July 31, 2025
Manila, Philippines – July 31, 2025 — In a significant move toward building a disaster-resilient Philippines, the Arise Philippine network, under the Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies and the auspices of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), proudly launched its partnership with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) for the Panatag Pilipinas disaster risk communication campaign today. The event, held at the Music Hall in SM Mall of Asia, was organized by OCD and SM Supermalls, in partnership with the World Bank and the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR). This groundbreaking public-private collaboration aims to strengthen national disaster awareness and preparedness through targeted strategic communication and community-focused engagement.
The Panatag Pilipinas campaign was developed by the OCD, Department of Science and Technology (DOST)- Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), DOST – Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), and Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB) with support from the World Bank and GFDRR. The campaign leads the country’s renewed efforts to improve disaster risk communication. Panatag Pilipinas aims to increase Filipinos’ understanding of disaster and climate risks, positively influence perceptions about disaster risk reduction (DRR), and encourage appropriate preparedness and response actions.
“With Panatag Pilipinas, we aim to amplify this message and transform our countrymen from being passive recipients of information into active participants, promoting safety and resilience in their households and communities”, said Asec Bernardo Rafaelito R Alejandro, Officer-In-Charge of OCD, in his Keynote Message.
The launch event featured key partners, including SM Supermalls–a vital platform given its wide reach to millions of Filipinos daily, and an active Arise Philippines member. As a leading retail and community hub, SM Supermalls is poised to amplify Panatag Pilipinas campaign messages through its extensive network of locations nationwide and customer engagement channels.
“Preparedness and right information are critical building blocks of resilience. The Panatag Pilipinas campaign plays a significant role in equipping Filipinos with the knowledge and practical tools they need to respond effectively to natural disasters.” said Ms. Fides B. Borja, Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist at the World Bank.
“This Panatag Pilipinas campaign is a major tool to enhance understanding of disaster and climate risks, especially in the basic unit of society – the family,” said Dir Caesar N Agnir of the Office of Civil Defense.
“We believe that building national resilience is a shared responsibility—one that requires active participation from businesses, civil society, academia, media, and every Filipino,” said Engr. Liza Silerio, Vice President, Corporate Compliance, SM Supermalls, and Co-Chairperson of Arise Philippines. “As Co-Chairperson of ARISE Philippines, I affirm our deep commitment to embedding disaster risk reduction into our developments, operations, and social responsibility.”
A ceremonial Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing between OCD and SM Supermalls sealed this historic collaboration, witnessed by representatives from the World Bank, Bureau of Fire Protection, and Arise Philippines network. The campaign ambassador, Maj Jose Sixto G Dantes III, lent his voice to reinforce the campaign’s key message: “Alam ng Pinoy ang dapat gawin para maging ligtas sa panahon ng sakuna.”
This launch coincides with the National Disaster Resilience Month (NDRM) 2025, reinforcing the collective call for strengthened community resilience through education, collaboration, and innovation.
“Panatag Pilipinas is a multi-sectoral approach for an effective DRR and resilience information and education campaign to reach out to the majority of the people to heighten their knowledge and preparedness to minimize detrimental effects of disaster risks. This is a classic whole-of-society approach that will significantly contribute to the success of our DRR and resilience efforts.”, said VADM Alexander P Pama (Ret), Arise Global Board Member and SM Prime Holdings Consultant.
For more information on the Panatag Pilipinas campaign and its upcoming initiatives, please visit the Office of Civil Defense and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council official channels.
#SMPRIME #ARISEPH #OCD #NDRM2025 #PanatagPilipinas #PanatagAngMayAlam