ARISE Philippines and its role 
in disaster risk reduction

ARISE Philippines is a local network of UNDRR ARISE (the Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies),established in 2015 and supported by hundreds of private sector organizations committed to creating resilient societies. By mobilizing the private sector and other stakeholders, it aims to achieve the Sendai Framework’s goals through the transparent, inclusive efforts that delivers measurable local impact and ensure that capital assets, investments, infrastructure are resilient to both natural and human-induced hazards.

Organized through the initiatives of SM Prime Holdings Inc. and with support from UNDRR, the network was launched in the Top Leaders Forum (TLF) 2015 in Pasay City, Philippines.

Mission and Alignment:

ARISE, led by UNDRR, implements the Sendai Framework and aligns with global agendas like SDGs, Paris Agreement, New Urban Agenda, and Agenda for Humanity.

Commitment to Resilience

ARISE engages private sector for disaster resilience aligned with global frameworks for sustainable development and climate action.

Mission

To create resilient societies by energizing the private sector in collaboration with the public sector and other stakeholders to achieve the outcome and goals of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction in a transparent and inclusive way that delivers local and measurable impact.

Vision

By 2030, ARISE Philippines will be an international standard for private sector collaboration on disaster risk reduction that contributes to the resiliency and sustainability of the country.

Our Commitments

In keeping with our mission of creating risk-resilient societies by energising the private sector in collaboration with the public sector and other stakeholders to achieve the outcome and goal of the Sendai Framework in a transparent and inclusive way that delivers local and measurable impact, ARISE-Philippines aspires to live up to its commitments in all of our undertakings:

  • Raise Awareness

While there are many organizations locally and internationally working at building disaster resilience in communities, there is still much work to be done. Many are still not fully convinced that disaster risk reduction and resilience are more critical than disaster response.

In some communities, the concept of disaster resilience is still a vague concept. Even in the private sector, there are groups who have yet to fully comprehend the need for long term disaster resilience interventions to protect their viability.

ARISE-Philippines is thus committed to raising awareness of disaster risks and effective disaster risk management practices so that more people and communities can become better able to bounce forward in the event of disasters.

  • Share Knowledge

Drawing from the expertise and experiences of our members, we have a wealth of knowledge and information that can be very useful for changing behaviour and driving better implementation of effective disaster risk management interventions.

At every opportunity to engage with community stakeholders, we share these knowledge and expertise so that more people and businesses can fine tune their approach and achieve better disasters risk reduction results.

ARISE-Philippines also draws from the rich data we are able to generate from our members to develop policy recommendations on disaster risk reduction and resilience. With data driven disaster management policies and programs, we can look forward to better results that benefits all of us.

  • Influence

Just by the mere number of private sector organizations in the country, we can outrightly say that the private sector is in a strong position to influence policy and action that can bring about better disaster risk governance.

While the government has come up with a number of great disaster management policies and programs, there is still much opportunities for improvement. And if the private sector can come together and push for better, more inclusive policies and programs, we can see more wins in terms of achieving our disaster risk reduction goals.

ARISE-Philippines is in constant dialogue with different groups both in the public and private sector, to surface innovation and best practices in disaster management, including sustainable and inclusive programs for disaster risk reduction. Through these conversations, we hope to share meaningful experiences and insights from our members and in the process, influence positive change in the way we, as a society, build disaster resilience.

  • Catalyze

Sometimes, even the best ideas and recommendations do not move forward because no one takes on the necessary next step to push them into becoming concrete policies and programs.

With the collective resources of the private sector, we can become powerful agents of change especially in the area of disaster risk reduction.

ARISE-Philippines is open to innovations and recommendations for better disaster risk management and is even willing to take the necessary next steps to make them into concrete programs and policies. We as an organization, is constantly challenge to spark improvements for better disaster resilience programming in our communities and in our businesses.

  • Implement

 

The private sector can be a powerful implementing force for disaster risk reduction polices and programs.

We are present in every town and city in the Philippines. And as employers, we can effectively recruit personnel to help turn plans into concrete actions.

Understandably, some have more resources than others. But this is precisely the point of working together - all of us sharing in the work, contributing whatever we can to achieve the goals, and together, reaping the benefits of a truly sustainable, inclusive and resilient Philippines.

ARISE-Philippines, as we continue to expand and grow, is committed to helping strengthen the disaster resilience of our communities by working with partners and collaborators to implement disaster risk reduction programs and policies.

Guiding Principles

How We Operate

ARISE-Philippines draws its strength from the commitment of each member to help achieve our disaster risk reduction goals. We are able to achieve our goals and live up to our commitments, through the individual efforts of our members as well as our collective undertakings.  All of our actions are grounded on our core principles that drive us towards achieving sustainability and resilience.

  • Build resilient socio-economic growth and development

Resilience and sustainability go hand in hand. Sustainable development can only be achieve if are are able to bounce forward better after every disaster.

  • Establish relationships between public and private sector

The government takes the lead in building disaster resilient communities with us from the private sector as active allies and collaborators. Together we co-create a resilient future for all of us.

  • Secure impact and a coherent approach to climate- and disaster resilient sustainable development at the national and local level, 
in particular for the most vulnerable and marginalized group

No one gets left behind. Our programs and policies are oriented towards inclusive sustainable development and disaster resilience for all.

  • Promote value propositions for DRR that produce tangible results for all

Key to our success is the appreciation of every stakeholder of the critical importance of disaster risk reduction and resilience.  Getting stakeholders to understand the risks and the impact of disasters and to recognize the need to reduce these risks are our natural starting points.

  • Be guided by common values, professionalism and UN principles, including respect for human rights and dignity, gender equality
and regional balance

We work better together because of our shared values. We draw strength from our diversity and we are united by our vision for a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future for all of us.

  • Follow good governance rules, notably maintaining integrity and independence of each partner, commitment to partnership obligations, transparency, accountability and sound financial management.

We aspire to sustain our partnerships by engaging collaborators and partners with respect and integrity. We nurture our relationships through our commitment to help in whatever way we can to bring about a truly resilient future for all.

History and Milestones (including launch at the 2015 Top Leaders Forum)

ARISE-Philippines was created out of a shared vision of private sector institutions for a disaster-resilient and climate-smart Philippines.

The Philippines faced the wrath of Tropical Storm Sendong (International name: Washi)  in December 2011. Sendong ravaged northern Mindanao and parts of the Visayas leaving thousands dead, and damaging investments and infrastructure amounting to billions of pesos.

As a response, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. took on the role of a lead advocate for disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM)  within the private sector in 2012. SM Prime organized the first annual meeting amongst top leaders in the private sector and public sector in the Philippines to address issues relative to DRRM through its Top Leaders’ Forum (TLF).

In the same year, Mr. Hans T. Sy, SM Prime President, was invited become a member 
of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR)  Private Sector Advisory Group (PSAG) by Ms. Margareta Wahlstrom who was then the UN Assistant Secretary General for Disaster Risk Reduction and head of the UNISDR.

In 2015, after the international community adopted the Sendai Framework, UNISDR now called the UNDRR (United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction) merged their various private sector initiatives, namely the Private Sector Advisory Group (PSAG), the Private Sector Partnership (PSP) and the R!SE Initiative, to create the Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies (ARISE).

The partnership between SM and UNDRR paved the path for the creation of ARISE -Philippines. ARISE-Philippines Local Network was formally organized during the 2015 Top Leaders’ Forum wherein over 60 business partners of SM Prime committed to be part of ARISE-Philippines and were officially recognized as members. SM Prime took on the role of national secretariat for ARISE-Philippines Network. The Top Leaders Forum (TLF) is an annual special activity of ARISE in coordination with UNDRR.

As the advocacy of disaster risk reduction and management in the Philippines continues to gain a strong foothold, other leading companies in the Philippines soon became part of ARISE-Philippines and membership continue to grow and recruitment of member companies is being intensified. To date, there are 190 members of ARISE-Philippines.