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(Pasay City) The Asia-Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management (A-PAD) Philippines, with the support of the Government of Japan, held an international symposium with the theme “Strengthening Partnerships in Communities: Making Disaster Resiliency of Vulnerable Sectors A Priority.”

The symposium was held on Jan. 24, 2017 at 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at The Heritage Hotel Manila Roxas Boulevard corner Edsa, Pasay City, Philippines. It aims to encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships and make actionable commitments through the exchange of experiences on successful practice, alliance and partnership work, public policy, private sector engagement and local level implementation of efficient disaster response, and innovative approaches in reducing and managing disaster risk.

The symposium was attended by about 100 delegates which included A-PAD member country representatives from Japan, Korea, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Indonesia as well as delegates from the private sector, CSO, and government agencies in the Philippines.

International disaster risk and reduction (DRR) advocates from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Japan and local representatives from Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao discussed best practices as a result of public and private collaboration in emergency preparedness before, response during and rehabilitation after the recent disastrous events in Asia and in the country.

In his keynote speech, Senator Francis “Kiko” N. Pangilinan pointed out that without active support, the farmers will remain poor and dwell on subsistence farming and remain vulnerable to various risks brought by disasters. However, partnership with the business sector complemented by strategic legislation is the key to level up the capacities of the farming sector.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Executive Director Ricardo B. Jalad, through Asec. James Kristoffer Purisima, highlighted the importance of multi-sectoral  collaboration in DRRM and of information dissemination among stakeholders.

Meanwhile, Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Director Jerry T. Clavesillas cited a study commissioned by the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center in July 2015. It revealed that 77% of the respondents did not have a written business continuity plan – a key component in building disaster resilience. Hence, DTI is constantly working with relevant civil society organizations and government agencies to promote disaster resilience among Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME).

Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo, through Director Marita Pimentel, and Apolinar E. Aure, the Chairman of the SME Development Committe of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), have expressed their commitment to strengthen collaboration with A-PAD Philippines in working for the disaster resiliency of the vulnerable sectors in the country.

In conclusion, Ms. Lourdes Louella Escandor, Citizens’ Disaster Response Center (CDRC) member of the board and A-PAD Philippines co-chairperson said that hazards brought by recent disasters such as Typhoons Yolanda and Pablo have redefined the “new normal for destruction.” This shift, however, should pose as both challenge and opportunity to continuing strong partnerships forged among the stakeholders who are seriously practicing the culture of safety and disaster preparedness towards resilient communities.

This event is supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan through the Asia-Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management (A-PAD). A-PAD is a trans-national disaster aid alliance that works to facilitate cooperation and understanding between governments, private companies and NGOs in the Asia Pacific region. Presently, it has over 800 member companies from the business sector and 108 civil society organizations working together through National Platforms in Japan, Indonesia, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the Philippines.
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