Coherence of DRR, CCA, and SDG urged
In 2015, the Philippines became a State Party to the UNISDR Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and the UNFCCC Paris Agreement on Climate Change. The coherence of these development frameworks is imperative to ensure that our work towards resilience in the country is realized.
To start the discussion on the mainstreaming and integration of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in our work towards sustainable development, Disaster Risk Reduction Network Philippines (DRRNetPhils) together with Center for Disaster Preparedness (CDP), A2D Project – Research Group for Alternatives to Development (A2D) and the Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office organized an Expo-Summit on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and Sustainable Development. There was also a DRR-CCA-SDGs Info Fair Exhibition that showcased good practices by various stakeholders on how the linkage and practical application were implemented.
In her talk, Zenaida Willison, President of Center for Disaster Preparedness, stated that our role as stakeholders is to prevent new and reduce existing disaster risks. “We should not walk in three different roads; we must converge to be able to achieve community resilience,” she added.
Aside from the discussion on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, Undersecretary Adoracion Navarro of the National Economic Development Authority also discussed AmBisyon Natin 2040, the collective long-term vision and aspirations of the Filipino people for themselves and for the country in the next 25 years. The vision states that “In 2040, we will all enjoy a stable and comfortable lifestyle, secure in the knowledge that we have enough for our daily needs and unexpected expenses, that we can plan and prepare for our own and our children’s future. Our family lives together in a place of our own, and we have the freedom to go where we desire, protected and enabled by a clean, efficient, and fair government.” To be able to realize this, we really need to ensure the integration of DRR and CCA in the strategies to achieve the vision. Climate change affects the intensity and frequency of hazards that we are experiencing, so if we do not address the vulnerabilities of our communities, it can be disastrous. Disasters don’t only disrupt our development, it can even negate the progress we’ve achieved.
The Expo-Summit kicked off the discussion and raised issues such as the clarification on the roles of government, civil society and other sectors. There is also a need to define the strategy on localizing the roadmap towards sustainable development to the local communities.
The event was held on January 20-22, 2017 in Robinsons Galleria Atrium, Cebu City and was attended by more than 800 participants from youth and students, civil society organizations, local government officials, academe, and local communities.
Originally posted on DRRNet Phil's Facebook Page.