President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. believes the Philippines will be able to considerably influence international response to the matter of climate change after having been selected to host the Loss and Damage Fund Board.
"Ngayon, ang Loss and Damage Fund Board, 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 stated.
("Now, the Loss and Damage Fund Board will be hosted by the Philippines. That is why our influence will be great, so all our needs, all our views on this subject matter can be voiced out. We can say, 'You didn't think of this,' or 'You have to do this.' [To speak out on] all of these, we have a loud voice.")
"Iyan ang pinaka-importanteng resulta sa pag-host ng Pilipinas sa Loss and Damage Fund Board," he continued.
("That is the most important result in the Philippines' hosting of the Loss and Damage Fund Board.")
The President proudly announced the Philippine's designation as host on his official X account on Tuesday, July 9, in which he promised that climate policies to be implemented globally would be molded after the needs of populations which take the brunt of climate-induced disasters.
"Hosting the LDF Board reinforces our dedication to inclusivity and our leadership role in ensuring that the voices of those most affected by climate change shape the future of international climate policies," he said.
I am proud to announce that the Philippines has been elected to host the Loss and Damage Fund Board, out of seven other contenders. We are also honored to have a seat on the Board itself, ensuring that the Philippines will be a formidable voice in promoting and advancing global…
— Bongbong Marcos (@bongbongmarcos) July 9, 2024
As the Philippines is not responsible for climate change, Marcos said, developed countries should lead the way in mitigating its effects. The Loss and Damage Fund Board is geared towards this very purpose, to provide countries adversely impacted by climate change with financial aid.
"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 has nothing to do with climate change. We have done nothing, we have not put anything in the environment that has harmed it and caused global warming, caused El Niño like we have, typhoons like we have.")
"Wala naman tayong kinalaman diyan. Kaya naman dapat suportahan tayo ng mga developed countries."
("We have nothing to do with that. That is why developed countries should support us.")
In December 2023, the Philippines obtained a seat in the Loss and Damage Fund Board during the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) held in Dubai.
