The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities official, Red Constantino revealed to the media that the P10-billion budget for the Philippine hosting of the highly anticipated Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, should have gone to the rehabilitation of the Yolanda-affected areas and the climate mitigation and adaptation efforts of the country.
In a statement released to Interaksyon, Red Constantino noted that the Philippines could have opted out of the hosting right after super typhoon Yolanda, when the country experienced the worst storm in the history of man, or the government could have scaled it down.
The super typhoon Yolanda that hits the country last November 2013 affected more than 16 million people, displaced 4.1 million, and killed 6,300 with more than thousand still missing although remains have continued to be found two years after.
In response to the devastation of super typhoon Yolanda, the government allocated P167 billion over the three-year rehabilitation program from 2014 to 2016. As of June 30, 2015, the government has released P89 billion in shelter and other rehabilitation programs for Yolanda-hit areas.
In contrast to the government plans, the Aquino administration allocated P10 billion for the yearlong hosting of the APEC meetings. At least 47 meetings shall have been held before the big event on Nov. 13-19 when the Philippines takes limelight in hosting the huge trading bloc, composed of 21 economies in the Pacific Rim.
Red Constantino participated in the Climate Vulnerable Forum Sherpa Senior Officials Meeting, a conference of 20 countries most vulnerable to climate change held in Manila earlier this week. These countries are pushing for their collective commitment on climate change before the Paris talks in December.
