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.
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.
