The Philippines is a country distressed by its susceptibility to earthquakes from its location in the Pacific Ring of Fire, and volcanic eruptions from its 24 active volcanoes nationwide (Sanchez, 2020). Filipinos also face intensified periods of drought and rainfall due to the surrounding bodies of water of the archipelagic country brought about by the El Niño and La Niña phenomena. The Climate Change Commission, whose officials represent the Philippines at the United Nations (UN) Framework Convention on Climate Change's annual conference of parties (COP), said that the nation is aiming to reduce harmful greenhouse gases by 30 percent by 2040.

To mitigate the effects of naturally occurring calamities, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) measures such as disaster management, mitigation, and preparedness have been implemented by different local and international organizations. DRR programs by concerned government entities will be able to strengthen infrastructures, ensure access to necessities, and reinforce adaptive capabilities by vulnerable populations across the country (Philippine News Agency, 2020).

NordCham Philippines supports this event and invites you to the first series of Catching Up to Climate Change entitled "Catching Up To Climate Change: Incorporation of Disaster Risk Reduction to Philippine Resiliency" on April 19, 2021, from 9:00 am to 11:15 am via Zoom as the speakers would discuss the Philippines' vulnerability to Climate change, services to protect the Philippines from natural disasters, proper implementation of disaster preparedness programs from the government to the private sectors, how businesses should prepare against natural disasters, climate change resiliency for the Asia-Pacific Region and discussion on underlying disaster risk precautions and dissemination of information.

Indicative Program

9:00am to 9:05am

Opening Remarks

Mr. Florian Gottein ECCP Executive Director

9:05am to 9:10am

Introduction of Speakers

Mr. Antonio Peralta

ECCP Southern Mindanao Business Council

9:10 am to 9:25am

The vulnerability of the Philippines to Climate Change

Atty. Tecson John S. Lim (Confirmed)

Director of the Policy Development and Planning Service (PDPS)

9:25 am to 9:40 am

Services to Protect the Philippines from Natural Disasters

Mr. Vicente B. Malano, Ph.D. (Invited)

Chief

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration

9:40 am to 9:55 am

Preparation of Businesses Against Natural Disasters

Ms. Veronica Gabaldon (Confirmed)

Executive Director

Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation

9:55 am to 10:10 am

Climate change resiliency for the Asia-Pacific Region

Ms. Mami Mizutori (Invited)

Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk

Reduction and Head

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction

10:10 am -10:25 am

Discussion on underlying Disaster Risk Precautions and dissemination of information

Ms. Nelly Riama (Confirmed)

Director of Research and Development,

The Indonesian Agency for Meteorology Climatology and Geophysics

10:25 am -10:45 am

Panel Discussion

LGU representatives (Manila, Cebu, CDO, Davao)

Mr. Christan John V. Evangelista (Confirmed)

Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer II

The Manila Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office

Mr. Ramil Ayuman (Confirmed)

Officer-in-charge

The Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction And Management Office

Mr. Allan Porcadilla (Invited)

Officer-in-charge

City Disaster Risk Reduction And Management Department Cagayan De Oro

Mr. Alfredo D. Baloran (Invited)

Officer-in-charge

Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction And Management Office

10:45 am to 11:10 am

Open Forum

11:15 am

End of Program and Announcements

Participation Fee:

NordCham Member: FREE

Non-member: 1000PHP