Luigi calls for climate funds for disaster risk reduction

CEBU, Philippines – Rep. Luigi R. Quisumbing of the sixth district will file a resolution that would urge the House Committee on National Defense to conduct an inquiry on the implementation of R.A 9729 particularly on the need to have a predictable, united and continuous financing for climate change related disaster risk reduction and management initiatives.

The step the congressman will take was prompted by the joint report of the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) and Oxfam entitled "Financing Adaptation or Funding Chaos?" and the onset of climate-change related disasters such as the ones caused by Typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng last year and the super typhoon Juan (international name Megi), that is ravaging Northern Luzon.

"We have entered the season of climate-induced disasters with the arrival of super typhoon Juan and the forecasted onset of La Niña. The Climate Change Commission needs to coordinate with appropriate agencies not only with respect to disaster risk reduction and management plans but also for purposes of identifying international as well as domestic sources of funds to finance disaster risk reduction and management initiatives particularly on the local level," said Rep. Quisumbing.

The ICSC and Oxfam report indicates that most adaptation initiatives including the disaster risk reductions are being funded through loans and the legislator said that this is in direct contrast with the position the country is taking in the international climate change negotiation that financing for adaptation should be considered as compensation.

"The government, through a collegially functioning Climate Change Commission, should provide a coherent and consistent domestic policy track particularly in the climate financing issue," Quisumbing said.

He also said Congress needs to establish a long-term, predictable, community-based fund for disaster risk reduction and management.

Vulnerable Filipino communities deserve no less. This is already a matter of survival for our constituencies and the government should be able to defend its people. (FREEMAN)