Philippines, Vietnam launch joint typhoon mitigation initiative
The Philippines and Vietnam have agreed to strengthen cooperation on disaster preparedness, emergency response and post-disaster recovery through a joint typhoon mitigation initiative aimed at improving their ability to respond to natural calamities.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Gen. Phan Van Giang agreed to pursue Project Typhoon Mitigation on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) and ADMM-Plus under the Philippines' 2026 ASEAN chairship.
The two officials recognized their countries' shared vulnerability to natural disasters, particularly typhoons that frequently pass through the Philippines before reaching Vietnam.
The initiative seeks to establish closer coordination between the two countries' defense establishments, military institutions and civil defense agencies.
Under the agreement, both sides will develop a joint protocol covering humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, early warning mechanisms and the prepositioning of critical resources.
Teodoro emphasized the importance of a science-based and proactive approach to disaster management, particularly through the timely exchange of operational information and the availability of essential supplies before calamities strike.
The two defense ministers also welcomed the voluntary participation of other countries to strengthen regional disaster response capabilities.
Giang reaffirmed Vietnam's commitment to existing bilateral and multilateral defense cooperation frameworks, emphasizing mutual respect and compliance with established regulations.
The initiative seeks to consolidate existing cooperation mechanisms between Manila and Hanoi while aligning their civil defense and humanitarian assistance efforts with ASEAN principles.
Both countries aim to finalize and implement the joint protocol through the eighth Philippines-Vietnam Deputy Ministers' Defense Strategic Dialogue and ninth Defense Cooperation Working Group meetings scheduled for the first quarter of 2027.
The initiative follows the elevation of bilateral relations to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership and the signing of a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation in 2026.
Both defense ministers also directed their respective agencies to pursue additional initiatives to strengthen mutual trust and operational cooperation.