ARISE Philippines launched its International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) 2026–2027 activities through a virtual Thunderclap event on October 13, with its members and partners as part of IDDRR observance in the country.
Anchored on the theme “Resilience Starts at Home,” the event introduced a series of initiatives that aim to promote household preparedness, highlight public-private partnerships, and provide a platform for stakeholders to share their contributions to disaster risk reduction and community resilience.
Providing context for the observance, Executive Director Dr. Joseph Bacareza discussed the significance of IDDRR and revisited the network’s activities during the previous year’s celebration. He reaffirmed ARISE Philippines’ commitment to disaster risk reduction through private sector engagement and collaboration with government, academe, and other stakeholders.
The highlight of the launch was the introduction of three activities that will comprise ARISE Philippines’ IDDRR 2026–2027 observance: the Forum on Super El Niño, “Resilience Starts at Home: Building Safer Homes, Prepared Families, and Resilient Communities”; the Resilience Video Contest, “Public-Private Partnerships for Resilient Communities”; and the Static Display, “Partnerships for Risk-Informed and Resilient Communities.”
The launch featured the introduction of the learning forum on Super El Niño, “Resilience Starts at Home: Building Safer Homes, Prepared Families, and Resilient Communities,” scheduled for November 26, 2026. Serving as a sequel to the previous Forum on El Niño and Habagat preparedness, the event will connect climate science, national preparedness guidance, local government action, and practical household-level measures. Discussions will cover climate outlooks and the risks brought by the Super El Niño, coordinated preparedness and emergency response, translating forecasts into local action, and strengthening family emergency plans. A teaser video from DOST-PAGASA on Super El Niño was also presented during the launch.
ARISE Philippines also introduced the Resilience Video Contest,“Public-Private Partnerships for Resilient Communities”; which aims to showcase actual public-private partnerships between local government units and private-sector organizations that address disaster risks and strengthen community resilience. Participating teams are invited to share stories demonstrating how collaboration translates into practical initiatives and meaningful community impact. Submissions will close on November 9, 2026, with the first, second, and third placers, as well as the recipient of the Most Liked and Shared Video award, to be recognized during the November 26 IDDRR highlight event.
Another key initiative is the IDDRR Static Display, which will take place alongside the November 26 forum. It will provide an opportunity for ARISE Philippines members and partners, government agencies, local government units, private-sector organizations, civil society groups, and other stakeholders to present their programs, initiatives, tools, services, innovations, and partnerships that contribute to disaster risk reduction and community resilience.
In his opening remarks, ARISE Philippines Chairperson VADM Alexander Pama (Ret.) emphasized that although resilience starts at home, achieving it requires collective action and sustained commitment. He underscored that resilience must go beyond being a slogan and translate into concrete preparedness measures that protect families, communities, and livelihoods.
Meanwhile, in the closing the event, ARISE Philippines Vice Chairperson Engr. Liza Silerio encouraged participants to reflect on how prepared their homes, families, and communities are for disasters. She challenged stakeholders to move beyond awareness and commit to sustained preparedness and resilience-building efforts.
Through these initiatives, ARISE Philippines seeks to translate the message of “Resilience Starts at Home” into meaningful action by strengthening partnerships and encouraging shared responsibility for disaster risk reduction. The network invites government institutions, businesses, academic communities, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to participate in the upcoming activities and contribute to building a more disaster-resilient Philippines.
Further announcements, participation guidelines, and registration details will be disseminated through ARISE Philippines’ official communication channels.
