Semi-Annual Report 5: Building Resilient Communities and Businesses through Public-Private Partnerships in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management

The project aims to develop a Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Roadmap and clear terms of reference for both parties. The main intervention is building the capacity of government agencies and private businesses to work together on reducing disaster risks and protecting common critical assets in target communities. The project targets two major financial, commercial, and economic hubs in the country, Makati City and Quezon City, where PDRF is a private sector representative and member of both DRRM Councils. The overall goal is to strengthen partnerships and capacities in disaster risk reduction and management to build resilient communities and businesses. The project recognizes that it takes the collective effort of the national and local government, small and large businesses, civil society organizations, and communities to fully carry out the implementation of DRRM towards becoming a resilient country. The project has two main objectives: (1) Strengthening Community Resilience through the development of Barangay DRRM plans, strategies, and policies, and (2) Establishing Continuity of Operations for local government units through Public Service Continuity. The project aims to localize DRRM at the barangay level by engaging various stakeholders in the assessment of local capacities to determine gaps and how to address them to better respond to needs of the communities. For the reporting period ending March 2021, the project has achieved significant results. The number of people as direct beneficiaries has increased to 1,323, and the number of people as indirect beneficiaries has reached 3,541,016. The project has also developed 8 hazard risk reduction plans, strategies, policies, disaster preparedness, and contingency plans in place. Additionally, 420 people have participated in discussions regarding national risk reduction strategies as a result of the program. The project has also engaged two implementing partners, the Philippine Geographical Society (PGS) and the Center for Disaster Preparedness (CDP), to conduct baseline studies, mapathon sessions, and basic GIS training for community-based DRRM. The PGS has also developed modules for evacuation camp management and BDDRMP training of trainers for QC DRRMO. The CDP has conducted four sessions of 3-day evacuation camp management training-workshops for four partner barangays and conducted BDRRMP ToT for QC DRRMO. The project has also established a Public Service Continuity Program for the City Governments of Makati City and Quezon City to enhance its capabilities in ensuring that critical services needed by the community are provided amidst disruptive events. The project targets to build the capacity of key stakeholders, local government units, and critical lifeline service providers in Public Service Continuity and establish a mechanism for coordination and collaboration towards effective and efficient incident management and recovery of critical services. The project has made significant progress in achieving its objectives, and the results demonstrate the effectiveness of the project in building resilient communities and businesses. The project continues to work towards its goal of becoming a resilient country through the collective effort of the national and local government, small and large businesses, civil society organizations, and communities.