President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday reiterated that the Philippines remains resilient despite facing numerous and various natural calamities each year.
At the official opening of the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, hosted by Manila, Marcos stated that natural disasters make the Philippines more vulnerable.
However, he emphasized, “Much has been said of the resilience of the Filipino spirit.”
“While nature has gifted us with natural wonders, it has reminded us of its formidable power. We are visited by more than 20 tropical cyclones in a year,” he remarked.
“Still, we remain Asia’s engine of growth. We find ourselves at a critical juncture,” he added.
The President also noted that the APMCDRR 2024 conference sends a powerful message: “The Asia-Pacific is not just prepared but ready to lead in disaster risk reduction worldwide.”
He called on Asia and the Pacific, the world’s most disaster-prone region, to craft an international legal framework that guides disaster prevention and response while ensuring the protection of individuals during and after disasters.
“This endeavor aims to fill critical gaps in international disaster response laws, uphold the rights and dignity of affected persons, establish clearer obligations, and enhance humanitarian coordination,” Marcos stated.
During Monday’s opening session, the head of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)praised the Philippines’ people-centered approach in disaster risk reduction.
UNDRR chief Kamal Kishore said the Philippines is already “way ahead” of the DRR curve as focus on communities, which are often the most affected during calamities, is an essential component of reducing and managing disaster risks.
“The work that is being done in the Philippines can be a lighthouse to the rest of the region, and, indeed the world,” he said at a media reception.
On top of making sure that policies and projects come together at the local level, Kishore said the close collaboration between government agencies in the Philippines is a policy that other states should also replicate.
“Also very unique is how you bring together different parts of the government —there are two secretaries in the media event and there are other departments involved throughout the conference— it is not something that you see very often in many countries,” he said.
The Philippines is hosting the APMCDRR for the first time from October 14-18 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.
The event gathers governments, civil society organizations, the private sector, academia, and stakeholder groups to strengthen cooperation on disaster resilience and risk reduction in the Asia-Pacific region.
Around 4,000 delegates from 70 countries have gathered in Manila to emphasize the urgency of strengthening regional efforts to ensure a safer future for all.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Philippines still Asia’s ‘engine of growth’ despite natural disasters, says Marcos.”
