Philippines: Senator Legarda welcomes visit of UN Secretary-General's representative for disaster risk reduction

Senator Loren Legarda today welcomed the visit to the Philippines of Ms. Margareta Wahlström, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, stressing that it would help boost the country's disaster resiliency initiatives especially in light of the recent devastation brought by Tropical Storm Sendong.

Ms. Wahlström will be in the country from January 24-27 to visit the cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro, which were most affected by Tropical Storm Sendong.

Legarda, the United Nations Regional Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation for Asia-PAcific, said that Ms. Wahlström's visit will be helpful in sending the urgent message of integrating DRR and CCA in the development plans of both the national and local governments.

"We appreciate that Ms. Margareta Wahlström personally went to the Philippines to assess the aftermath of Tropical Storm Sendong and to encourage local government units to prioritize programs that would make their communities disaster resilient," the Senator said.

"Ms. Wahlström's visit sends a strong signal about the pressing need to include DRR initiatives--such as establishment of comprehensive land use planning policies and placing more investments on pre-disaster activities--among the priorities of the government," Legarda pointed out.

On Friday, January 27, Ms. Wahlström will have a press conference at the Astoria Plaza Hotel at 11:30am to discuss her visit to Iligan and Cagayan De Oro cities and her meeting with President Aquino.