23 November 2016, New York City- Philippine Ambassador to the United Nations

in New York Lourdes 0. Yparraguirre underscored the empowerment of local

communities and public-private partnership as critical elements in the Philippines' national

strategy to protect critical infrastructure against terrorist attacks.

In a statement delivered at the Arria-formula meeting convened by the government

of Ukraine at the United Nations headquarters on 21 November, Ambassador

Yparraguirre said that the local government units, NGO's and civil society at large are

government's partners in its nationwide target hardening efforts to protect vital

infrastructure.

 

"They are force multipliers in conducting their area-specific training programs; in

raising security awareness and monitoring; and in preventing terrorist attacks against vital

institutions, places of convergence and economic key points," Amb. Yparraguirre said .

"Partnering with the private sector is given high importance, recognizing that many

places of convergence are also economic hubs run by private commercial entities," the

Ambassador added.

In addition to the empowerment of the local communities and partnering with the

private sector. she cited that under the Philippines' whole-of-nation approach to

countering terrorism , the terrorism prevention pillar aims to strengthen the security of

critical infrastructure, vulnerable establishments, facilities and places of convergence; to

strengthen inter-agency collaboration; to protect borders from crossing, entry and/or

departure of entities involved in terrorism ; and to interdict materials and tools used in

terrorism especially chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) materials.

"All these efforts remain firmly rooted in the principles of the protection of human

rights and the rule of law," Amb. Yparraguirre emphasized.

The November 21 meeting aimed to raise awareness of the impact that attacks on

critical infrastructures can have on communities. Critical infrastructure systems essential

to the well-being of society, such as those related to banking and finance,

telecommunications, emergency services, industry, transportation, high-tech energy and

water supply, have the potential to become "single points of failure". Such attacks often

result in the loss of civilian life as well as the destruction of property, and can even

compromise national defense capacities.

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