In a significant move towards enhancing resilience and strengthening collaboration between the public and private sectors, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) on October 25, 2024, at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati.
Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, OCD administrator, emphasized the critical role of public-private engagement in building the future resilience of the country against disasters. “This partnership is a milestone for building the future resilience of the country,” he stated. “Together, we will leverage our collective strengths to build a robust disaster management framework, ensuring we are better equipped to face the challenges posed by natural disasters. Our initiatives related to earthquake preparedness, for example, necessitate significant participation from the private sector, and I am confident that PDRF can play a pivotal role in this area.”
Executive Director of PDRF, Veronica Gabaldon, reinforced the idea that effective collaboration can lead to improved disaster risk management, ultimately saving lives and resources during crises.
Nepomuceno added, “With increasing climate risks and the unpredictability of disasters, it is more critical than ever to unite our resources, expertise, and innovative approaches. This partnership will facilitate knowledge sharing, enhance capacity, and foster sustainable solutions that prioritize the safety and well-being of our citizens. We reaffirm our commitment to strengthening partnerships with the private sector. The Office of Civil Defense will continue to foster close cooperation with private entities as part of our whole-of-nation approach to DRRM, aligning with the guidance articulated by our NDRRMC Chair and Defense Secretary, Gilberto Teodoro Jr.”
PDRF President Rene Meily echoed this sentiment, underscoring the importance of strengthening partnerships between the government and private sector. “What we are doing today is signing an agreement… it is an actual commitment by the companies that compose PDRF to be with you during your time of need,” he stated.
Executive Director of PDRF, Veronica Gabaldon, reinforced the idea that effective collaboration can lead to improved disaster risk management, ultimately saving lives and resources during crises. “By fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors… these partnerships can hopefully lead to more effective disaster risk management,” she explained.
Following the MOU signing, the Cooperation for Resilience Through Public-Private Partnerships (CORE-3Ps) project was launched. This initiative aims to enhance the capacity of the OCD by developing and testing a comprehensive private-sector engagement framework. PDRF Chief Resilience Officer, Guillermo Luz, emphasized the importance of a holistic approach to building resilience. “We need to look at a wider range of solutions, from hard engineering to nature-based solutions,” he noted.
Rebekah Eubanks, Acting Mission Director of USAID Philippines, reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to supporting the Philippines’ response efforts. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to support the Philippine response efforts and commend the Office of Civil Defense team for their tireless service,” she stated. Eubanks highlighted the potential of the CORE-3Ps project to unlock sustainable and effective disaster response through institutionalized collaboration.
In closing, OCD Director Caesar Agnir Jr. reassured participants of the OCD’s full commitment to this initiative. “We will dedicate our efforts to ensure that this partnership thrives and translates into tangible benefits for our communities,” he affirmed, emphasizing the importance of effective communication, training programs, and resource sharing to foster a culture of preparedness at every societal level.
