Philippines: Govt must address disaster risks - ADB

“The Philippines is one of the world’s most natural hazard-prone countries,” said Bart Edes, director of the ADB’s Poverty Reduction, Gender and Social Development Division in an interview with Business Mirror. “Agriculture, health, water resources and infrastructure are likely to be severely impacted by climate change, and displacement of populations is expected.”

Edes said the government should strengthen the coordination at the national level on disaster-risk management, noting the importance of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 and the Climate Change Act of 2009 that provide a legal framework for shifting the focus from a purely reactive approach to include stronger proactive risk management and preparedness.