The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Thursday, July 18, urged the nationwide adoption of “anticipatory action” for disaster preparedness, as it highlighted its significant role in enhancing the country’s resilience against natural disasters.
DSWD Undersecretary for Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) Diana Rose Cajipe explained that legislative frameworks, such as the Philippine Climate Change Act of 2009 and the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 have paved the way for a strategic shift towards anticipatory approaches like Anticipatory Action (AA).
“By preemptively deploying resources ahead of forecast shocks, AA not only protects lives and livelihoods but also mitigates the need for extensive humanitarian aid in the aftermath of disasters,” Cajipe said in her keynote message at the National Anticipatory Action Learning Summit and Culminating Activity.
During the event organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (UN-FAO), Cajipe pointed out that the pilot implementation of AA in selected areas across the country has significantly helped communities in mitigating the impacts of climate change.
One example cited by the DSWD official was the activation of drought AA in Echague, Isabela, which involved targeted multi-purpose cash assistance and conditional cash transfers specifically for farmers.
“These interventions have not only safeguarded livelihoods but have also reinforced the resilience of our communities against climate-induced challenges,” Cajipe said.
The DSWD and UN-FAO have collaborated to implement AA as a proactive strategy supporting vulnerable populations ahead of disasters.
The summit aimed to enhance AA capacities under the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations Pilot Programmatic Partnership (ECHO PPP), focusing on achievements, challenges, and lessons from the ECHO PPP program in the Philippines.
UN-FAO works with DSWD, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, and local government units in Cagayan Valley, Bicol, and Eastern Visayas.
Joint FAO-led and DSWD pilot AA programs are established in Isabela for drought AA, Surigao del Norte for flood AA in Caraga, and Cotabato for flood AA in Soccsksargen.