Makati: The Philippines is spearheading efforts to establish a regional roadmap aimed at enhancing timely and effective access to emergency support among the 11 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) during disasters and extreme weather events. The initiative is part of the Philippine-initiated Manila-ASEAN Strategic Protocol for Emergency and Comprehensive Transformation (ASPECT) Framework, which the country is advocating for ASEAN adoption before concluding its bloc chairmanship in 2026.
According to Philippines News Agency, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian announced during a press conference following the week-long ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) meetings in Makati that the ASPECT Framework will introduce a 'trigger mechanism.' This mechanism aims to enable rapid cross-border provision of emergency assistance among ASEAN states. The framework seeks to develop a roadmap for regional interoperability and coordination, ensuring timely and effective support in anticipation of and response to disasters and extreme weather events.
Gatchalian emphasized the vision of transforming disaster response practices to be anticipatory, integrated, and inclusive. He highlighted that the new framework would enhance the efficiency of the existing ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster. The response, he noted, should be collective and commensurate with the magnitude of a disaster. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. aims to align this with the current setup, ensuring a different approach that is rapid and commensurate, involving more countries in disaster response when disasters become extensive.
Gatchalian pointed out that climate change and disasters are no longer confined to one country, as weather patterns often impact multiple nations. He cited instances where disasters affecting the Philippines also impacted Vietnam. The draft for a Leader's Statement on the framework is currently being circulated among ASEAN member states, with an adoption target set for May during the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu.
