The Philippines is pushing for the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) to hold a base in Manila, noting the country’s extreme vulnerability to climate change and calamities.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. welcomed members of the Board of the FRLD in a courtesy call in Malacañang on Monday.

The FRLD is the body mandated to lead the management of funds to assist climate-vulnerable developing countries. It is holding its fourth board meeting in Manila.

“We’re working very hard for the board to be based here in Manila because (of) its supreme importance for the Philippines, because of all of the risks that we are bracing (for), because of climate change,” Marcos told the board.

The President cited the record disasters that hit the Philippines in the past weeks.

He also acknowledged that addressing climate change needs every country’s participation.

“The momentum since the Industrial Revolution is something that can’t be easily moved or stopped or at least redirected. In the meantime, I hope all of you can find solution so that we, in the Philippines, most of our people do not suffer,” he said.

“That’s how urgent we consider the board’s work and how it is important to us that you work here in Manila, in the Philippines.”

The Board consists of 26 members from the Conference of the Parties (COP) and Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA), with 12 members from developed country parties and 14 members from developing country parties.

The Philippines secured a seat on the Board as a permanent representative of the Asia-Pacific Group for 2024 and 2026 and as an alternate representative of the Asia-Pacific Group for 2025. (PNA)