The University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) continues to strengthen its resiliency in its participation in the much-awaited and prestigious Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction at the Philippine International Convention Center.
The 5-day conference, which started yesterday, October 14, is being attended by more or less 4,000 ministers and delegates from various governments, Civil Society Organizations, Academic Institutions, Private Sector, and other stakeholders in the Asia-Pacific which have vital roles in disaster risk reduction.
In the opening ceremony, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reiterated the importance of coordination and collaboration among various stakeholders to protect the community in the local to the regional level. Philippines’ hosting of APMCDRR is said to also show the world that Asia-Pacific is not only prepared but is also ready to lead DRR across the globe.
Asia-Pacific is one of the most vulnerable regions in the world while the Philippines is considered as the most at-risk country in the world since 2022.
H.E. Kamal Kishore, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Head of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, emphasized that a local and inclusive DRR is vital. Amidst the increasing disaster risks, the collaborative efforts among various stakeholders should put the people and the communities at the center of all plans and actions.
Representing UPV Chancellor Clement Camposano is his Project Development Assistant for Crisis Management, Mr. Aljohn Torreta from the Division of Humanities, College of Arts and Sciences.
In one of the side meetings related on Asia Pacific Resilient Recovery Dialogue, specifically on “EWS4all Initiative: Progress and Way Forward,” Mr. Torreta gave a comment on the importance of localized and contextualized early warning system to ensure that it is inclusive and sustainable, and is understood by the community.
Mr. Torreta will share his learnings and insights in the international conference to the Crisis Management Committee, which are applicable in the University. (Written Mr. Aljohn Torreta, Division of Humanities)
