Day 1: Local and Regional Government Assembly

1. Role of Local Government Units in mainstreaming DRR-CCA initiatives

   The Philippines ranked highest in World Risk index in 2022 and 2023 notwithstanding it strategic location in Southeast Asia faces a significant threat to natural hazards such as tropical cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, among others. In line with this, different interventions related to disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation and mitigation were crafted to reduce the risks from the national government to local government units. Several thematic and sectoral plans have been crafted to support the said initiatives with the goal of reducing the loss of lives, assets, and livelihood of the people caused by natural hazards.

2. Different interventions to employ *****

   Several capacity development interventions should be employed to LGUs

   
   

3. Other areas to work on to have a whole-of-nation approach in terms of DRR-CCA?

   Partnerships with other government agencies, reflection from the experiences of other LGUs, innovations, collaboration with private companies.

Other insights/reflections:

• United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in partnership with Positive Youth Development Network (PYDK) and Kabataang Resilient focuses their interventions on youth involving Sangguniang Katabaan, out of school youth, persons with disabilities, among others in their learning activities they implement. Their learning activities focuses in orienting these youth in terms of disaster preparedness. I shared that the Local Government Academy has also this kind of similar intervention (WEmboree: Changing the Mindset from Me to WE) to youth especially to Sangguniang Kabataan. (more to follow HAHAHAH)

Attended the morning sessions, one on transboundary water governance and the other on anticipatory action at the intergovernmental level (i.e., among different states).

Insights and recommendations:

1. For conferences (or in-person breakout sessions), provide a "grace period" in between sessions to allow transfer of participants from one room to another, and to cushion any events that may exceed their time allocation. The two sessions I attended earlier were in the same meeting room, so by 11:00 AM several people stood up and left even if the session was still ongoing. It was awkward seeing that as a participant. Certainly, it was more awkward for the organizers and the panelists who were onstage.

2. The session titles alone are littered with jargon and buzzwords. I understand that the conference is designed for practitioners, but conference organizers might benefit from hiring a copywriter to influence the titling for better clarity, and maybe a style guide or simple considerations that can be given to panelists, presenters, etc so they can at least make their presentations less "opaque" (i.e., understood only by themselves, or those working in niches).

3. The panel on intergovernmental alliance on anticipatory action had too many panelists. I understand they were highlighting the alliance, given the roster of panelists....but they all seemed rushed to cover their talk points. Even the round of follow-through questions felt contrived.

4. The registration and claiming of conference kits went smoothly! The early registration paid off. Though the kits didn't have printed schedules, I wished the conference was more proactive and deliberate in advocating for digital references. The QR code behind the ID was even just for the attendance, which I think is a missed opportunity.

1. LOCAL AND REGIONAL GOVERNMENT ASSEMBLY

“Bringing Science and Technology closer to the LGUs”

One of the highlights of the session was delivered by Mr. Marco Rinata Tuscano (?), the Chief of United Nations Office on Disaster Risk Reduction - Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific during his context setting of the mentioned session. Living in a modern yet complex society just like what we have right now can have pros and cons. One of the advantages that we are experiencing is the advancement of science and the smart use of technology.  Both concepts of Science and technology can be correlated with modernization and development. This move is very essential for the LGUs which are in desperate need of modern equipment and new scientific approaches and concepts. This will allow them to have a significant change in many aspects such as disaster preparedness. The disadvantages, on the other hand, is the funding of these science-based projects. While many of our scholars have the idea and proposed projects, the National Government does not have the funds for the implementation and for the continuity of these programs.

2. METEOROLOGICAL DATA ACQUISITION STATIONS FOR INFORMATION DISSEMINATION (MASID)

“PhilSensors”

While visiting the booths from our conference’s exhibit, I remembered the key message of Mr. Tuscano emphasized during his context setting. The exhibit of the Department of Science and Technology really embodies the idea of bringing Science and Technology closer to the LGUs. It showcased two of the Department’s flagship modern equipment: the Water Level Monitoring Station and the Agrometeorological Station. Both of these equipment are either ready for commercial purchase or already distributed in some LGUs.

The Philippines, which is located inside the Pacific Ring of Fire, is one of the world’s most disaster - prone countries. In line with this, DOST implemented numerous disaster risk reduction projects in order to mitigate the damage and loss from calamities and most importantly, for climate change adaptation. The MASID or Meteorological Data Acquisition Stations for Information Dissemination aims to continue the efforts of the National Government in strengthening the country’s disaster preparedness and mitigation plan. It also consists of technical assistance and the maintenance of the PhilSensors. These equipment will be a game changer and will be a great example of how we can bring Science and Technology in our Local Government Units.

Here are the examples of PhilSensors.

1. Automated Rain Gauge (ARG) - measures rainfall amount, duration and intensity.

2. Automated Weather Station (AWS) - stores, records and acquires weather data.

3. Water Level Monitoring Station (WLMS) - measures the varying levels of any body of water.

4. Water Level and Rain Monitoring Station (WRMS) - measures rainfall and changes in water level.

5. Agrometeorological Station (AGROMET) - measures wind speed and direction, air temperature, solar radiation and sunshine duration for the development and planning of cropping patterns. 

6. Flood Early Warning Station (FEWS) - serve to warn residents of impending flood in a certain areas

7. Meteorological Buoy Station (METBUOY) - gathers meteorological and oceanographic sensor data, specifically air pressure and temperature, wind speed and direction, wave height and period, and sea surface temperature.

8. Community Tsunami Alerting Station - designed to alert and warn coastal area communities for incoming tsunamis.

1. Inter-regional issues have different effects on communities, depending on their context, peculiarities, and opportunities, which require various approaches and actions to address the complex nature of the problems. In the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) River Basin, there have been various efforts from the concerned countries, such as partnerships with different stakeholders, raising local finances for relief operations in high-risk locations, and mobilizing technical expertise within the area. However, concrete results are yet to be seen or felt in the surrounding areas.

2. There has already been an increase in resources, available financial instruments, and international assistance regarding transboundary water governance concerns. Countries, especially those surrounding the GBM River Basin, have made conscious efforts to enhance their financing mechanisms through bilateral relations with other countries, allocate local funds to transboundary water governance, and utilize assistance from international partners such as UNDP and ADB. The pressing question now is how this fiscal space can be maximized and utilized in a more concerted manner.

3. Despite the considerable efforts being directed toward the issue, I believe there should be an integrated approach with the GBM River Basin as the core focus. There should be a unified framework and a collaborative space where the concerned countries can work hand in hand to address the impacts of the issue in their respective localities.

In such matters, it is crucial that cooperation among all stakeholders is a primary consideration. Furthermore, beyond mere involvement, stakeholders’ capacities should be improved, and participation should be streamlined.

• On such a large scale international stage it was pleasing to see LGUs front and center presenting their cases, it might be a prime opportunity to review best practices on DRR.

• It was also interesting to see a speaking engagement of the new SILG and hear his support for DRR initatives

Localization on Momentum: The Philippines is Responding to the Call for Localization. How should the Humanitarian World Scale Up?

• Anticipatory action through local a NGOs - this concept here really boils down to local organizations being capacitated as first responders in DRR

• "What does localization really mean" it means supporting duty bearers

• Scaling up does not only mean spreading outwards but can also mean reaching out to local talents so that they may be mobilized

• An interesting theme here is that the concept of localization should be shifted from being seen as a movement or loss of power but as collaboration focused on better preparedness

• Challenges of localization: complexity, layered platforms and its cascading, importance of feedback loops, concepts of power and community

Others:

• Was impressed on the organizational side of this activity, from the scheduling to the layout of each session

• After observing a few ignite session the set up and audio does not make it a condusive set up for learning and makes it difficult for the presenter to retain attention.

I initially preferred to go where the long queues are, but then, not wasting this opportunity, I went to the sessions on less discussed topics in the conversations I am used to.

Meeting Room 4 - Transboundary Water Governance--

1. It was an eye opener for me as a person who grew up away from the shores. Besides the usual disaster (typhoons) the Philippines is stricken with, I realized that climate change brings about its most challenging effect yet- and that is the melting of the glaciers that gives my mind a picture of waters taking over the shores of islands and countries that are near these regions.

2. The northern part of the globe is in an emergency situation and inter regional cooperation is the only way they can mitigate the impacts of climate change. They are on the right track on the risk reduction part-- you don't wait for the ice to melt just yet---you prepare for it.

3. You don't wait for the disaster--- you minimize the impact.

4. Locally raised finances is limited to search and rescue — funds can be / should used for risk reduction, manned by provincial gov't- move settlements to higher location - safer grounds, EWS, simulations , drills-  

especially in small mountain communities, 

5. Disaster knowledge hub should be set up in every community — locals (not only the people in position) should be given the opportunity for a scientific discussion and community involvement

6. Gender Equality, Social Inclusion 

SILG Remulla Jr., urges the participants to three key points; first, to strengthen the interregional disaster plans for vertical and horizontal integration; second, to integrate science, technology, and innovations on disaster preparedness; and lastly, to incentivize the local government units through the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) Award by using Disaster Preparedness and Resilience as a major parameter of local excellence. 

Mr. Marco Toscano-Rivalta, Chief of UN Office on Disaster Risk Reduction, set the context for the event to discuss climate variability having been increasingly localized. Supporting local actors, MSMEs, in understanding the most fundamental measures to tackle those challenging localization, requires a constant search for granular data that captures the variety in society and the vulnerabilities, socio-economic, and environmental diversity - data that can be shared with the national government institutions. Economic empowerment of local governments can be materialized in the specific transfer of funds - perhaps looking into the revision of PDRR law. Because the fiscal capacity of each LGU is different. Especially considering that disaster resilience relies heavily on fiscal capacity or, rather, their fiscal vulnerability. How can LGUs prepare themselves to fill the gaps?

At the end of his speech, he left one key message: “How can we work together to change, in imaginative ways, on impacting the environment, changing how we build schools, buildings, and telecommunications, to invest more into readiness rather than bury ourselves with the burden of recovery?” This statement alone has set the tone for, not only the panel’s discussion but for the entire week.

Then after some preliminaries, the discussion proper began with two questions in mind: first, How are local and regional governments integrating disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in development plans? Second, How are local and regional governments financing their DRR and CCA Plans?

Members of the panel that aim to answer these questions are the following:

1. Mayor Abby Binay, Makati City;

2. Mayor Casimiro A. Ynares III, Antipolo City;

3. Mayor Bruce Matabalao, Cotabato City;

4. Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda, Borongan City;

5. Mr. Tsuyoshi Yunomura, Deputy Director General of the City Planning Policy Bureau of Sendai City, Japan; and

6. PCol. Cornelio R. Salinas, Department Head DRRM, IloIlo City.

Mayor Abby Binay discussed Enhancing DRR Financing for a Sustainable City by first focusing on their road to resilience; mainstreaming CCAM, and DRRM, in their local development plans; how they integrate a whole-of-society approach into addressing DRRM concerns; utilizing MCR 2030 tools in crafting community resilience roadmaps; and having a gender-responsive and people-centered planning. In this regard, they had integrated the Climate Change Expenditure Tagging in all of their city plans, such as the annual investment program, comprehensive development plan, and local development investment program. Makati City is observed to really invest heavily in upgrading their DRR equipment and infrastructure in their command center. It has utilized 70% of its city funds for early warning systems and flood control measures, as well. All of these, Mayor Binay has reiterated, have been possible because of their emphasis on using data-driven and science-based decision-making to justify in legislation and budget planning how they can effectively procure and use all these technologies to aid in disaster preparedness. Alongside this, they have definitely benefited from engaging with the private sector in partnership with KOICA for smart transport systems, MACEA, and MERALCO to build EV charging stations throughout the city, and others. 

The discussion highlighted the many ways in which Makati City has invested in disaster preparedness, also tapping into the aid of MDBs and other stakeholders, that other local government units can replicate as a primary strategy to make their communities disaster resilient.

Likewise, the representative from Antipolo, Rizal, had also discussed the experience of their locality that made efforts to integrate DRR measures in planning and infrastructure, issuance of ordinances, and implementing a local climate change action plan. Their secret lies in the mantra, “Ultra Vires”, which is Latin for “beyond one’s strength”. The recent disasters have made them realize that disasters are not something that we can control at the time when it is happening, but perhaps a look into, Intra Vires, might change their perspective and focus on their own capacity to yield better results and lower vulnerability.

Mayor Agda from Borongan City shared that a whole-of-society approach covers both natural and man-made disaster through integrating good governance practices. This is in line with the people-centered approach and encouraging the participation of all community members to practice DRR - because at the end of the day, they are all affected by it, no matter who or in what stature.

To summarize the entire session, the common denominator among the sentiments and experiences of these local authorities’ measure in financing DRR is the reliance on the law-provided DRRM budget from the National Tax Allotment and the initiatives or collaboration efforts with the Private Sector and Non-Governmental Organizations, both local and international. In local legislation, financing development in terms of DRR, and financial capacity is a real vulnerability among LGUs but it is also considered as a widespread challenge within the Asia-Pacific region. “Typhoon-proofing” is an expensive, morally, and legally difficult challenge because it encompasses all pillars of society at once, and making an effort to solve each one takes time and a lot of resources. But one recommendation is highlighted under the idea that DRR may not be as expensive as investing in new technology, we may look at the “wisdom” of other communities that we can share - the idea is to cure our collective amnesia because we solve on disaster and we do the same mistakes all over again, making a different kind of cycle. Solving challenges of financing in DRR may be done at the grassroots level, which is something that local officials and the DILG may consider.

The second session that I have attended is the one called “An Inclusive Approach to Disaster Risk Financing - Learning from Local Experiences”, which offered insights into how different stakeholders can actively contribute to bolstering resilience measures for communities and governments and highlighting the importance of the collaborative approach between agencies and the private sector.

However, rather disappointingly, as I had expected the discussion to revolve around discussions on financing from the grassroots level for communities, it heavily relied on resource persons from insurance companies in their respective countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Therefore, it veered away from the main objective of the session and stumbled into a consolidation of “best practices” for insurance companies to adopt new measures on parametric insurance payouts for all affected individuals to be more “inclusive” without even diving into why they needed to be inclusive. Yes, they highlighted that PWDs and women and children are one of the most vulnerable groups in a disaster that is least resilient but that does not invoke anything new. So, that may be considered by the moderator of the session itself. What I did like about the session was the initiative of ease-of-processing payouts and a priority to lower the cost of disability based on their needs at a specific point in time. They even have a tagline for this: “Affordability, Accessibility, Adaptability, Availability, and Quality”.

That is all for my first day. Hope to have a more interesting and engaging discussion on the second. 🙂

(if you want to copy my notes, just message me in Google Messages or Spaces and I'll provide you with my GDrive link hehe)

1. Importance of early warning and action - early warning systems and early action are crucial for mitigating the impacts of disasters;

2. Need for Multi-Sectoral Collaboration - effective DRR requires collaboration among governments, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society;

3. Role of Local Governments - local government units play a vital role in implementing DRR measures at the community level;

4. Challenges of climate change - climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of disasters, making DRR more urgent than ever.

5. Importance of inclusion - DRR efforts must be inclusive and address the needs of vulnerable populations, including women, children, and marginalized communities;

6. Role of Innovation - innovation being an essential part for developing new approaches to DRR and adapting to changing conditions;

7. Cooperation and Collaboration - international cooperation and collaboration are crucial for addressing global challenges like DRR;

8. Economic implications of disasters - disasters can have significant economic impacts, making DRR a critical investment; and

9. The Need for sustainable development - DRR must be integrated with broader efforts for sustainable development.

The need for continued efforts to build resilience to disasters in the Asia-Pacific region and emphasize the importance of collaboration, innovation, and inclusion in DRR initiatives are essential. These key points must be cascaded down to the local chief executives to be implemented, whenever and wherever possible, to make their local communities more resilient and disaster-ready.

Other than that, the first session attended after the morning tea was the event on Practical Solutions to Enhance Disaster Risk Reduction Finance. This panel discussion and key note presentations focused on three key areas; making international financing more cohesive and accessible, including for smaller countries; mobilizing domestic investments in disaster prevention and preparedness; and engaging the private sector to boost investments in both national and international disaster risk reduction investments.

The message is clear: “Invest in prevention and resilience - Now!” integrating DRR into every national and local budget is necessary for crisis prevention. The moderator initiated this by suggesting budget stress-testing in all phases of the process for DRR so that you can learn to identify key challenges and benefits that may be monitored and evaluated by other localities that may benefit from these initiatives to further close the data gaps in DRR funding.

Secretary Maria Antonio Yulo Loyzaga, from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, emphasized that investing in resilience is paramount. That, although there have been advancements in the Asia-Pacific region in recent years, multi-purpose flood control infrastructure is a priority for adaptation, as one of the most in-demand necessities that our localities face. In this regard, mobilizing private sector services for DRR, securing supply chains and agricultural care for MSMEs already support 98% of our economy, rely on innovative financial mechanisms. Really, an all-of-society approach is needed to continue to address the risk, intersectionality, and fragility of ecosystems.

The Secretary for Economy and Development, Sec. Arsenio Balisacan said that economic consequences are profound. Stating that the Asia-Pacific region is at the forefront in terms of financing mechanisms for disaster bonds and impact insurance payment claims after catastrophic events but traditional corporate and social responsibility to activate economic assistance for businesses and households to recovery needs to be looked into. Because in times of crisis, we rely on the resilience of the economy to be able to go quickly “back to normal”.

Then, as the Private Sector Representative, CEO, and Chairman of the Ayala Group of Companies, Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, emphasized the responsibility of the private sector in making their businesses accountable to DRR. He states that DRR should be incorporated in enterprise risk management and business continuity practices and be well-part in corporate strategies. Corporate sustainability performances, including how companies impact the environment, through disclosing their mitigation, adaptation measures, and impacts on climate change, is a considerable step towards resiliency, fiduciary responsibility, and adaptation to disasters and the private sector as well would greatly benefit by focusing on these initiatives. 

(More learnings can be found on my notes, I can provide a GDrive link when asked hehe)

Excited for the third day 🙂

Insights and recommendations:

1. The singing of the Philippine national anthem by the UP Madrigal Singers.....nakakakilabot. Despite my complicated feelings with nationalism, in that brief moment, I felt a certain pride. The opening ceremony overall felt impactful insofar as inducing a "ceremonial"/special feeling. How may we recreate this experience in all our learning events?

2. A third of the conference is about financing. In the plenary session, business leaders (i.e., Ayala on Tuesday) are positioned alongside Cabinet secretaries. There's something that can be said about the ominous presence, if not capture, of the private sector in this conference. You have a major business leader who holds several key industries, and businesses, talk about their contributions to building resilience. Right by the entrance of the Marketplace is an elaborate exhibit by San Miguel about their efforts to rehabilitate rivers in Metro Manila. We know as well that this conference is partially financed by donations from the business sector. This observations stirs an internal conflict. The Ayala conglomerate was accused of preying on disaster victims in Sicogon, Iloilo, driving them away in the guise of rehabilitation. San Miguel only dropped the Pasig River Expressway (PAREX) project just this 2024 after public uproar among environmentalists. I think of the private sector's contribution to DRRM-CCAM not as generosity, but as reparations.

3. The working session that afternoon was the fruit of the team's (mostly Ma'am Joy's) labor since April this year -- from collecting ideas from DILG and DHSUD to drafting the concept note to selecting the speakers. Felt happy, and in some weird way, absolved.

This is one of the sessions I attended on the first day of this week's full of sessions.

This session highlighted the vulnerability of the Asia-Pacific region to natural disasters and how it can be resolved by having innovations at the local business level. By having innovation, the readiness and resilience of the communities against disasters will greatly improve, and that things such as early warning systems will develop, emergency response plans, and the use of digital tools for response and recovery.

It was mentioned that the role of the private sector is really evolving and beyond one-time assistance to local government communities and the approach is becoming to be a more sustainable one. One of their goal is to build on the existing structures on the ground and look at the intersectionaility among he residents, leaders that they have worked on and the local government units. They also ensure that there is a development, not only in business continuity, but service continuity, both by the public and the private sector.

I also learned that during the times of crisis, they have an open source technology where they can see all the private sector assets that can help them respond. Which can not only help during time of crisis but also in preparation, providing early warning systems, what they are detecting and where the crisis is going to occur. According to the speaker, these are the parts where the governments struggle to bring together and coordinate the problem, and by now, being resolved. The open source technology now provides support and ensures that they will be able to aid to the communities.

I commend all the efforts and initiatives made by the private sector in helping to build a resilient future in the communities after listening to the speakers. Also, as to how advanced the technology nowadays is,  I have no idea about most of them and how they are being gathered and used. Technology, data, and science are really something else!! @__@

The morning session on Day 1 of the conference provided valuable insights into Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and its relevance at the local, national, and global levels. The keynote speakers and stakeholders emphasized the importance of multi-level cooperation and proactive planning to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Here are my key takeaways from the session titled "Local and Regional Government Assembly".

1. Synergy Between Local and National Governments in Climate Change Adaptation

• A crucial point was raised during the session: Mr. Dakila Carlo Cua, Ms. Imelda Calixto-Rubiano, Mr. Marco Toscano- Rivalta, Dr. Raditya Ja-ti, Atty. Marlen Abigail Binay, Mr. Casimiro Ynares III, Mr. Jose Ivan, PCol. Cornelio Salinas, etc. was the importance of coordination between local and national governments in planning for climate change adaptation. Effective collaboration enables national, regional, and local communities to respond swiftly and with purpose, ensuring that efforts to address the impacts of climate change are both efficient and effective. The commitment to achieving the 2030 Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) goals must be viewed as a shared responsibility, driven by the principles of cooperation, innovation, and investment.

2. Accountability and Trust as Pillars of Resilience

• Another significant takeaway was the emphasis on collective accountability. The session highlighted that trust in disaster risk reduction efforts grows when stakeholders can see tangible outcomes from their contributions. Government efforts to streamline processes and execute disaster preparedness plans not only secure the necessary resources but also empower communities to face and recover from disasters. The link between accountability and trust is essential to building resilient systems and communities.

3. A Unified Framework for Calamity Response

• I agree with Dr. Raditha Ja-ti when she emphasized that calamity response efforts must be framed around a unifying framework that integrates all sectors of society, protects vulnerable populations, and localizes the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction principles. This framework seeks to create safer and more resilient communities by ensuring that local actors are equipped and empowered to respond effectively to disasters. It reinforces the need for inclusive approaches that protect all sectors of society and address the needs of the most vulnerable.

4. Comprehensive Development Planning (CDP) and the Whole-of-Society Approach

• Mr. Junjun Ynares III mentioned in the discussion the need for a Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) that employs a whole-of-society approach. I completely understood and supported this because by integrating disaster risk reduction strategies into national development systems, the plan would reflect the support of local actors and encourage more cohesive action across all levels of governance. This holistic approach ensures that disaster risk management becomes an integral part of sustainable development, rather than a reactionary measure to crises.

5. Investment in ICT and Science-Based Decision-Making

• I remember Hon. Abby Binay, Makati City Mayor mentioned that she's striving for a "Better Makati" and one way to do this is by investing in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and disaster risk reduction equipment was another key takeaway for me. The use of data-driven and science-based decision-making processes is crucial to developing strategies that are not only effective but also sustainable in the long term. By investing in technology, governments can better support disaster risk reduction initiatives, enabling them to respond to disasters in ways that serve the best interests of their citizens.

• In summary, the session underscored the importance of collaboration, accountability, strategic planning, and investment in technology in building resilient communities that can withstand the challenges posed by climate change and other disasters. These reflections highlight the urgency of continued efforts toward achieving the 2030 Disaster Risk Reduction goals and creating a safer, more sustainable future for all.

As I reflect on the second day of the Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, I find myself overwhelmed by the depth of knowledge and insights gained. This day's sessions provided a wealth of information, making it challenging to distill everything into a few words. However, the following points capture the essence of what resonated with me:

1. "Climate Change Transcends Borders"

• This statement delivered as opening remarks remained a focal point throughout the discussions, underscoring the fact that climate change knows no boundaries. The global responses to climate-related risks emphasized the necessity of cooperation across borders and sectors, ensuring that no community is left behind. It was a reminder of the shared responsibility we all bear in mitigating the impacts of climate change, and it illustrated how interconnected our world is in facing these challenges.

2. Global Solidarity and Inclusive Commitment

• The emphasis on global solidarity and a united, inclusive approach was evident in discussions on policies and laws related to loss and damage. These frameworks provide the foundation for effective action, ensuring that efforts are not only collaborative but also resilient. The unwavering commitment to addressing climate impacts reinforces the need for an inclusive process, where no one is left out, and the most vulnerable are supported through comprehensive policies.

3. Producing Knowledge to Foster Awareness

• A key takeaway from the day was the importance of raising awareness by producing knowledge products. The alignment of these products with academic institutions allows for the dissemination of valuable, research-driven information that is essential in promoting a deeper understanding of disaster risk reduction.

  
  

4. Coherent Action from Organizations and Networks

• The call for organizations, bodies, and networks to collaborate coherently in risk reduction efforts highlighted the need for unified action. This alignment ensures that the response to climate change and its impacts is strategic and effective, directly addressing the needs of the people on the ground. It was clear that successful risk reduction depends on collaboration, shared vision, and coordinated efforts among those who lead this advocacy.

  
  

5. Youth Participation and Advocacy for Inclusion

• One of the most inspiring aspects of the day was the active participation of a young boy (forgot the name) when he asked questions to the panelists the panelists reassured him that their voices were not only heard but also given a seat at the table, allowing them to share their vision and knowledge on risk-related topics. This is crucial, as the future of climate action and disaster risk reduction directly impacts them. The inclusion of youth and marginalized groups drives home the message that advocacy must be for everyone, creating platforms and solutions tailored to the diverse needs of different communities.

  
  

Day 2 of the conference reinforced the importance of global cooperation, inclusive policies, and the role of knowledge-sharing in disaster risk reduction. The involvement of youth and marginalized voices further solidified the idea that climate resilience and risk reduction must be approached from a holistic and inclusive perspective. These reflections capture the profound learning that emerged from the sessions, urging us all to act with purpose and unity in building a better future to live on :)))

Dalawa na lang utang ko, yey!! haha

• A key concept was the notion of country driven and not donor driven. Our initatives can benefit from this line of thought where it can be LGU driven instead of donor driven, the phrase being applied in a smaller scale would be something like in our programs where the enthusiasm of our recipients can ensure proper continuation of our initatives

• Japans approach to PPP is interesting where they fully utilize long term partnerships

• Barriers to practical financing is efrective gathering and disbursing of data

AI Innovations in Diaster Risk Reduction and Management: Enhancing Systematic Risk Analysis for Resilient Future

• This talk focused on the importance of data annotation, data bias, and a human centered design

• The works of PhilSA in DRR

  • hazard management and climate studies

  • generation of maps

Strengthening ASEAN DRM by Harnessing Copernicus Data

• Opportunities of copernicus data in the Philippines

  • As a the first copernicus mirror site in ASIA

  • Models and Satellite examples of coastal flooding and rising sea levels

  • Pdedicition and anticipation of climate change / disaster effects

Based on the discussion from this regional conference, here are some of the key recommendations that local government units could adopt to fully realize these initiatives:

1. EW4ALL and Anticipatory Action - this initiative ensures that Early Warning Systems (EWS) are accessible to everyone regardless of gender, disability, language, or technological barriers. Information dissemination in forms that accommodate those who are physically challenged is a must. As emphasized in one of the sessions, there is a glaring disparity in the impact of disasters on women, children, and PWDs as the most vulnerable margin of society - they are the least resilient group. In this regard, designing anticipatory actions that consider the specific needs of these people and other at-risk groups is also seen as a focal point to consider;

2. Mainstreaming Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) - integrate GEDSI principles into DRR policies, plans, and communication strategies. Use accessible communication formats, e.g., sign language, braille, plain language and so on, for early warnings; and

3. Capacity building - provide training for LGU personnel on inclusion, including sign language training for better communication with deaf communities. In order to raise awareness or make more collaborative efforts, we integrate the strategic action plan at the local level.

This is in line with the objectives of the Sendai Framework on including GEDSI, that is, to accelerate achievement of the SF for DRR 2015-2030 goal, outcome, guiding principles priorities and target by sustainability increasing resource allocations, activities and impacts of gender-responsive DRR and substantially decreasing gender-related disaster risk by 2030.

As the day went on, other topics have been chosen as an interest. Particularly from the Plenary and the LGA-organized session. Aside from the initiative to incorporate GEDSI into DRR measures in localities, there have also been some noted recommendations to strengthen local capacity. These are as follows:

1. Emphasis on the Need for Data Collection and Analysis - an initiative to invest in disaggregated data collection to understand the specific vulnerabilities of different populations across regions;

2. Measures to Properly Manage Scarce Financial Resources - to develop a local DRR finance plan to secure funding for preparedness and mitigation activities by exploring partnerships with the private sector and civil society organizations in mitigating the impact and increasing the resilience of local communities;

3. Focus on Effective Policy and Planning - advocate for national policies that support local DRR efforts and provide clear guidance on cascading policies and programs to the local level; and

4. Enhancing Scarce Resources and Participation - enhance the skills and knowledge of LGU personnel in risk assessment and data management, disaster preparedness planning and implementation, and develop community engagement strategies.

The role of the private sector has also been considered, as Ayala Group of Companies CEO and Chairman, Mr. Jaime Augusto Ayala de Zobel, has encouraged all businesses in the Philippines to be accountable in the delivery of their goods and services towards a more sustainable business practice and develop measures that incorporate DRR mitigation strategies through proper education and training for board members. As public-private partnerships are becoming increasingly relevant in the discussions to fully maximize the opportunities for collaboration to make our communities more resilient, working closely with the national government to ensure alignment and support for local DRR initiatives is secured. But, having the private sector involved in DRR also helps in terms of financing and innovation. Because the government has scarce resources, aiding these with effective and functional policies with data-driven and evidence-based justifications encourages investment into DRR measures. It also helps to actively involve communities in all aspects of DRR, from planning and decision-making to implementation and monitoring if involved in their risk assessments and corporate strategies for social responsibility.

Meanwhile, there have been questions raised about public procurement guidelines, why not have DRR measures to incorporate socially responsible procurement guidelines for PPP? So that the government would hold the companies accountable so that they can really push them to incorporate measures for DRR. 

In summary, three things can be brought home: first, invest in local communities to build stronger partnerships; second, regularly assess local resilience to identify areas for improvement by considering the most vulnerable in disaster preparedness plans; and lastly, learn from best practices in other regions, countries, and sectors to adapt and implement successful strategies. Data is a big deal, it is the “big oil” of this century. Showcasing solutions in the market, especially using EWS, significantly benefits the private sector in navigating the market and maximizing profit for every company.

As far as reflections go, if we want to do that, we need to do it immediately because historical data can help to connect the pattern. Share the data. Of course, you can prepare the data when a disaster occurs but it is integral. 

By implementing these recommendations, LGUs in the Philippines can strengthen their capacity to reduce disaster risk and build more resilient communities.

[Access Notes in Gdrive: https://shorturl.at/qwz74] :)

As far as personal reflections go, I am left a bit unsatisfied and wanting more. Perhaps it was due to my lack of diverse choices for topics in the sessions that I have gone to throughout the week, but there is this feeling of “I want to learn more about other stuff”. In my admission, the information that I have absorbed throughout has been homogenized into a playdough-like form or maybe it was just the nature or intent of the structure of the conference itself. I had chosen to pick predominantly the topics leaning towards financing disaster risk reduction because that has been one of the focal challenges that most societies face. However, as I attended those partner events, I was disappointed to find out that the panelists were not as diverse as I thought they would be - the majority of them representing insurance companies. It is still relevant because the discussion revolved around parametric insurance for those greatly affected by disasters and how to streamline the processes for payouts. But because they invited three (3) representatives out of four from the same sector, the subject of their presentations, regardless of actually answering the question assigned to them, just said the same thing. The topic wasn’t even about insurance, the topic was about “inclusivity”. Another nitpick would be that most of their finance-related partner events almost say the same thing, as well. They made the same points, hit the same marks, and left minimal new eye-opening, note-worthy information. So, really, it was just grandstanding and echo chambers as the audience applauded for the most baseline-level remark that they said. 

Anyways, that’s enough of ranting. Written below are my key takeaways, highlights, and recommendations.

Firstly, in the plenary session with the new Secretary of Interior and Local Governance, local communities, with their in-depth knowledge of their territories, are crucial in building resilient infrastructure and reducing disaster risks. Emphasizing community-driven resilience and knowledge sharing for disaster preparedness. A push for governments, international organizations, and the private sector to provide financial resources to support local resilience initiatives. However, this may only be possible through utilizing evidence-based, data and technology to enhance disaster risk assessment and inform effective response strategies. It was also said by the CEO of SM Prime Holdings, Mr. Hans Sy, that collaboration between public and private sectors can leverage resources and expertise for more effective disaster risk reduction, especially through incorporating DRR parameters in business models, corporate continuity plans, and the like. And lastly, to have inclusive resilience, all stakeholders must ensure that all segments of society, including marginalized groups and people with disabilities, are included in resilience planning and implementation.

For the second session on Increased Access to Finance for People-Centered and Inclusive Local Resilience, one of the key points was the pertinent financial barriers including the lack of access to finance, especially in rural areas, which hinders local resilience efforts. Community-based financial solutions like initiatives forwarded by WARA Savings Group in the Solomon Islands demonstrate the effectiveness of community-led financial mechanisms. There was also an emphasis on governments needing to establish clear policies and frameworks to support local access to finance for disaster risk reduction. A distinguished panelist from Greeneighbour Indonesia, Stephanie Dinda, really strikes the unique perspective for youth engagement - empowering the youth and marginalized communities through innovative approaches like crowdfunding can foster resilience and sustainability development.

In the third session that I attended for the conference, with the Secretary for Budget and Management, Sec. Aminah Pangandaman discussed the prioritization of prevention. Reiterating that investing in disaster prevention can reduce long-term costs and losses. Governments need to allocate resources strategically, considering the most effective ways to mitigate risks and build resilience. 

A few notes and recommendations:

1. Highlight the importance of prioritizing local communities in resilience planning and implementation for a community-centered approach;

2. Governments, international organizations, and the private sector should provide adequate contributions, financial resources or otherwise, to support local resilience initiatives;

3. Utilize data and technology to inform effective disaster risk assessment and response;

4. Foster collaborations between public and private sectors to leverage resources and expertise, an enhanced Public-Private Partnership for DRR, or having DRR measures (mandatorily) incorporated into all PPP projects;

5. Ensure that all segments of society are included in resilience planning and implementation;

6. Develop clear policies and frameworks to support local access to finance and effective resource allocation; and

7. Allocate budget resources strategically, prioritizing prevention and considering long-term costs.

By implementing these recommendations, governments, communities, and organizations can work together to build a more resilient and sustainable Asia-Pacific region.

[Access notes to GDrive: https://shorturl.at/qwz74]

Insights and recommendations

1. The plenary session featured a transwoman from Pakistan and her presence alone felt enough of a statement given the theme. I found this inspiring because throughout the conference I felt that the crown was too homogenous -- middle-aged white-collared professionals in business attires -- which didn't register to me as a "community" of practitioners just quite.

2. The ethics of using Artificial Intelligence and how it can be reconciled with the ethos of building resilience is still a grey area. The servers required to run machine learning and AI are resource-intensive, if not harmful: they require plots of land, use high amounts of energy, and the supply chain from mining minerals used for chips down to dumping of electronic wastes in developing countries. When asked during the panel, speakers were silent and offered platitudes on its responsible use.

3. "Don't hit-and-run", said one of the speakers during the capacity development panel. In a way, I wonder if our work on LGA is quite like that, though uninentional. We say "follow-through" and M&E is important, and in many ways, we strive to do that. Hearing that framing stung, but maybe it should to alarm those in the sector.

4. Had a photo opportunity (and some networking) with SIDA's International Training Program (ITP) alumni across several batches.

1. I thought it was great that ED Thelma and AD Daphne stayed at the booth for quite some time -- it was easier to link them with old colleagues and prospective partners. Introduced them to Edwin Salonga, someone I know from Ateneo before, and then OCD, and then ADPC. Looking forward to what fruits this may bear!

2. Helped with Usec. Iringan's presentation :-) Witnessing it come to life in a global platform and in front of a global audience felt surreal.

3. Ma'am Joy and I thought that throughout the conference, the same buzzwords, concepts, and key messaging were used years ago, and therefore, felt a bit repetitive, overdone, exhausted, and just a bit hopeless. This was just a lingering thought. Everyone felt celebratory though, triumphant, even relieved that it's over. Proud of everyone who helped in making this event successful!

Leveraging Development Finance for Greater Action on Climate Disaster Displacement

Aside from the triggers of why people are being displaced or relocated to another territory such as loss of livelihood, territory, sudden-onset of disasters, and food and water insecurity, I am also intrigued by some of the stories being shared online about some capitalists which are displayed as "philanthropists" contribute to the displacement of people despite the underlying reasons why they opt to move to another place to live.

In summary, here are the key actions to be taken:

1. Multilateral Development Banks need to scale up their support for targeted investments in DRR CCA; resilient infrastructures; and sustainable livelihoods.

2. Forge partnerships with different government and non-governmental organizations to have a whole-of-nation approach in order to reduce the climate disaster displacement.

3. Initiate consultations at the grassroots level in order to navigate better the underlying reasons in displacement of the people knowing their local context in addressing disaster displacement.

4. Conduct capacity-building interventions for vulnerable groups

5. Produce knowledge products and technical guides for mobility, cultural heritage, and loss of biodiversity.

Inclusive Approach to Loss and Damage Agenda

1. Involve women leadership in climate finance; conduct gender assessment

2. Approve transparency in finance including women and children.

3. (Children); Initiate collective actions that would make your school safe in the advancement of DRR initiatives in your respective schools.

** When the national government collects data on the ground, they should also present it back to the community so there will be actions to be taken in response to the pressing situations on the ground.

- Key messages that stuck to me during this plenary was that vulnerability is not distributed equally. When the conversation shifted to the scenarios that IPs it opened another view of social inclusion for me that is commonly overlooked when hyperfocused into the technical areas of DRR.

Data Driven Humanitarian Response - Learning Lab

• Mapakalamidad is an open source and real-time DRR information map. Altho similar but not as developed as DOST-PAGASA's hazard map its approach to community-driven data gathering may provide a new perspective in the use and dissemination of data during disaster response.

• This learning lab provided an innovative M&E tool that can be utilized in rapid assessment. Other than advocating the use of the Washington Group Set of Questions for usual data gathering they presented HD-NEST which is designed for quick administration without sacrificing key information for those with disability.

• The learning lab's use of a yellow ribbon for those who do not consent to their pictures being used in public material is an interesting way in providing consent.

Empowering Youth for Resilience through DRR Education Korean School Safet Programme - Learning Lab

• They showed promise on the effectiveness of gamification of DRR ideas which may be applicable to our DRR focused Wemborees.

• Reinforcement of the concept that layers of information and platforming is one of the first barriers to data sharing and localization which leads to the problem of policy translating into implementation

• An inspirational goal or surge for 2030 shared by some of the panelists is the harmonization of different fundamental global goals.

Increased Access to Finance for People-centered and Inclusive Local Resilience

• out of the multiple financing focused panels in the DRR this may be the only one that included the importance of youth action in DRR related actions.

Ang Kwento ng Pag-Asa at Pagbabago ng Mgataga Laiban (Lower Sierra Madre Wildlife Center Project)

• This activity provided a platform for the on the ground implementors of the DENR + Miriam college led project to share their experiences. To ensure that the presenters would be able to share their story without problem the organizers provided the speeches ahead of time while allowing the resource persons to speak in their local languages.

APMCDRR reflections

• Inclusivity and Accessibility

  • The way on how APMCDRR was so accessible and inclusive was so inspiring that I hope this can be the norm not only in high-profile activities.

• Social Aspects of DRR

  • It was great to see a lot of the content focused on disability and inclusivity but some concepts that were missing or even brushed aside was psychosocial disabilities.

  • The identification and consideration of IPs and their situations opened up another lens for me when identifying risks.

• Confidence in the LGU/Goverment as a whole

  • A vibe i found in most of the learning labs / comments of other delegates was the need for CSO/Private Organizations to rise up due to the incompetence or lack of action of the government.

  • Witnessing such public distrust in government's capabilities in multiple yet connected instances was a reminder of the current temperature of the public.

• Learning Lab: Slideco and Mentimeter

  • One of my goals heading into the event was the participation into multiple learning labs to see how different organizations implemented interactive learning. To my disappointment it was done by achieving the bare minimum of implementing slideco. or Mentimeter. This resulted into learning labs being no different to the plenaries or lectures and even provided a screen

• Consumer Friendly DRR

  • Despite efforts of gamification I believe that DRR should provide a way to make some of the technical concepts more consumer friendly. With such a large focus on localization and implementation at the grass roots such technical concepts must be dissolved to ideas that the common public can make use of.

  • This also applies to the technical training we provide, with the amount of jargon that the DRR field has produced it is difficult for an audience to retain attention when it comes to the nitygritty that no amount of gamification and interactive learning can recover

• Panel or successive speeches

  • Similar to my disappointment with the learning labs some of the panel, due to multiple factors such as time constraints, ended up just becoming speeches from the invited resource persons. This would have been an opportunity to see brilliant minds in action debating on crucial concepts but ended up becoming some sort of echo chamber.

• Translation into Action

  • Connected to my last point something I barely saw in some of the plenary is the transition to practical solutions. There were so many speeches that revolved around buzz words that intended to stir confidence in the audience however, maybe due to the lack of an opportunity for panels to debate, it kept on ending for "calls to action"

  • This is not to remove credit to the pavilion sessions and displays provided the hard work and results that were already achieved.

I attended several sessions on this day which focused on inclusive action on DRR including women, children, youth, and differently-abled persons, and enhancing the capacities for local resilience.

Leaving No One Behind

It is important that we have an inclusive strategy on how to mainstream our drr-cca efforts regardless of gender, capacity, and age. Thus, we should consider checking the contributions to the preparedness and response of women, children, youth, and differently-abled persons. In our bid to reduce the loss of lives and livelihoods, we need to have a comprehensive approach to deal with it. Everyone should be involved in raising awareness of the gender gap, building a sense of community, and an inclusive approach to disaster management systems, and technological advancement.

Specifically, we need to have the following interventions, especially in the vulnerable groups:

1. Create a timely and responsive social protection systems

2. Provide livelihood programs; cash transfer in case of drought, typhoon, flood, among others.

3. Pass the Imminent Disaster Bill linking the Anticipatory Action and Impact-Based Forecasting with the existing social protection programs

4. Create interventions with a whole-of-society approach

Enhancing Capacity for Local Resilience

• Capacitate the local government units on how to interpret meteorological data in local resilience efforts; Provide uniform and consistent interventions in building resilience (dont hit and run)

• Conduct awareness raising to youth, kids, and those who have special needs about disaster preparedness and response. [Use gamification to boost everyone's participation, especially in the youth and children] Refer to School Safety Programme of Korea-- a good tool to teach children and youth regarding the definition and types of natural hazards and their impacts.

• Create a school for farmers, and fishers, among other field to know the impacts of disasters and how to reduce the impacts of the same.

• Share data from upstreams to downstreams

In attending this session on the last day, I wondered about other countries' unique efforts in preparing and responding to the impacts of natural hazards. With all the sessions I attended, here are some of the similarities that other countries are doing such as:

• Whole-of-government structure (National to Local DRRM structures) [e.g., NDRRMC to LDRMMC in the Philippines

• Government to invest more in government infrastructure

• Communication products should be eye-catching to the public to boost interest.

• Mainstream DRR concepts and initiatives for schools and communities. Working with schools in disseminating information or raising awareness regarding the different hazards is valuable.

• EWS for typhoon, landslide, and flood

• 
  

[ ] October 14 - meeting of local government officials showcased DRR practices of LGUs. I thought the practices shared were almost similar, citing planning and fund allocation for DRR.

[ ] October 15 - I attended the discussions on practical financing on DRR, development finance, and harnessing copernicus data. These sessions highlight the available opportunities for communities not only to prepare for and respond to disasters but also to use DRR investments as precursor to development. Sophisticated information from Copernicus data has the potential to inform prevention and mitigation strategies from disaster and climate change impact to human settlements and biodiversity. Investing in this technology, including is capacity-building component, will enrich knowledge base for data-driven decisions of governments.

[ ] October 16 - Today I attended sessions on gender financing, risk communication, open science and AI for DRR. My takeaway from all of these session is that information can be leveraged to ensure inclusion in DRR

[ ] October 17 - Today, I attended the local governance and urban resilience, fail forward cafe, transforming local governance landscape, and a ignite session on rethinking flood control projects. My takeaway is that local governments play a crucial role in reshaping the way communities take on disaster risks by learning from mistakes and building smarter, evidence-based, multi-use policies and projec cts