‘Philippines should be active participant in COP22 Marrakech’

MANILA, Philippines – Citing the country’s vulnerability to climate impacts, Environment Secretary Gina Lopez said the Philippines should have a greater role in discussions at the ongoing Climate Change Conference in Marrakech, Morocco.

“We should be sitting at the negotiating table. The Philippines cannot abandon its commitment to address the single greatest threat facing the planet today,” Lopez said earlier this week.

She gave assurance that the Duterte administration will “pursue national development conscious of the responsibility to safeguard the people, the environment, and the biodiversity from the negative impacts of climate change.”

Lopez recalled the country’s experience with super Typhoon Yolanda, which claimed thousands of lives and left widespread destruction in central Philippines in 2013.

The official left for Marrakech on Sunday to attend the first meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

Lopez was tasked by Malacañang to attend the summit, officially billed as the 22nd Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP22).

The Marrakech conference, which runs from Nov. 7 to 18, is the crucial next step for governments looking to operationalize the new global climate deal adopted in Paris, France last year.

Lopez is expected to attend the Women Leaders and Global Transformation Summit in which world leaders will learn how women can be strong solution providers to further sustainable development.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources chief likewise welcomed President Duterte’s announcement that he finally decided to ratify the Paris Agreement after consulting with members of the Cabinet.

After achieving the threshold number of countries needed to ratify the Paris Agreement, the international climate pact started to take effect on Nov. 4.

Meanwhile, the Philippines is finalizing the amendment to the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Law or Republic Act 10121. 

Ambassador Cecilia Rebong, permanent representative to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, made the announcement as she highlighted the policy reforms and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) initiatives of the Philippines to strengthen resilience.

At the Geneva launch of the 2016 World Disasters Report held recently, Rebong said that discussions and consultations are in full swing to amend  RA 10121.

The sunset review of the PDRRM Law led to the incorporation of several features into an amendatory bill, including a focus on strengthening local government units and capacity building for better disaster risk reduction and management.

“We need to have a change of mindset – from one that is reactive to one that is more proactive, more strategic and long-term,” Rebong said.

The Philippines also shared its perspective on how it is investing in building sustainable and resilient communities.

“For the Philippines, investing in resilience saves lives and money,” she said, stressing this should be a collective effort and at all levels.