By Prince Golez
Malacañang said it is not surprising that the Philippines ranked high on Global Climate Risk Index (CRI) 2020, adding that the country is found to be naturally vulnerable to climate-related hazards.
“The Philippines has long been identified as one of the countries most vulnerable to climate hazards, such as typhoons, floodings, landslides, and droughts. We are therefore not surprised that we are number 4 in terms of long-term CRI from a study done from 1999 to 2018,” said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.
The Germanwatch Global Climate Risk Index analyses impacts of extreme weather events such as storms, floods, heat waves and the like.
In a statement Wednesday evening, Roque said the Duterte administration is taking all necessary measures to mitigate and address the effects of climate change.
“For us to accomplish this task, we need the cooperation of all citizens. Through our collective action, we can build adaptive and resilient communities across the archipelago. This would be our gift to the future generations of Filipinos,” Roque also said.
According to the Palace official, the government formulated a Cabinet Cluster on Climate Change Adaptation, Mitigation and Disaster Risk Reduction Roadmap for 2018 to 2022 to mainstream climate change and disaster risk reduction to climate vulnerable provinces such as Metro Manila, Cebu, Iloilo and Davao.
He also noted that the President signed the Paris Agreement on Climate Change in 2017 and addressed the issue of climate change during the General Debate of the 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly last year, where he urged all parties to “make good and honor their commitment to fight climate change, and strengthen communities and peoples for preparedness and resilience.”
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