National resilience: A presidential imperative

The next national emergency may not announce itself through a devastating typhoon, a powerful earthquake, or a volcanic eruption. It could begin with a confrontation in the West Philippine Sea, a crippling cyberattack, an energy crisis, or a geopolitical conflict thousands of miles away whose consequences reach every Filipino household.

More frightening is the possibility that several crises could erupt simultaneously, overwhelming government institutions and exposing vulnerabilities that decades of reactive governance have failed to address.

The question is no longer whether another national emergency will come. It is whether the Philippines will be prepared when it does.

This imperative came into sharper focus during my recent conversation with former Interior and Local Government Secretary Rafael “Raffy” Alunan III, whose extensive experience in governance, national security and crisis management offers an important perspective on the challenges confronting our country.

Our discussion reinforced my conviction that national resilience must become a permanent organizing principle of governance, not merely an emergency response mechanism activated whenever disaster strikes.

For an archipelagic nation situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire, exposed to destructive climate-related hazards, and confronting an increasingly uncertain geopolitical environment, preparedness is no longer optional. It is a matter of national survival.

For decades, the Philippines has approached emergencies through the familiar cycle of warning, evacuation, rescue, relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

Our soldiers, police officers, disaster responders, local governments, and volunteers have repeatedly demonstrated extraordinary courage. Yet heroism after a catastrophe cannot substitute for preparedness before a catastrophe.

National resilience demands the capacity to anticipate threats, absorb shocks, sustain essential services and recover without compromising national stability.

It encompasses food and water security, energy, public health, cybersecurity, transportation, telecommunications, environmental protection, and continuity of government. These are interconnected pillars of national security.

The continuing tensions in the West Philippine Sea make this discussion particularly urgent.

While the Philippines must consistently uphold peaceful diplomacy, international law, and its sovereign rights, responsible governance also requires preparedness for contingencies arising from maritime confrontation or regional instability.

What happens if shipping routes are disrupted, fuel supplies become constrained, coastal communities lose their livelihoods, or communications infrastructure is compromised?

These are not predictions of impending conflict. They are legitimate questions that responsible governments must address before circumstances force difficult decisions.

A nation cannot depend exclusively on military preparedness while its food systems, energy networks, hospitals, supply chains, and civilian communities remain vulnerable.

Fortunately, the Philippines is not starting from scratch.

In August 2023, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order 37, adopting the National Security Policy 2023–2028 and directing government agencies and local governments to align their security-related strategies and programs.

On 11 March 2026, the Senate adopted Resolution 43, urging the Executive Branch to establish a National Contingency Framework and formulate a comprehensive National Contingency Plan addressing major domestic and international crises.