ARISE Philippines Strengthens Disaster Resilience Efforts in Annual General Meeting, Launches Knowledge Products and 2025 Strategic Programs
January 27, 2025 – ARISE Philippines successfully held its Annual General Members Meeting, bringing together its members and partners to review the network’s accomplishments and set the direction for the year ahead. The meeting was welcomed by the ARISE Co-Chairperson, Engr. Liza B. Silerio who highlighted the impact of working together in achieving the shared goals of building a resilient and sustainable future and charting a new path for 2025.
And I’m glad, actually, … that [what] we have to do [is] aligned with the advocacies of ARISE, especially with your urban resilience campaign, training and education, and disaster resilience strategies. Maybe there’s more, but there are these three [areas]… we are very well aligned with [what] we want to do in pursuit of our vision and with the things that ARISE has been advocating. –Usec. Ariel F. Nepomuceno
The event was graced by Civil Defense Administrator (CDA) Undersecretary Ariel F. Nepomuceno, who highlighted how ARISE Philippines’ initiatives align with national disaster resilience priorities.
A video message from Mr. Marco Toscano-Rivalta, Chief of the UNDRR Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP), further emphasized the vital role of private sector engagement in advancing the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. He underscored the importance of collaboration in achieving sustainable resilience.
Presentation of 2024 Accomplishments and 2025 Strategic Programs
A key highlight of the AGM was the presentation of ARISE Philippines’ 2024 milestones. These included the launch of seven new knowledge products and the introduction of seven strategic programs aimed at fostering disaster resilience across various sectors.
New Knowledge Products:
- Strategic Plan 2024-2026
- Board of Directors (BOD) Manual
- Terms of Reference (TOR)
- Membership Handbook
- Resilience and Sustainability Capacity Building for the Private Sector
- Knowledge Management System (KMS)
- Good Practices in Disaster Risk Reduction
2025 Strategic Programs:
- Capacity Building for Resilience and Sustainability
- Youth for Resilience
- Planting for Resilience: A Tree for Every Generation
- Twinning for Sustainability
- Building Resilience: Safe and Sustainable Communities
- Empowering Resilience and Sustainability: Uniting Efforts for Lasting Progress
- Knowledge Management System
Members were actively engaged in the planning process, selecting activities they wished to participate in by writing them on post-it notes which fostered ownership and collaboration in program implementation.
Global Perspectives and Closing Messages
The meeting also featured an ARISE Global progress report delivered by Vice Admiral Alexander Pama (ret.) providing insights into international disaster resilience initiatives and their alignment with global frameworks.
The event concluded with closing remarks from the Chairperson, Mr. Hans T. Sy, who emphasized the collective commitment of ARISE Philippines and its partners to drive forward sustainable and impactful disaster risk reduction initiatives in the country.
As we reflect on the insights and strategies shared today, let us remember that resilience is not a solitary pursuit. It is a shared responsibility, one that calls for unity, collaboration, and action. -Mr. Hans T. Sy