MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos will vie for support from other Southeast Asian nations at the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit regarding the country’s bid to host the board of the loss and damage fund (LDF).
“Not only the two of them [Japan and Australia] but all of the participants of the meeting. ASEAN-10, plus Japan and Australia, and we’re batting to host the board of the loss and damage fund,” DFA Assistant Secretary Daniel Espiritu said at a Malacañang press briefing on Monday.
The LDF is a climate fund set up to help vulnerable countries cope with the costly and damaging impact of climate disasters.
The Philippines has repeatedly shown its intent to host the fund’s board at the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in Dubai.
READ: PH ‘most qualified’ to host climate fund, says DENR chief
In the same briefing, the Presidential Communications Office explained that the country has expressed intent to host the LDF board in Manila and to secure a seat on the board as well.
READ: PH hosting of climate fund gets mixed reactions from pro-environment groups
Securing a seat on the board will allow the Philippines, one of the most vulnerable countries to the impacts of the climate crisis, to air its opinion on how the fund would be distributed.
On Saturday, Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga told United Nations (UN) delegates at COP28 that the Philippines is “most qualified” to host the board of the LDF for “being a living testament to the effects of climate change.”
This repeated show of interest in hosting the board has drawn mixed reactions from Filipino pro-environment groups.
While they welcome the proposal, they said that they will remain vigilant about how the country will address foreign policies related to climate justice.
Marcos is scheduled to leave for Japan on December 15 to participate in the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit for the 50th anniversary celebration of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation.
READ: DFA: DTI to pursue earlier business pledges in Japan meet this week