Be 'proactive' vs climate change, Romualdez tells fellow parliamentarians in ASEAN
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House Speaker Martin Romualdez said member-countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) must be "proactive" in addressing the impact of climate change, which poses a serious threat to the sustained growth of the regional bloc. “As leaders, we must be proactive and take decisive action to enhance climate resilience and promote green economies by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, transitioning to renewable energy sources, and investing in sustainable infrastructure and transportation,” he said in a statement Wednesday, May 10. Romualdez headed the Philippine delegation of the ASEAN Interparliamentary Assembly (AIPA) during the regional lawmakers’ interface with ASEAN heads of state on the first day of the 42nd ASEAN Summit at the Meruorah Convention Center, in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. “Further, we also need to adopt a collaborative and holistic approach that leverages the strengths and resources of our individual nations in improving disaster risk reduction and management, promoting sustainable agriculture, and safeguarding biodiversity,” added Romualdez, arguably President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s most trust lieutenant in Philippine government. The Leyte 1st district congressman also underscored the importance of diplomacy in addressing the threats to regional peace and stability. He said that by strengthening existing mechanisms for dialogue and cooperation, ASEAN would help promote political and security cooperation among its members. “By collaborating in a spirit of openness, cooperation, and mutual respect, we can create a more secure and prosperous future for our region and its people,” Romualdez said.