Senator Imee Marcos on Thursday called for urgent action to upgrade the country’s disaster preparedness and the need for a national climate strategy.

Marcos also emphasized the importance of improving infrastructure and developing green infrastructure solutions.

“Every year, we’re battered by storms and floods. If we don’t take action now, we will all remain at risk. Three to five typhoons are still to come. There’s still time to climate-adapt our homes, at least to some extent,” she said in a news release.

Senator Marcos, who chairs the Committee on Foreign Relations, mentioned that during the 29th Conference of the Parties on Climate Change, concerns were raised about the impact of former US president Donald Trump’s election on climate resilience and financing, as his administration may withdraw from the Paris Agreement and reduce support for UN climate initiatives.

She cited the need for self-reliance and adaptation to the new normal, as the new Trump administration may be less generous to international organizations and programs.

“While the rest of the world also struggles with climate change, and experts are willing to help us, we can only count on our own volition and action to adapt to this new normal. The new Trump administration will be far less generous to the UN and other world organizations. Even new loss and damage programs are now at risk of defunding,” Marcos warned. (PNA)