Semi-Annual Report 6: Project Komunidad at Negosyo Tungo sa Katatagan (KoNeK)

The project aims to develop a DRR Roadmap and clear terms of reference for both parties, leveraging on the interoperability approach. This public-private partnership will focus on building capacities of communities, including families, their livelihoods, and micro, small, and medium enterprises, to mitigate risks that hazards bring about, prepare for disasters, and protect common critical assets that nurture the community and make it thrive. The main intervention of this project is building the capacity of government agencies and private businesses to work together on reducing disaster risks and protecting common critical assets in the target communities. The overall goal is to strengthen public-private partnership on disaster risk reduction. PDRF recognizes that it takes the collective effort of the national and local government, small and large businesses, civil society organizations, communities down to the smallest unit of society, families who will share knowledge, expertise, technology, and resources to fully carry out the implementation of DRRM towards becoming a resilient country. The project targets two of the major financial, commercial, and economic hubs in the country, Makati City and Quezon City, wherein PDRF is a private sector representative and member of both its DRRM Councils. In line with RA 10121's intent to recognize and strengthen capacities of LGUs and communities in mitigating and preparing for, responding to, and recovering from the impact of disasters, the project aims to localize DRRM at the barangay level by engaging communities in the identification, analysis, and assessment of risks to come up with strategies and plans to reduce their vulnerabilities and enhance their capacities. The project has two main components: the first component provides technical assistance to barangays on developing or enhancing their contingency plans, hazard maps, and DRR plans and strategies. The second component aims to establish a Public Service Continuity Program for the City Governments of Makati City and Quezon City in order to enhance its capabilities in ensuring that critical services needed by the community are provided amidst disruptive events. For the reporting period ending September 2021, the project has achieved significant results. In terms of strengthening community resilience, 8 barangay DRRM plans, strategies, and policies have been developed, and 420 people have participated in discussions regarding national risk reduction strategies. In terms of capacity building and training, 200 people have been trained in disaster preparedness, mitigation, and management, and 150 people have passed final exams or received certificates. The project has also conducted various activities, including multi-stakeholder meetings, participatory three-dimensional mapping, contingency planning mentoring sessions, BDRRMP workshops, family preparedness sessions, business continuity planning sessions for MSMEs, earthquake preparedness seminars, and basic life support workshops. A total of 841 participants have been engaged in these activities. 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 training workshops for barangays in Quezon City. The project has also received modified award approval, including engagement with these implementing partners. Overall, the project has made significant progress in strengthening partnerships and capacities in DRRM to build resilient communities and businesses. The project aims to continue its efforts to build the capacity of key stakeholders, local government units, and critical lifeline service providers in Public Service Continuity and to establish a mechanism for coordination and collaboration towards effective and efficient incident management and recovery of critical services.