Marcos: PH to have major influence in climate change issue

MONTALBAN, Rizal — President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Wednesday expressed belief that the Philippines would have significant influence when it comes to addressing climate change after the country was elected as host of the Loss and Damage Fund Board.

"Ngayon, ang Loss and Damage Fund Board ay—, magho-host ay ang Pilipinas. Kaya naman ay magiging malaki ang ating impluwensiya para lahat ng ating pangangailangan, lahat ng ating pananaw tungkol dito sa subject matter na ito ay maaari nating sabihin at maaaring magka-influence tayo, sasabihin natin hindi niyo naisip ito o ang kailangan niyo na gawin ay ganito. Lahat ng mga ganyan, may boses tayo na malakas," Marcos told reporters.

(The Philippines will now host the Loss and Damage Fund Board. That's why the we will have significant influence, for all our needs and beliefs on this subject matter. We can say things like, you should've thought of this, or you need to do this. We will have a strong voice in all of these.)

"Iyan ang pinaka-importanteng resulta sa pag-host ng Pilipinas sa Loss and Damage Fund Board," he added.

(That's the most important result of the Philippines' hosting of the Loss and Damage Fund Board.)

Earlier, the President said the hosting of the Loss and Damage Fund (LDF) Board would ensure that the voices of those most affected by climate change will be heard.

The Loss and Damage Fund aims to provide financial aid to vulnerable countries dealing with the negative impacts of climate change.

Marcos said the Philippines has nothing to do with climate change, adding that developed nations should be at the forefront in addressing its effects.

"Ang Pilipinas ay wala namang kinalaman sa climate change. Wala tayong ginagawa, wala tayong nilalagay sa environment na sumira at nagkaroon ng global warming, nagkaroon ng ito—, mga El Niño na ganito, mga bagyo na ganito," he said.

(The Philippines doesn't have anything to do with climate change. We have not done or put anything that would harm the environment and result in global warming. We've had our share of El Niño and storms.)

"Wala naman tayong kinalaman diyan. Kaya naman dapat suportahan tayo ng mga developed countries," he added.

(We don't have anything to do with those things. That's why developed countries should support us.)

In announcing the country's hosting of the LDF Board, Marcos said Tuesday that the Philippines was chosen out of seven other nations.

The Philippines garnered a seat on the LDF Board in December 2023.

Environment Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga earlier said the Philippines is the “most qualified” to host the LDF Board because it is a living testament to the effects of climate change.

"We are already host to UN entities, international and regional organizations, providing us the institutional capacity, expertise and partnerships to ensure the successful hosting of the Board. And we stand ready to offer our knowledge grounded in our long history and culture of human resilience," Loyzaga said at the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in Dubai last December. — VDV, GMA Integrated News