Senator Imee Marcos expressed concern over a recent report indicating a low score in disaster response in the Philippines.
Marcos referred to the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative survey, which revealed that the country’s preparedness score is just 19.2 out of 50.
This score is far from sufficient given the frequent natural disasters the nation faces.
She emphasized the Philippines’ ongoing struggle with severe weather and flooding, citing four typhoons—Marce, Nika, Ofel, and Pepito—as urgent issues that require immediate attention.
On the 11th anniversary of Super Typhoon Yolanda, which claimed over 6,000 lives, the senator stressed the need for an immediate national climate strategy and stronger disaster preparedness.
“Every year, we’re battered by storms and floods. If we don’t take action now, we will all remain at risk. Three to five typhoons are still to come. There’s still time to climate-adapt our homes, at least to some extent,” she stated.
Marcos noted that the country needs to improve infrastructure, particularly in high-risk areas, and develop green infrastructure solutions. These include reducing non-permeable surfaces, protecting wetlands, and enhancing mangrove forests.
“While the rest of the world also struggles with climate change, and experts are willing to help us, we can only count on our own volition and action to adapt to this new normal. The new Trump administration will be far less generous to the UN and other world organizations. Even new loss and damage programs are now at risk of defunding,” she concluded.
