Keynote Speech of Senator Loren Legarda Awarding Ceremony of the Philippine Resilience Awards 2026 | 28 October 2026 | Manila City

Distinguished guests, resilience champions, colleagues in government, the private sector, academia, and civil society.

Today marks the fourth year of the Philippine Resilience Awards, a continuing commitment to recognize and honor individuals and organizations whose work strengthens our communities against climate change and disasters.

The news in recent weeks has been filled with stark warnings about the super El Niño – ranging from scorching temperatures and widespread provincial droughts to compounding health hazards. As we prepare for what lies ahead, I am deeply grateful to work alongside the resilience champions in this room – those who have been keeping our communities safe.

Today we recognize the leadership of women and youth, you who inspire our local leaders, civil society partners, colleagues in government, the private sector, and academia. Each of you contributes to a larger effort to protect lives, safeguard livelihoods, and build a safer future for our people.

Your work reminds us that resilience is not built by one person or one institution alone. It grows through cooperation, shared knowledge, and the determination of communities and their partners to prepare for the challenges ahead.

This year the Philippines continues to face climate-related threats, from intense rainfall and flash floods to extreme heat. Our climate is shifting dramatically, and our resilience will be tested, again and again. I cannot emphasize enough the  importance of anticipating risks and preparing for their possible effects on our water supply, food security, and livelihoods.

Resilience must begin long before disaster strikes. It means understanding the risks we face, strengthening early warning systems, protecting our ecosystems, and ensuring that our homes, schools, infrastructure, and livelihoods are better prepared for climate impacts. It also means learning from past disasters and addressing the vulnerabilities that leave communities exposed to repeated losses.

This is why the Philippine Resilience Awards holds such significance. Beyond recognizing outstanding work, the PRA gives visibility to initiatives that demonstrate how resilience can be built in our communities. It allows us to learn from those who have turned challenges into opportunities for action and whose experiences can inspire others to follow their example.

Our efforts must also be grounded in strong laws and policies. Through the laws I authored, including the Climate Change Act, Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act, and the People’s Survival Fund, we have helped establish important foundations for climate governance and adaptation financing. These measures affirm that resilience requires not only the commitment of individuals and communities, but also policies and resources that enable them to act.

But our work does not end with the passage of laws or the recognition of our champions. We must keep translating our commitments into meaningful action, strengthen partnerships, and ensure resilience initiatives get the support they need to grow and reach more communities.

To our local governments, may you continue to place resilience at the heart of your development plans.

To our partners in government, the private sector, academia, and civil society, may we sustain our cooperation and invest in solutions that respond to the realities of our communities. And to our women and youth leaders, may you continue to contribute your knowledge, raise your voices, and help shape decisions that will affect generations to come.

To every resilience champion, whether recognized on this stage or working quietly in your own community, your efforts matter. The work you do today  lives, prepares communities for future risks, and inspires others to take part in this shared responsibility.

As we honor this year’s awardees, let us remember that resilience is not measured only by how quickly we recover from disasters. It is also measured by how well we prepare, how effectively we reduce risks, and how seriously we protect those most vulnerable to climate impacts.

To our awardees, congratulations. May this recognition encourage you to continue your work and inspire more individuals, organizations, and communities to take part in building a resilient Philippines.

Let us move forward together, guided by the conviction that every life protected, every community prepared, and every risk reduced brings us closer to a safer and more secure future for all Filipinos.

Maraming salamat po!