PH to push for stronger disaster risk reduction programs in Apec
The Philippines will advocate stronger plans and programs on disaster risk reduction and management at the 9th Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Senior Disaster Management Officials Forum in Iloilo next week.
“The general objective of the forum is to develop the Apec framework in disaster risk reduction as a new paradigm for coordinated and intra- and inter- economy plans, programs and actions for DRR with the Asia Pacific region in accordance to the Apec agenda, which aims to collectively adapt to the “new normal” and ensure resilience of Apec member communities,” National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Executive Director Alexander Pama said on Wednesday at Camp Aguinaldo.
He said the Philippines will emphasize that disaster can no longer be managed single-handedly and in isolation by an economy, a sector or an organization itself.
The forum will be held from September 22 to 23 in Ilolilo where representatives from 21 member countries will be present.
Some of the objectives include sharing experiences and new approaches in handling disaster impacts as well as revisit existing disaster risk reduction mechanism and discovering new approaches in managing the disaster impacts towards building resiliency.
The delegates of the forum would create a disaster risk reduction framework for the member countries. The Philippines will be represented by selected NDRRMC-member agencies.
The Philippine delegation will be led by NDRRMC Chairman and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, who will also serve as keynote speaker.
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