“Resilience Must Begin Long Before Disaster Strikes”: Legarda Calls for Stronger Preparedness, Support for Local Champions at PRA 2026

Senator Loren Legarda called for stronger disaster preparedness, early action against climate risks, and sustained support for community-led solutions as the Philippine Resilience Awards (PRA) 2026 recognized women and youth whose leadership has helped protect lives and livelihoods.

In her message for the PRA 2026 awarding ceremony at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Manila on Wednesday, October 28, Legarda emphasized the need to anticipate risks, strengthen local capabilities, and address vulnerabilities that leave communities exposed to repeated disasters.

“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,” Legarda said.

Her call comes as the Philippines faces extreme rainfall, flooding, and rising temperatures, alongside a strong to very strong El Niño that threatens water resources, food security, and livelihoods. According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the ongoing El Niño is expected to persist until the first quarter of 2027, with its associated impacts potentially continuing through the first half of the year.

To address these risks, Legarda earlier filed Proposed Senate Resolution No. 733 to examine government preparedness, programs, and funding for El Niño, and introduced a 10-point action plan calling for early, science-based interventions to protect vulnerable communities and essential resources.

These efforts reflect the commitment behind the Philippine Resilience Awards, which traces its origins to an initiative first conceptualized by Legarda in 2013 to recognize disaster-resilient communities and encourage local leadership in disaster risk reduction. In 2015, she was named Global Champion for Resilience by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).

The PRA has since developed through partnerships with the Climate Change Commission (CCC), Philippine Commission on Women, National Resilience Council, and other organizations. The current annual awards recognized women leaders in 2023 and expanded in 2024 to include youth resilience champions, highlighting their contributions to climate adaptation, disaster preparedness, and community resilience.

This year’s awardee roster includes five women resilience champions: Deborah C. Dacanay, Angelina P. Galang, Marife M. Mustacisa, Mylene A. Rivera, and Rebecca A. Ynares. The youth category includes Ervie Ann C. Conte and James Nathaniel Refugio. Their initiatives address disability-inclusive disaster planning, climate education, resilient agriculture and fisheries, risk-informed land use, environmental protection, and youth-led community action.

“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,” Legarda emphasized.

The same commitment to strengthening community resilience is reflected in legislative measures Legarda has long championed, including Republic Act No. 9729 or the Climate Change Act of 2009, of which she was Principal Author and Principal Sponsor; Republic Act No. 10174 or the People’s Survival Fund Act, which she co-authored and principally sponsored to support local adaptation financing; and Republic Act No. 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, which she co-sponsored.

For Legarda, these laws must translate into stronger institutions and practical solutions that communities can sustain and adapt to their needs.

“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,” she stressed.

She urged local governments to place resilience at the center of development planning and encouraged government agencies, the private sector, academia, and civil society to strengthen cooperation with community leaders, particularly women and youth whose experiences offer valuable lessons in preparedness and risk reduction.

“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,” Legarda said.

The Senator congratulated this year’s resilience champions and encouraged them to continue sharing their knowledge and practical solutions so that more communities can prepare for future risks and build a safer, more resilient Philippines. (30)

Legarda, binigyang-diin ang kahalagahan ng maagap na paghahanda sa sakuna at lokal na pamumuno sa PRA 2026

Nanawagan si Senadora Loren Legarda ng mas maagang paghahanda sa sakuna, mas matibay na mga hakbang laban sa epekto ng pagbabago ng klima, at patuloy na suporta sa mga solusyong nagmumula sa mga komunidad, kasabay ng pagkilala sa mga natatanging kababaihan at kabataan sa Philippine Resilience Awards (PRA) 2026.

Sa kanyang mensahe para sa ginanap na parangal sa Polytechnic University of the Philippines sa Maynila nitong Miyerkules, Oktubre 28, binigyang-diin ni Legarda na dapat maagapan ang mga panganib bago pa mauwi sa sakuna, palakasin ang kakayahan ng mga lokal na pamahalaan at komunidad, at tugunan ang mga suliraning naglalagay sa mamamayan sa panganib.

“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,” ani Legarda.

Binigyang-pansin ng senadora ang patuloy na banta ng matinding pag-ulan, pagbaha, at pagtaas ng temperatura sa bansa, gayundin ang malakas hanggang napakalakas na El Niño na maaaring makaapekto sa suplay ng tubig, seguridad sa pagkain, at kabuhayan ng mga Pilipino.

Ayon sa Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), inaasahang magpapatuloy ang El Niño hanggang unang tatlong buwan ng 2027, habang ang mga epekto nito ay maaari pang maranasan hanggang unang kalahati ng taon.

Kaugnay nito, nauna nang naghain si Legarda ng Proposed Senate Resolution No. 733 upang suriin ang kahandaan, mga programa, at pondong inilaan ng pamahalaan para sa El Niño. Inilatag din niya ang isang 10-puntong plano na naglalayong maagapan ang mga epekto nito sa pamamagitan ng mga hakbang na nakabatay sa siyensya, lalo na para sa mga komunidad na higit na nanganganib.

Kaugnay ng pagsusulong na ito ang layunin ng Philippine Resilience Awards, na nag-ugat sa isang inisyatibang unang binuo ni Legarda noong 2013 upang kilalanin ang mga komunidad na nagpapakita ng mahusay na paghahanda at pagtugon sa sakuna. Noong 2015, kinilala rin siya bilang Global Champion for Resilience ng United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).

Sa tulong ng Climate Change Commission (CCC), Philippine Commission on Women, National Resilience Council, at iba pang katuwang na organisasyon, patuloy na lumawak ang PRA. Nagsimula ang kasalukuyang taunang parangal sa pagkilala sa mga babaeng lider noong 2023 at pinalawak noong 2024 upang kilalanin din ang mga kabataang nangunguna sa paghahanda sa sakuna at pagharap sa pagbabago ng klima.

Kabilang sa mga pinarangalan ngayong taon ang limang kababaihan na sina Deborah C. Dacanay, Angelina P. Galang, Marife M. Mustacisa, Mylene A. Rivera, at Rebecca A. Ynares. Kinilala rin sa kategorya ng kabataan sina Ervie Ann C. Conte at James Nathaniel Refugio.

Ang kanilang mga programa at inisyatiba ay nakatuon sa paghahandang isinasaalang-alang ang mga pangangailangan ng mga taong may kapansanan, edukasyon tungkol sa klima, mas matatag na agrikultura at pangisdaan, maayos na pagpaplano sa paggamit ng lupa batay sa mga panganib, pangangalaga sa kalikasan, at mga proyektong pinangungunahan ng kabataan.

“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,” paliwanag ni Legarda.

Matagal nang isinusulong ng senadora ang pagpapatibay ng kahandaan ng mga komunidad sa pamamagitan ng mga batas, kabilang ang Republic Act No. 9729 o Climate Change Act of 2009, kung saan siya ang principal author at principal sponsor; Republic Act No. 10174 o People’s Survival Fund Act, kung saan siya ang co-author at principal sponsor, na nagbibigay ng pondong magagamit ng mga lokal na pamahalaan at komunidad para sa pag-angkop sa pagbabago ng klima; at Republic Act No. 10121 o Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, kung saan siya ang co-sponsor.

Gayunman, iginiit ni Legarda na kailangang maramdaman ang mga batas na ito sa aktuwal na paghahanda at mga programang tumutugon sa pangangailangan ng mamamayan.

“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,” diin ng senadora.

Hinimok din niya ang mga lokal na pamahalaan na gawing pangunahing bahagi ng kanilang mga plano sa pagpapaunlad ang paghahanda sa sakuna. Nanawagan siya sa mga ahensya ng gobyerno, pribadong sektor, mga paaralan at pamantasan, at mga organisasyong sibiko na makipagtulungan sa mga lider ng komunidad, partikular sa kababaihan at kabataan na may mahalagang karanasan at kaalaman sa pag-iwas sa panganib.

“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,” ani Legarda.

Binati ng senadora ang mga pinarangalan at hinikayat silang patuloy na ibahagi ang kanilang kaalaman at mga subok nang pamamaraan upang mas marami pang komunidad ang makapaghanda sa mga panganib at makabuo ng mas ligtas at matatag na Pilipinas. (30)