Armed Forces of the Philipines must be resilient – Legarda

From Update Philippines (Sep 1): Armed Forces of the Philipines must be resilient – Legarda

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) must be resilient as an institution so that it does not only respond to disasters but also help build resilient communities, Chair of the Senate Committees on Climate Change and Finance Senator Loren Legarda said during the hearing on her proposed Senate Resolution No. 449 August 30.

The hearing aims to look into the climate related risks and capacity challenges that impact on the AFP’s ability to respond to non-traditional forms of threats.

“As first responders in times of disasters, the AFP has to be a resilient institution – ready and capable to perform its role, not just in times of disasters, but to help build resilient communities. We cannot count on the AFP to be effective in its mission unless it is, on its own, a resilient institution,” Legarda said.

The Senator said there is much to be done in making AFP’s properties and equipment resilient and she shared adaptation measures that the military can do in their camps, within their communities, and in their own homes.

Examples of adaptation measures include multi-hazard early warning systems; putting up rainwater harvesters, seed banks, and rooftop gardens; building roadside ditches and seawalls; reforesting mangroves; utilizing indigenous knowledge on disaster resilience; and undertaking regular drills for disaster preparedness.

“Our military must be resilient because you yourselves must survive to save lives; you cannot be effective first responders if you yourselves are victims. AFP’s disaster resilience as an institution needs to be guaranteed so that it may effectively discharge its expanded roles in the face of climate impacts and increasing disaster risks,” said Legarda.

Among the recommendations during the hearing are promoting peer-to-peer learning among AFP officials and personnel on DRR and CCAM good practices in camps; building capacity for DRR and CCAM from the current competencies and strengths of the AFP and its reservists; and making AFP defense planning and budgeting sensitive to disaster and climate risks.

https://www.update.ph/2017/09/armed-forces-of-the-philipines-must-be-resilient-legarda/20418