EDITORIAL - New positions, better responses? There’s a presidential adviser for sustainable and resilient communities, and now there’s a special envoy for disaster risk reduction and management. With two new special positions plus the DENR secretary, the public should expect top-caliber responses to climate change-related issues and other environmental concerns. Before this, national attention was focused on the still unresolved budget and flood control corruption scandal as well as the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte. With two new positions created to deal with environmental issues, the public expects a marked improvement in disaster preparedness, mitigation and resilience.

Source: Philippine Star March 19, 2026 23:58 UTC