The National Resilience Council’s colloquium proves resilience thrives in collaboration
The National
Resilience Council (NRC) of the Philippines convened a diverse group of
stakeholders for the event “From
Surviving to Thriving: Transformative Strategies through Multi-Stakeholder
Partnerships and Innovations.” As a
science and technology-driven public-private partnership, the NRC unites
national and local governments, academia, civil society, and the private sector
to advance the interconnected objectives of the Sendai Framework for Disaster
Risk Reduction, Sustainable Development Goals, Paris Climate
Agreement, New Urban Agenda, and other global commitments.
Held as the 2025
Resilient Local Government Unit Program (RGLUP) Colloquium, the event showcased
progress and updates from participating cities and municipalities in the NRC’s
Adopt a City (AAC) Initiative. This initiative enables corporations to move
beyond disaster relief, investing in risk reduction through preparedness
funding, prevention, pre-disaster recovery planning, and long-term resilience
programs. By empowering local governments, AAC promotes collaborative efforts
to build safer, more resilient communities.
National Resilience Council (NRC) Co-Chairman
for the Private Sector Hans Sy, in his message of support, reiterates that
resilience is a continuous journey and is a collective responsibility to build
on progress, promote innovation, and ensure lasting impact.
The colloquium also
welcomed NRC’s private and public sector partners, with notable participation
from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of
National Defense, and the United Nations ARISE Private Sector Alliance for
Disaster Resilient Societies – Philippine network. The event opened with
inspiring messages from NRC Co-Chairman for the private sector and SM Prime
Holdings Chairman of the Executive Committee Hans Sy, NRC Vice Chairman for
civil service organizations and Zuellig Family Foundation President Austere
Panadero, and NRC Vice Chairman for the scientific organizations and academe
and Director of the Manila Observatory Fr. Jose Ramon Villarin, SJ.
National Resilience Council (NRC) Executive Director Silvestre Barrameda Jr., NRC Vice Chair for the academe Fr. Jose Ramon Villarin SJ, NRC Co-Chair Hans Sy, and NRC Vice Chair for civil service organizations Austere Panadero listen as participants of the Adopt-a-City Initiative present their progress towards disaster resilience.
Cities in the
AAC’s Prepare phase—Baguio, Iligan, Mandaue, and Tiwi, Albay—presented their
innovative disaster resilience strategies. Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong
emphasized, “Baguio’s resilience journey highlights the power of collaboration
and national support.” Meanwhile, cities in the Adapt and Transform phase, the
initiative’s next stages —Naga, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo, Bataan, Manila, and
Ormoc—highlighted their advanced strides. Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez
shared, “I am very proud to say that because of Project Transform, together
with our esteemed partners, Ormoc City is always on track in terms of
environmental stewardship and resilience.”
At the National Resilience Council (NRC) Colloquium, local government units in the Adopt-a-City Initiative deliver a public narrative and take part in a panel discussion with leading resilience experts.
Public officials take the opportunity to proudly expound on the programs developed together with the support of the National Resilience Council (NRC) and other partners.
A highlight of
the event was the launch of the Resilience Competency Assessment (CompAss), a
tool designed to strengthen local government capabilities in disaster
resilience. Drawing from the NRC’s mission, the colloquium underscored the
power of multi-stakeholder collaboration in driving transformative change. By
bridging sectors and promoting innovation, the NRC and its partners are paving
the way for a resilient Philippines.
The National Resilience Council (NRC) Board launches the Resilience Competency Assessment (CompAss) at the colloquium together with representatives of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of National Defense, the United Nations ARISE Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies - Philippine network, and the City Mayor of Baguio, Hon. Benjamin Magalong, and Mayor of the Municipality of Tiwi, Albay, Hon. Jaime Villanueva.
More than 150 members, partners, supporters and participants of the National Resilience Council (NRC)’s programs came together to celebrate the achievements of local government units in the realm of disaster risk resilience.
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