Program Milestones

Since its launch, the Resilient LGUs Program has achieved notable milestones:

1. Capacity-Building and Knowledge Sharing: Local leaders and government officials engaged in Resilience 101 and 102 trainings and GeoRiskPH sessions to learn and adopt resilience concepts and build a resilience and data management toolkit.
2. Youth Engagement: The Young Leaders for Resilience Program, introduced design thinking and risk management principles in identified barangays, planting the seeds of resilience among the community’s youth sector.
3. Resilience Infrastructure Development: The initiative supports infrastructure development, with early projects focused on supporting and investing in Early Warning Systems (EWS), which are essential for preparedness in high-risk communities.

Social Vulnerability Analysis: Coastal Communities at Risk Philippines (CCARPH)- Ateneo de Manila University partnership with  Manila Observatory (MO) and the NRC

The CCARPH-Ateneo-Manila Observatory-National Resilience Council conducted a a Social Vulnerability Index (SOVI) assessment to pinpoint Manila’s high-risk populations. The data have been instrumental in prioritizing resilience interventions, from evacuation planning to health services.

Lessons Learned and Future Directions

In July 2022, the National Resilience Council (NRC) engaged with newly-elected  local chief executive, Mayor Honey Lacuna and key officials from the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Council.

During this meeting, Mayor Lacuna appointed officials,  as focal persons  for the Resilient Local Government Unit Programme (RLGUP), for incorporating the Immediate next steps which included the convening of a technical group to advance five approved RLGUP projects: Ateneo-CCARPH-Manila Observatory led Social Vulnerability Index (SOVI), DOST GeoRisk PH, Barangay Resilience Scorecard, Participatory and Community-based Risk Assessment (PCRA), and Infrastructure Risk Assessment, all of which were dedicated in building and sharing knowledge towards establishing community based resilience. The collaboration was sealed by a  tripartite Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing involving NRC, BPI Foundation, and LGU Manila, with academic partners, including CCARPH- Ateneo de Manila University.

Assessing Progress and Challenges in Sustainable Development Goal 13 (SDG 13)

Analyzing Sustainable Development Goal 13 (SDG 13) trends reveals several key findings. There has been a gradual increase in the impact of research efforts addressing climate action, indicating ongoing work to tackle climate change challenges. However, the emphasis on low-carbon energy use has significantly declined, suggesting difficulties in maintaining and advancing sustainable energy practices. This underscores the need for more effective solutions in this area. On the other hand, there has been a sustained commitment to environmental education measures, including local programs, disaster planning, government support, NGO collaboration, and general environmental education. Nonetheless, the absence of reported commitments to achieving carbon neutrality in all three years (2021, 2022, and 2023) raises concerns as it hampers effective climate action strategies and progress toward reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainability.

Engagement with the community on SDG 13 involves various specific initiatives. This includes local education programs on climate, such as the tripartite agreement between ASOG, DOE, and LGA for competency-based energy training for LGUs and projects like SOLAR-POWERED CLEAN WATER SYSTEMS. Additionally, collaborative efforts are focused on climate action planning, exemplified by the CCARPH Naga City Terminal Report and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan (NDRRMP) 2020 – 2030. These collaborations aim to enhance resilience in climate change and disasters. Moreover, there are initiatives to inform and support government agencies, such as the eBayanihan Disaster Management System and the partnership between MO, ADMU, and PAGASA for risk management. Lastly, community engagement includes collaborations with NGOs for environmental education, such as the partnership between MO, ADMU, and PAGASA, and initiatives like CCARPH - Buklod Tao. These actions demonstrate a concerted effort to work closely with the community to address climate-related challenges and promote climate resilience.