ASIA-PACIFIC DISASTER MEET STARTS, NCR GUN BAN IN EFFECT

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) will implement a gun ban in Metro Manila starting today, October 14, 2024, for the five-day Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) to be held in Pasay City.

Based on a memorandum issued by PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil on Saturday, permits to carry firearms outside of residence are suspended until October 18.

Only uniformed personnel of the PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines and other law enforcement agencies are allowed to carry firearms while on duty.

The APMCDRR will commence today at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.

The event will gather governments, international and civil society organizations, the private sector, science, academe and stakeholder groups to strengthen cooperation on disaster resilience and risk reduction.

Hosted by the Philippines for the first time, the APMCDRR will run from October 14 to 18 to advance, monitor, review, and enhance cooperation for the implementation of the goals, targets, and priorities for action of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, the global blueprint to prevent new and reduce existing disaster risks.

The biennial event is expected to draw over 4,000 high-level international and local delegates from 69 countries.

Convened by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction,  the confab will facilitate the exchange of practical solutions, promote inclusive disaster risk governance, and enhance resilience in Asia and the Pacific.

With the theme: “Surge to 2030: Enhancing Ambition in Asia-Pacific to Accelerate Disaster Risk Reduction,”  the conference emphasizes the urgency of strengthening regional efforts to ensure a safer future for all.

For the event, Malacañang suspended government work and classes in all levels in the cities of Pasay and Manila on Octtober 14 and 15.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos will host a Ministerial Reception at Malacañang Palace in Manila on Monday night.

He will then lead the grand opening ceremony on Tuesday.

Marcos has been championing disaster resilience and risk reduction under his administration, emphasizing the Philippines’ vulnerability to natural disasters and calamity due to its location and climate change.