BBM seeks more investments in disaster risk reduction

President Marcos yesterday called on countries in the Asia-Pacific region to increase investments and funding in disaster risk reduction measures in the face of more destructive disasters brought by climate change.

- Helen Flores, Pia Lee-Brago

In his speech during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) in Pasay City, Marcos emphasized that facing calamities and disasters is a common struggle across the region.

"Across the Asia-Pacific region, nations like ours grapple with similar trials. We share a common struggle: navigating the balance between continued economic growth and dealing with the ever-present threat of disasters," he said.

"Resilience and sustainability must underpin the national agenda of our economy. This recognizes that all our efforts in economic planning are fragile in the face of calamities and disasters," he added.

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 gave the international community profound guidance in their disaster risk reduction efforts, according to the President.

The Sendai Framework was adopted on March 18, 2015 by United Nations member-states. Its goal is to prevent new and reduce existing disaster risks.

"Our path now is to redouble and to synergize our efforts to accelerate its implementation," Marcos said.