The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) anticipates significant advancements in disaster risk reduction strategies following the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDDR) hosted by the Philippines.
DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga emphasized the necessity for comprehensive strategies to tackle a range of natural hazards—including tropical cyclones and earthquakes—as well as man-made risks associated with technological events and environmental degradation.
At the Philippine International Convention Center, Loyzaga told reporters of the Asia-Pacific region’s vast potential, saying it is home to over 60 percent of the global population and rich in cultural and natural resources. But she cautioned that the region is also the most disaster-prone in the world, with vulnerabilities that outpace existing capacities.
Loyzaga outlined the Philippine government’s efforts to align international commitments with the Philippine Development Plan and emphasized the need for capacity-building initiatives in collaboration with foreign counterparts. This includes addressing new types of waste arising from shifts to alternative fuels.
Despite recognition of the Philippines’ progress in disaster risk reduction, Loyzaga said the ongoing need for improvement. She called for the integration of various sectors, including academia, civil society, and local government units, to foster a sustainable disaster risk reduction agenda.
The APMCDDR, running through Friday, serves as a vital platform for regional cooperation and aims to enhance the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, engaging a wide array of stakeholders in the process.
