The Makati City local government launched on Thursday, Oct. 13, its Family and Community Resilience Fair in celebration of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) which aims to boost public awareness on disaster preparedness and for local government units (LGUs) around the world to improve their disaster resilience and response initiatives.
The fair was held at the Makati City Hall Quadrangle where the city government presented its disaster response equipment and techniques. It also assured the public that the city is prepared to respond to any natural calamity. The fair also consisted of an Early Warning System (EWS) Showcase and the Palarong Panghanda.
The EWS Showcase demonstrated the end-to-end, impact-based Early Warning System in coordination with national government agencies to city and barangay responders to the community.
Meanwhile, the Palarong Panghanda featured booths where games were held aimed at raising awareness and build capacity through experiential fun-filled activities.
Being a leader and prime example of disaster preparedness and resilience in the country, the Makati City local government spearheaded various disaster response and preparedness programs and initiatives that were recognized by numerous international disaster resilience and response groups and organizations.
After being proclaimed as the country’s first Resilience Hub by the United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) during its International Disaster Resilience Leaders Forum in Incheon, South Korea, Makati Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (DRRMO) Research and Planning Division Head Liza Ramos disclosed the city’s disaster response and management programs, including the plan to build the DRR academy.
“We are committed to sharing our disaster risk reduction practices within the Philippines, the region, and beyond. We will do this through our knowledge portals, city-to-city cooperation. We are also opening a DRR academy to support capacity-building,” Ramos said.
She did not give the date for the opening of the facility.
Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General for Disaster Risk Reduction Mami Mizutori also praised the city government for its DRR methods and Covid-19 response.
“The city has been a longstanding leader on disaster risk reduction and has continued to demonstrate this leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. Makati’s success will be a great example for other cities,” Mizutori said.
The UNDRR defines resilience hubs as cities, municipalities, or local authorities that have political and technical commitment to take actions to address disaster and climate risks.
According to the United Nations (UN), the IDDRR was first established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989 in order to promote a culture of disaster reduction while also increasing awareness about various risks from disasters.
In 2002, the global body then passed a new resolution that established the marking of the day every year. The United Nations constituted various World Conferences on Disaster Risk Reduction as part of this effort of disaster risk reduction.
The day is also intended to raise awareness about and acknowledge the progress that the world is making in preventing the loss of lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure during various disasters, which include natural disasters that are beginning to occur more frequently and intensely due to the changes in global climate as well as other disasters.