ARISE Philippines convened its Annual General Membership (AGM) Meeting on 26 March 2026 at the Henry Sy Sr. Auditorium, SM Prime Inc. Headquarters, under the theme “Accelerating Resilience by 2030: Innovate, Integrate, Impact for a Resilient and Sustainable Future.” Over 190 network members, stakeholders, partners, and guests united to review 2025 accomplishments, chart 2026 priorities, and launch transformative digital platforms, reinforcing public-private commitments to disaster risk reduction.
The AGM featured interactive engagement consultations that yielded actionable commitments from five working groups, reflecting the new UNDRR Catalytic Areas for 2026-2030. This session was conducted alongside presentations on ARISE Global updates and the 2026 Operational Plan. A highlight was the launch of the SkillsBuild Program—in partnership with IBM Philippines through Asia Pacific College—and the new ARISE Philippines website, marked by a ceremonial "Pressing of the Button" with ARISE PH Board Directors, NDRRMC member agencies, and IBM Philippines representatives.
ARISE Philippines Chairperson and SM Prime Holdings Inc. Chairman of the Executive Committee, Mr. Hans T. Sy, delivered welcome remarks emphasizing strategic vision:
“The vision of ARISE Philippines remains firm: a private sector that is not reactive, but anticipatory; not fragmented, but unified; not temporary in engagement, but sustained in action. More than ever, the Philippines needs a private sector that leads—with foresight, responsibility, and solidarity.”
In his message, Mr. Sy also emphasized the importance of preparedness with anticipatory actions during this global uncertainty:
“The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is a clear reminder that events beyond our borders… Resilience today is no longer just about recovery—it is about anticipation. It is about building systems that are agile, responsive, and prepared for a rapidly changing world.”
Undersecretary Harold N. Cabreros, Civil Defense Administrator of the Office of Civil Defense and Executive Director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, provided an inspirational message, highlighting the vital role of ARISE Philippines as a consistent partner in resilience building:
“Arise Philippines plays a vital role in helping drive private sector innovation and encouraging the adoption of resilience-building practices and efforts across industries. We must ramp up this effort, serving as a platform where partnerships are continually built and collaborative action is made possible. Because through this, we can build systems that are stronger, more responsive, and sustainable.”
UNDRR Regional Chief for Asia and the Pacific, Mr. Marco Toscano-Rivalta, delivered via teleconferencing the keynote, expressing his gratitude towards the Philippines’ DRR Network for becoming a strong trailblazer in the DRR community globally:
“The Philippines is really a special place for innovations about disaster risk reduction and partnership across the public and private sectors. I wish it could be exported more and maybe more visible to other countries in the region, not to transplant a national system into another national system, but to really show the benefit of such a model of partnerships that can yield very concrete results, and then other countries can take that as an inspiration.”
Key sessions included the ARISE Global Updates on the UNDRR Strategic Framework 2026-2030, which was presented by Board Member VADM Alexander P. Pama (Ret.), focusing on the paradigm shift in the UNDRR and ARISE way forward through the adoption of the 2026-2030 Strategic Framework for DRR, identifying the 4 catalytic areas of focus.
“In line with the UNDRR's transition to the 2026-2030 Strategic Framework, ARISE Philippines will undertake an operational paradigm shift to conform with the new framework and will pivot decisively from advocacy to action, where accountability carries profound weight, governance is fortified, and private sector leadership unites with public partners in unbreakable collaboration. We will prioritize the implementation of advocacies and activities in line with the identified four catalytic areas of focus called for in the Strategic Framework 2026-2030.”
It was followed by the 2025 Accomplishment Report by ARISE PH Secretariat Lead Ms. Hannah Grace A. Escamilla, highlighting the exemplary contributions of the network members, from pioneering risk assessments and community training programs to forging strategic public-private partnerships.
The ARISE Philippines 2026 Operational Plan was outlined by Executive Director Dr. Joseph B. Bacareza, presenting a comprehensive roadmap with targeted initiatives such as expanded capacity-building workshops and deepened collaborations with national agencies to achieve measurable reductions in disaster vulnerabilities by 2030.
During the platform launch, Atty. Princess Ascalon and Ms. Abigail Lesaca of IBM Philippines provided a brief introduction on what to expect in the new SkillsBuild Program, which offers tailored modules on disaster risk management, AI-driven risk analytics, leadership in resilience, and sustainable business practices to empower members in innovating for impact.
A special message was given by Fire Chief Superintendent Wilberto Rico Neil Ang Kwan Tiu, Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), reflecting on the importance of Collaboration between the government and the private sector.
Engr. Liza B. Silerio, Co-Chairperson and SM Supermalls Vice President, closed with remarks on sustained momentum.
“Our theme, Accelerating Resilience by 2030, remains aligned with the UNDRR’s 4 catalytic areas… I encourage each of us to launch at least one transformative initiative in the year ahead—whether an innovation, a partnership, or a milestone that will move our network closer to our 2030 goals.”
The event underscored ARISE Philippines’ role in bridging public-private partnerships, aligning with the Sendai Framework goals and the new UNDRR Strategic Framework.
About ARISE Philippines
ARISE Philippines is the national chapter of the ARISE Global network, a UNDRR-partnered private sector alliance advancing business resilience and disaster risk reduction. For more, visit the newly launched www.arise.ph.
