At the recent Conference of Parties (COP) 29 ministerial dialogue in Baku, Azerbaijan, the Philippines called for “bold actions and sustained, increased financing once and for all for all countries that are perpetually on the frontlines of catastrophic typhoons.” A fortnight ago, the Philippines and its co-chairs of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) signed the Host Country Agreement, affirming their resolve to vigorously pursue the FRLD’s mandate that “includes a focus on addressing loss and damage to assist developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change in responding to economic and non-economic loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change.
In 2013, Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) left a destructive trail involving ₱95 billion in damage, compounding the loss of more than 7,000 lives, with some 30,000 missing. Until today, badges of its unprecedented trail of death and disaster remind the survivors of the constant imperative to maintain heightened preparedness and vigilance. According to Statista, “government expenditures on climate change reached its highest allocation in 2015 reaching about ₱445 billion.” Notably, however, greater weight has been placed on mitigation rather than prevention. Hence, Statista recommends the setting aside of a higher budget for disaster preparedness, incentivizing the private sector to opt for climate-friendly business decisions and foster greater public awareness.
Republic Act No. 9729 was enacted in 2009, “mainstreaming climate change into government policy formulation, establishing the framework strategy and program on climate change, (and) creating for this purpose the Climate Change Commission.” The President is chairperson, with three commissioners, one of whom is vice chairperson who serves with Cabinet rank. Congress also passed Republic Act No. 10121 in 2010, mandating the crafting of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan which provides the legal basis for policies, plans, and programs to deal with disasters.
Clearly, a comprehensive governance framework has been put in place. Effective executive action is imperative. This involves tapping all concerned agencies of the national government and mobilizing local government units that are at the forefront of safeguarding communities at the grassroots level. Yet, these are significantly affected by the dynamics of international negotiations.
At its conclusion, the COP29 official website made this announcement: “The Baku Finance Goal sets (a) new global target to channel $1.3 trillion of climate finance to developing countries by 2035 in (a) significant uplift. This includes a new core finance goal of $300 billion that triples the previous $100 billion target.”
The Philippines and other countries least responsible for climate change but are bearing the brunt of its heaviest toll are demanding greater accountability from the countries that are responsible for the highest quantities of harmful carbon emissions. Addressing the delegates of the 2024 Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction at a dinner reception that he hosted recently in Malacañang, President Marcos emphasized the importance of working together to address and mitigate the impact of climate change, reduce disaster risks and losses, and protect lives and livelihoods. He declared that his administration’s climate agenda are focused on “deeper innovation, closer coordination, and whole of nation approach.”
Indeed, while the importance of financing losses and damage caused by an increasing wave of highly destructive typhoons is key to recovery, the will and resilience of a determined nation is still of paramount significance in responding to climate change.