Primed for Disaster Preparedness and Resiliency

Situated in a country which has a relatively high vulnerability to numerous forms of disasters, IPDI partners know by heart that disaster resiliency and preparedness is a must for development.

To further equip them to be adaptable to the increasing hazards brought about by climate change, the Integrated Pastoral Development Initiative (IPDI), in partnership with the Swiss Catholic Lenten Fund (SCLF) and in coordination with the Marinduque Council for Environmental Concerns (MaCEC) conducted the Field School on Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaption for eight local project partners.

The said event was held in Boac Marinduque last May 16 – 20, 2011 and participated in by representatives from the Asian Social Institute (ASI), Kilos Unlad ng Mamayan ng Real (KUMARE), Vicariate of Valley-Ding, People’s Initiative and Network for Aklan (PINA), Kristianong Mangunguma Lubos Itib-ong ang Grupo (KMALIG), Center for Empowerment and Resource Development (CERD), Magsasaka at Siyentista Tungo sa Pag-unlad ng Agrikultura (MASIPAG), and the Diocese of Boac.

The Bishop of Boac Most Rev. Reynaldo Evangelista, D.D., Boac Mayor Roberto Madla, C.E., and Marinduque Provincial Board Member and Chairperson for the Committee of Environment Allan Nepomuceno, S.P. also participated as panelists and resource persons.

According to Sheryl Andes, IPDI Program Coordinator for Disaster Risk Reduction – Climate Change, (DRR-CC) is one of the priority programs of the organization, which is in partnership with SCLF.

“The objectives of this initiative is to increase our local partners’ technical know-how on processes in building disaster resilient communities; encourage the showcase of best practices & lessons learned from experience in mainstreaming DRR-CC in the barangay levels; promote the establishment of DRR-CC community of learning and links for strengthening cluster advocacies and to ensure long term commitment on DRR-CC mitigation and adaptation”, she added.

The 5-day activity highlighted the partners’ reflection of strategies towards mainstreaming DRR-CCA through their existing program components as well as their plans of action which was in-line with Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015, that includes Governance: organizational, legal and policy framework, Risk identification, assessment, monitoring and early warning Knowledge management and education Reducing underlying risk factors (Risk Management & Vulnerability reduction) Preparedness for effective response and recovery.

Myke Magalang, Executive Director of MaCEC and key speaker for the event, advised partners to invest on consciousness and awareness- raising of the people as this is crucial in mobilizing and sustaining efforts for DRR-CC in the barangay, municipal and provincial levels.