Pasay, Philippines – 01 July 2026 – Leading the private sector’s engagement in national preparedness, ARISE Philippines with support from SM Prime, co-organized the 2026 National Disaster Resilience Month (NDRM) Kick-Off Ceremony with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) through the Office of Civil Defense (OCD). Held at the Music Hall, SM Mall of Asia, 2026, the observance carries the theme, “NAGHAHANDA at KUMIKILOS tungo sa PANATAG na BAGONG PILIPINAS.”
The program formally opened with the NDRM message from OCD Administrator Undersecretary Harold Cabreros, delivered on his behalf by Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, who emphasized collective responsibility for building a safer and more resilient Philippines:
“The message of resilience is not new, but its importance grows even more urgent as we continue to face hazards, climate-related threats, and other emerging risks. Building resilience requires sustained commitment and meaningful collaboration among all sectors of society.”
More than 500 participants attended the ceremony, including representatives from NDRRMC member agencies, local government units, ARISE Philippines network members and partners, civil society organizations, and international organizations, demonstrating strong multi-stakeholder support for NDRM.
The event was streamed live through the jointly managed social media channels of Civil Defense PH and ARISE Philippines on Facebook and YouTube, generating a total of approximately 29,500 views.
Static displays were mounted at the venue featuring response equipment, tools, and disaster risk reduction (DRR) initiatives from OCD, ARISE Philippines and its network member, Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), offering participants a concrete view of DRRM capabilities.
In line with this year’s observance, OCD presented key flagship activities for NDRM 2026, including the OCD Kapihan, Resilience Walk, Rescuelympics, and the expansion of the “Panatag Pilipinas” campaign to embed preparedness and resilience in everyday life. Complementing these were private sector-led NDRM initiatives championed by ARISE Philippines and its partners, such as Incident Command System (ICS), the National CPR Day observance promoting hands-only CPR with the Department of Health, a technical forum on El Niño and Habagat, and a resilience webinar spotlighting the role of the private sector in risk-informed development.
Messages of support from SM Prime were represented by Engr. Liza B. Silerio, Vice President of SM Supermalls and Co-Chairperson of ARISE Philippines, and the National Resilience Council (NRC), represented by their Executive Director Silvestre Barrameda Jr., reinforced the importance of sustained investment, risk governance, and innovation in resilience, and recognized ARISE Philippines as a key platform for engaging businesses in DRR. Their statements emphasized that resilience is not only a humanitarian imperative but also a strategic priority for sustainable economic growth.
“At SM Super Malls, we embrace this responsibility and through SM Prime Holdings and our active participation in ARISE Philippines, the UNDRR private sector alliance for disaster resilient Societies, we support efforts that strengthen disaster resilience and promote a culture of preparedness across the communities we serve,” expressed Engr. Silerio.
“The National Research Council reiterates its support and commitment to promoting knowledge building, innovation, and coordinated efforts in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, as well as ensuring community resilience at all levels consistent with the national resilience agenda”, committed Mr. Barrameda.
The keynote message of NDRRMC Chairperson and Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. was delivered by Department of National Defense Senior Undersecretary of National Defense, Usec. Ireneo C. Espino, who called for continuous, coordinated action across government, private sector, and communities to achieve a “Panatag na Bagong Pilipinas”:
“As public servants in DRRM, we remain committed to improving our systems, our policies, and capabilities. We continue to learn from past experiences, adapt innovative solutions, and strengthen our partnership because the risks we face continue to evolve.”
This was followed by a Pledge of Commitment to National Disaster Resilience led by OCD Director Victor Tomas, with participants affirming their support for proactive, risk-informed, and inclusive resilience measures across all sectors. Excerpt of the pledge of commitment included:
“With integrity, solidarity, and determination, we pledge our hearts, our minds, and our actions toward building a disaster-resilient Philippines—where every community is empowered, every life is protected, and no one is left behind. This is our pledge. This is our commitment. Together, we build a safer, stronger, and more resilient nation.”
To close the event and further deepen public awareness, a press conference, “OCD Kapihan”, was held, with OCD, the NRC, and DSWD representatives responding to questions from the media on current DRR initiatives, NDRM activities, and the role of partnerships in scaling resilience nationwide.
Through this kick-off, ARISE Philippines and its partners helped set the tone for a month-long observance that transforms awareness into action and firmly positions the private sector as a committed partner in building a safer, more resilient Philippines.
