As a 1st-timer attendee to such this conference i feel excited to explore and gain something from the topics at hand.

The 1st session highlighted the select government leaders across the asia pacific sharing their insights, experiences and innovations on how they integrate Disaster Risk Reduction to Climate Change Reduction.

The efforts and commitment of presenters were commendable and it was first time for me to hear about Making Cities Resilient with ready tools accessible for our LGUs to use.

Though LGUs PPAs on DRR and CC matter, depending on its priorities, i can say that our LGUs in the Philippines can do a lot given its 5% LDRRMF.

The result of SGLG assessment on LDRRMF utilization however, somehow manifest that there are still LGUs that remained reactive in disaster preparedness efforts, hence a need to produce more DRRR experts in LGUs to further DRRM CCA efforts.

Atty. Rochelle D. Mahinay-Sero, EnP

DAY 1

Session/s Attended:

*United Cities and Local Governments Asia-Pacific (UCLG-ASPAG)- Reception Hall @ PICC Mezzanine

*Art Exhibition - SM MOA Music Hall

Learnings/Insights/Recommendations:

In the first session with the good SILG and other functionaries in attendance , I learned that, there are disasters that exceeds our ability as a people to respond so that it is best to be ready for it. In disaster preparedness, I remember the cliche’ “hope for the best but prepare for the worst”. Preparedness means having strategic plans to strengthen LGU response to disasters and the importance on investing in capacity development of policy makers, implementers, private sector and communities. It also means strong partnerships with all stakeholders, fostering that preparedness culture. It also means recovery ready, ability to bounce back and build better if damage is imminent.

I would like to believe that most of our LGUs are resilient. After all resilience is a local concern being the impact area it necessitates readiness in all aspect of disaster risk reduction and management. Over the years DILG has been prodding to implement the Sendai Framework, RA 9729 and RA 10121 and others. Let us refine things a little bit more.

While we seem to be powerless in the midst of a disaster there are also several ways we could mitigate or prevent it from happening if we have to be proactive and have “drastic” measures to save us all and follow environmental laws to the letter, thusly these came to mind:

~ to mitigate urban heat and restore green spaces and greenbelt areas in building sites, let us require developers to plant that much trees they have uprooted or require to incorporate trees in their buildings’ design;

~ as much as we can, we go for nature-based solutions (bamboo dikes; mangroves for storm surges…)

~to require building owners to provide for rainwater impounding, drainage that connects to major drainage canals;

~identify strategic dam locations to save run off water and for renewable energy purposes in all areas nationwide and look at ways how we can manage water;

~withdrawal of government permits or titles granted in forest lands or protected areas;

~strict implement of the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 2018 (ENIPAS)- stop the reclamation of marshlands as they act natural sponges to absorb surface water and makes for a healthy ecosystem, and keep buffer zones true to purpose, among others;

~revisit the power of the Mayor to grant exemptions on locational clearance under the zoning ordinance- we should follow the requirements of nature for our safety not the other way around;

~ to make mangrove reforestation a mandatory action in all coastal areas;

~youth involvement in all aspects of DRRM;

~incentivize schools and communities in DRRM practices and systems; and

~ let us have beautiful and scenic coastal highways, all resorts at the other side of the street and streets borders the beaches so that everybody could have free access and minimize pollution and deprivatize our beach access.

“God give us men (and women), a time like these demands strong minds, great hearts, tru faith and ready hands…” {Josiah Gilbert Holland}

@art exhibit in SM MOA

Atty. Rochelle D. Mahinay-Sero, EnP

Day 2

Sessions Attended:

*Welcome Ceremony @ Plenary Hall

*Plenary 1: Practical Solutions to Enhance Disaster Reduction Finance-@Plenary Hall

*Harnessing AI for Disaster Reduction: Innovation and Application

*Ministers Forum-@Pavillon

*Building Local Government Resilience Leveraging Ecosystems, Climate Information and Finance- @RM 5

INSIGHTS/RECOMMENDATIONS:

We have brought to ourselves disaster and it is also upon us to have the solutions.

So today, the President of the Republic talked about green and blue bonds-Green and blue bonds are financial instruments designed to support environmental and sustainable development projects, so that green bonds‘

Purpose is to Fund projects that have positive environmental impacts, like renewable energy, energy efficiency, and climate-resilient infrastructure.

These bonds can finance initiatives that help communities adapt to climate change, reduce vulnerability, and enhance resilience against disasters.

While blue bonds are specifically focused on marine and ocean-related projects that promote sustainable use and conservation of ocean resources.They can support initiatives like coastal protection, marine ecosystem restoration, and disaster preparedness strategies that leverage marine biodiversity.

Together, these bonds encourage investment in sustainability tailored to address climate change and disaster risks, helping communities safeguard against future hazards. The President also went on saying the importance of sustaining the data on disaster predictability, a call to safe guard our people, to be inclusive, promote nature based solutions, innovate, whole of nation approach, foster open dialogue and regular critiquing, engage the private sector and adherence to international legal framework.

I also learned that there is a loss and damage board part of the climate fund that PBBM was talking about earlier. The necessity of investing in resilience by the public sector as well as private sector.

In the afternoon, I had the opportunity to appreciate the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in DRRM. Concepts like data annotation, data bias and human-centered design is all but interesting to me. Indeed it upgraded preparedness and response interventions though it has limitations but it makes the work easier. It needs to be precise.

What struck me the most are these words from the Special Representative of the Sec Gen of UN-why don’t decision makers listen to us (academe and scientists)? - Because decision-makers thinks differently. Here’s what she suggested, with the big scope of knowledge let us train ourselves to ask pertinent information and use that.

In the Ministers Forum, a Minister of Mongolia presented displacement of people in the context of climate change. Hearing this, I thought of those in chronic flooded areas. Our government as guardians of the rights of the people should be able to come up with proactive strategies with the LGUs on this issue- such as aggressively identifying these specific areas in the country and provide for relocation sites, among others. Let us have policies that protect rights of displaced persons and how they could be helped.

The last session was a presentation of specific strategies aimed at building resiliency.

Atty. Rochelle D. Mahinay- Sero, EnP

Day 3

Sessions Attended:

*Plenary 2: Leaving No One Behind: Gender-Responsive and Inclusive Disaster Risk Governance-@ Plenary Hall

*Empowering Resilience Through Collaborative Actions: Building Gender-Responsive Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Action in Bangladesh and Philippines- @Banquet Hall 1 and 2

*Visited Booths @ Marketplace

*Children and Youth as Agents of Change for Disaster Resilience Empowering Young People in DRR and Climate Action Through Policy, Education and Immersion

Learnings/Insights/Recommendations:

In all of the sessions I attended here under are the overarching and recurring themes of the presentation and discussions:

Leaving No One Behind is at the core context of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030). It emphasizes the importance of ensuring that all individuals and communities, especially the most vulnerable, would benefit from disaster risk reduction efforts.

In DRR there should be inclusivity, strategies must include all segments of society, particularly marginalized and disadvantaged groups, such as women at risks, children, the elderly, people with disabilities, indigenous populations and the transgenders.

In addition , equitable access to resources, information, and decision-making processes related to DRR was strongly advocated by most speakers. As it is crucial that all persons are actively engaged and empowered when it comes to DRR matters.

Further, ideas presented highlights, participatory governance which means involving local communities in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of DRR initiatives to reflect their needs and priorities like the sharing of the PWD Action Officer of the Solomon Islands using the bus as metaphor, they now ride with the driver (President or Officials) in the bus and not outside pushing it as it was before. The provision of hygiene kits for girls and women were some examples that personal needs are also considered.

Moreover, providing targeted support and resources to those most at risk ensures that no one is left vulnerable in the face of disasters was an important point in the conversations. This includes prepositioning of cash assistance before a disaster strikes to empower person or groups on their decisions to secure their persons and properties along with technical, and logistical assistance as in the case of Bangladesh and our country. On the technical aspect, the story of Malaysia was inspiring having developed school module in their language to educate children on DRR using interactive methods. Indonesia’s sharing centered around capacitating students on green skills and encouraging them to develop systems and technologies on DRR.

Discussions also put emphasis on monitoring and evaluation or the regular and constant critiquing and feedbacking on the systems implemented to monitor progress and evaluate the impact of DRR efforts on all population groups. This will also help identify gaps and areas for improvement, ensuring that no group is overlooked.

I liked the sharing of Secretary Teodoro when he said that the Bayanihan spirit could evolve into heightened care for each member in one’s community thereby fulfilling to the “leave no one behind” principle. He also added that to avoid siloing, in relation to Senator Legarda’s saying that we have a tendency to think in silo, synergy is important to make things happen with decision makers and implementors.

I was also delighted with Senator Legarda’s presentation about the importance of following zoning ordinance and strictly follow the no build zones and to build right at first sight.

To sum up the day’s topics~"Leaving no one behind" underlines the commitment to be inclusive and equitable in our disaster risk reduction strategies. By prioritizing vulnerable populations, this framework aims to create resilience and reduce the overall risk of disasters for all members of society.

The severe weather conditions we experience today—leading to losses in both lives and property—are a stark reminder of the urgent need for better and more effective interventions. Why haven’t we fully adopted risk-informed and risk-specific approaches? It’s time that our plans and interventions go beyond mere compliance and embrace strategies that directly address the unique vulnerabilities of our communities. Only then can we build a more resilient and prepared nation.

If we can only strengthen the two thematic pillars of Prevention and Mitigation, and Preparedness, the need for extensive Response and Rehabilitation efforts would be significantly reduced. The mitigation measures provided by the DOST, including their systems and technology, should serve as the foundation for determining the level of preparedness required by our LGUs. Why aren't LGUs fully maximizing these systems and technologies? Incorporating them into every aspect of LGU planning and action can lead to the "calamity-proofing" of entire localities.

I am grateful that my recommendation to localize DOST's Handa Pilipinas through a Provincial Handa Pilipinas caravan will soon be realized. This initiative will provide invaluable support to LGUs, helping them fully appreciate and implement the prevention and mitigation measures that DOST has to offer. At the same time, it will serve as an opportunity to encourage all LDRRMCs not only to be proactive but also to foster interactive efforts. By doing so, we can ensure that these initiatives are sustainable in the long run.

I was privileged enough to be encouraged by my colleague from LGA and my assigned LO to attend the WIN DRR Finalists Awards Forum at SM MOA on the first day of the APMCDRR activity. Hearing the advocacies of the finalists captured my attention, specifically the Youth Uprising Philippines, an organization that offers free environmental and agricultural education to marginalized Filipino youth in public schools, both in classrooms and on farmlands across the country. It has affected the lives of almost 98,000 public school students alone only in Las Piñas. What more if this can be replicated all over the country. I am hoping that the PCW and NYC can tap this group to be a partner of our young women leaders and our SK Officials to combat hunger and to collectively empower them. This can lead to building resiliency among our youth leaders at the same time contributing to the success of our HAPAG Program. A quote worth sharing from the founder of this organization, Robyn Mijares, is “I want to advance innovative and sustainable farming for the Filipino youth to never be hungry, but always have the hunger for change. Changing agriculture in the Philippines one school at a time, one student at a time.” 

Another noteworthy finalist is Build Change from Indonesia, a women-led global social innovation organization dedicated to making every building disaster-resilient. Their mission focuses on improving infrastructure in disaster-prone countries, ensuring they are built to withstand future risks. Notably, Build Change also plays a key role in assessing the structural integrity of existing infrastructures.

This initiative presents a valuable opportunity for PCW and CODIX to explore partnerships that incorporate infrastructure audits by women architects and engineers in the country, as part of the Operation Listo program. In the Philippines, many of our infrastructures have not been properly evaluated by structural engineers, leading to significant building deficiencies.

Through Build Change’s Safer Schools Programme, our local advocates can draw inspiration and implement similar innovations. This will help us develop more effective strategies for ensuring the resilience and safety of our country’s infrastructures.

During the lunch break, RD Karl and I had the opportunity to explore the marketplace. We were fortunate enough to connect and reconnect with several exhibitors (UNICEF, PLAN International, CRS, PEMAT, First Gen, Youth Cares, etc.) where we engaged in advocacy discussions about how the DILG can support or partner with them. Many potential partners are still not fully aware of the extent to which we can assist or how to maximize a partnership with our department, particularly in reaching our LGUs. This underscores the need for further collaboration and awareness-building to fully unlock the potential of these partnerships.

Atty. Rochelle D. Mahinay-Sero, EnP

Day 4

Sessions Attended:

*Plenary 3: Localization and Urban and Rural Resilience - @ Plenary Hall

*Ignite Stage Forum - @ Marketplace

*WS: Increased Access to Finance For People-Centered and Inclusive Local Resilience- Summit Hall D

Learnings/Insights/Recommendation:

At the Plenary, the Mayor of Sendai put forth concrete actions when she was asked what is your surge to 2030 and here are the points that I noted, to continue to engage grassroots leader in DRR, continue capacitating their leaders,constant community engagement and investment in early warning systems.

In the Ignite Stage, speakers were given ten minutes to present their ideas, one of them is the alternate view of the development equals destruction idea, among other ideas, he intimidated that tax and fines imposed should be greater than the cost of not caring for the environment. The speaker also talked about rebound effects of loss in production and waste in the market if carefully kept in a balance would not necessarily lead to destruction given that there is interconnectedness between efficiency and use of resources and economic activities. These idea is important in creating sustainable practices and policies that minimize waste and enhance resilience in production systems.

There was also a presentation in changing our mindset in dealing with rain and flood control. The high annual rain fall in our country should be our greatest asset only we should find ways to store it for future use. He also said that there is missing when we only think of infrastructure solutions to flooding, we should also look into our land use management and reforestation programs. He also added that water impoundment should be part of our strategies in flood control; the multi use of dams for drinking water source and hydropower plants for electricity production. I agree that the convergence of water sector initiatives allows the efficient use of government funds for multipurpose infrastructure and, more importantly, maximizes the countrys water resources to achieve food, water and energy security.

To highlight further the importance of of community engagement in DRR, the pacific women has this “nothing about us without us” for indeed who can better articulate their needs but they themselves. I just love how they put it out in one sentence.

In the end, the formula for disaster resilience is there , we have been doing good in our DRR efforts but there’s still more to do from preparedness to recovery, more tweaking of our systems in place, changing mindsets, and constant innovating is our surge to 2030.