President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday said his government will seek a review and assessment of the treaty agreements signed between the Philippines and its long-time ally, the United States, as well as enhance partnerships on climate change mitigation and adaptation.
“Well, siyempre liliwanagin natin ulit ang talagang mga treaty agreement sa gitna ng Pilipinas at saka ng Amerika at titingnan natin kung dahil nga maraming pagbabago ay ‘yung climate change ay naging malaking bagay at magpapatulong tayo na para ano bang mga puwedeng gawin, ano bang mga strategy na puwedeng gawin,” said the President in an interview with broadcaster and former Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo on Monday.
The chief executive said Manila and Washington officials will discuss commitments to the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), a 70-year-old accord between the two allies.
“We have to evolve it. It has to evolve dahil nag-e-evolve din, kailangan ina-adjust adjust din natin ‘yan dahil mayroon din talagang evolution, nagbabago rin sa sitwasyon na hinaharap natin dito sa South China Sea, sa gitna ng mga pangyayari, sa Taiwan, sa North Korea, lahat itong mga ano, na medyo umiinit ang sitwasyon dito sa atin,” said the President.
The Philippines earlier named Naval Base Camilo Osias in Santa Ana, Cagayan; Lal-lo Airport in Lal-lo, Cagayan; Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela; and Balabac Island in Palawan as additional EDCA locations.
The proposal to add additional EDCA locations was announced by the Philippines and US defense departments last February.
In terms of climate change initiatives, the chief executive said he will be meeting with top US officials to discuss “green bonds,” which are financial instruments linked to climate change solutions and are specific projects to help reduce carbon emissions.
“Mayroon silang binibigay na tinatawag na green bond. Ibig sabihin, magbibigay sila ng pondo para tulungan tayo para ayusin. Halimbawa ‘yung mga no build zone na ilipat dadalin sa — ilalayo sa dagat para naman hindi na tamaan ng ano, hindi na tamaan ng mabibigat na bagyo,” said the President.
“Meron na rin tayong ginagawa doon sa climate change na may value ‘yung gubat. Basta’t may gubat ka, may value ‘yun, puwede mong lagyan ng dollar value ‘yun. At ‘yun ang puwede mong gamitin, puwede mong gamitin na pag-invest para doon nga sa mga pondo na binibigay. So malaking malaking bagay ‘yun,” added the President. (PND)
