In the wake of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine’s widespread devastation, Senator Loren Legarda is urging a strategic shift in disaster risk reduction and management, emphasizing that community-centered, locally driven initiatives are essential to safeguarding lives and building resilience across the Philippines.
In a recent radio interview, Legarda highlighted the critical role of local chief executives in understanding disaster and climate risks within their jurisdictions. “Local leaders must not only recognize these dangers but also educate their constituents and work together to mitigate them,” she stated. “The aftermath of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine underscores the need for proactive measures at the local level.”
Legarda also acknowledged the vital support of government agencies in empowering local government units (LGUs) to reduce disaster losses and respond effectively. “Agencies like the Climate Change Commission, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development are crucial in ensuring that Local Climate Change Action Plans and Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plans are science-based, up-to-date, and responsive to climate impacts,” she added.
Highlighting the importance of education, Legarda pointed to state universities and colleges as essential partners in guiding LGUs on risk assessment and local development planning. “Their expertise is invaluable for effective disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation,” she noted.
Known for her long-standing disaster risk reduction advocacy, Legarda emphasized that despite the Philippines’ well-developed DRR policies and increasing awareness of climate risks, effective disaster risk management must prioritize local community engagement and capacity building. “From November to 2025, I will be organizing workshops for local governments focused on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. This commitment is about ensuring that preparedness reaches the last mile and is practiced by the people most at risk.”
As a UNDRR Global Champion for Resilience, Legarda underscored the need for risk-informed development and disaster-resilient infrastructure, including strengthened early warning and response systems across all levels. She urged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) to enhance hazard risk assessments, multi-hazard impact-based forecasting, and early warning systems. “Communities must be aware of flood and landslide risks to enable proactive disaster prevention. Timely forecasting, early warning, and rapid access to pre-positioned resources save lives,” she emphasized.
Reflecting on the immediate needs following Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, Legarda stressed the responsibility of local leaders in providing accessible food, potable water, and evacuation facilities. “We extend our deepest sympathies to those who lost loved ones. My team has been distributing essential supplies to affected families since the typhoon’s onset,” she noted.
She also called for a long-term strategy to address vulnerabilities, especially in underserved areas. “Beyond immediate relief, we must support agricultural and fishing communities in building back stronger through alternative livelihoods and social programs,” she emphasized.
Senator Legarda’s advocacy underscores the urgent need for heightened community awareness of landslide and flash flood risks, the pivotal roles of local leaders and government agencies, and the collaborative efforts needed to reduce disaster risks and prevent losses from increasingly frequent natural hazards amid climate change.
