Manila, Sept. 15 -- The Philippines has called on ASEAN member states to strengthen disaster preparedness, improve early warning systems and deepen regional cooperation as disasters become more frequent, interconnected and costly across Southeast Asia.

During the ASEAN Ministerial Conference on Disaster Resilience (AMCDR) held in Pasay City on Tuesday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, in his message read by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, noted that disasters know no boundaries and urged ASEAN countries to coordinate responses across borders.

"As we gather for the ASEAN Ministerial Conference on Disaster Resilience, we are reminded that disasters do not respect borders. In a region as interconnected as ours, our response cannot also stop...