‘Philippines seen as test case for loss, damage fund’

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos sees the Philippines as a test case for the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FrLD) following the four successive tropical cyclones that hit the country in the past three weeks, Environament Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said at the 29th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Baku, Azerbaijan.

“The Philippines may be a test case for the Fund in responding to this unique cumulative loss of lives and damage to critical infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, roads and water and power systems,” Loyzaga said.

Among the tropical cyclones that devastated the country were Kristine, Leon, Marce and Nika, while Typhoon Ofel has recently entered the Philippine area of responsibility. Another cyclone is expected to enter PAR and will be called Pepito.

Loyzaga and the co-chairs of the FrLD signed the Host Country Agreement, which is a critical element in the operationalization of the FrLD, and is key to unlocking funds to support the loss and damage needs of particularly vulnerable countries.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Antonio Lagdameo, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations, presented his second and final report as chair of the Working Group on the Protection of Persons in the Event of Disasters under the Sixth Committee of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. –  Pia Lee-Brago