the world’s changing environment has become a major threat to infrastructure resiliency. It is for this reason that this study was conducted to determine the extent of vulnerability of the infrastructures of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to climate change with respect to exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. The descriptive research design was used in the study and the survey questionnaire is the main data gathering tool being used to elicit information from 116 participants. This study found out that there is a moderate extent of vulnerability of existing roads, drainages, and bridges along the national primary road networks of Region 02. The overall result of the study implies that DPWH Region 02 is working its share on climate change adaptation; however, barriers need to be addressed. It is therefore recommended that DPWH management should enhance its overall adaptive capacity and that technical professionals should continue to support programs and policies on climate change adaptation by enhancing their awareness, knowledge, and expertise. KEYWORDS: Climate Change Adaptation, Knowledge and Awareness, Disaster Response Program, Barriers, Vulnerability Received 10 Dec, 2021; Revised 23 Dec, 2021; Accepted 25 Dec, 2021 © The author(s) 2021. Published with open access at www.questjournals.org I. INTRODUCTION Infrastructures play a vital role in national development. It forms the backbone of the society – serving as the foundation for the economic, social and cultural life of communities and countries [1]. Infrastructure brings development to business, industry and trade that are significant to economic growth, stability, and achievement of globalized development goals. On the other side, lack of infrastructures poses significant limitations to economic development and social well-being. It has been proven that for a developing country to succeed in economic endeavor, infrastructure investment must be a priority. The Philippine spending for infrastructure has grown significantly over the past years as an answer of the government to major weakness on investment climate. For 2016, the infrastructure program comprised 5 percent of the country’s gross domestic product that covers major transportation facilities both in urban and rural areas. Economic growth is expected to soar as a result of infrastructure investment; however, world changing environmental condition has become a major threat to infrastructure resiliency. The effects of climate change have become adverse on essential infrastructures. According to the study of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration [2], all areas of the Philippines will get warmer, more so in the relatively warmer summer months. Annual mean temperatures in all areas in the country are expected to rise by 0.9 degree Celsius to 1.1 degrees Celsius in 2020 and by 1.80 degrees Celsius to 2.2 degrees Celsius in 2050. Projections for extreme events in 2020 and 2050 show that hot temperatures will continue to become frequent, number of dry days will increase, and heavy daily rainfall events will also continue to increase in number in Luzon and Visayas. An average of 20 typhoons will visit the county yearly that challenges the performance of physical infrastructures as a result of changes in temperature, extreme rainfall, typhoon frequency and sea levels. The study of Hilario [3] as cited by Peñalba, et al. [4] revealed that the intensity of typhoons is getting stronger, especially since the 1990s, as a result of the analysis of 59-year data on tropical cyclones in the