From 1999 to 2019, the Philippines ranked as the fourth country globally that was most affected by extreme weather events, according to the Global Climate Risk Index 2021 report. These calamities often result in great economic losses. In fact, when the Philippines was hit by three destructive typhoons within just two weeks in the last quarter of 2020, the World Bank reported that the cumulative cost of damage incurred in infrastructure and agriculture amounted to approximately PHP 30.76 billion. At the same time, as our country’s population increases with economic development, Filipino communities in urban and emerging urban areas demand and consume more resources, which are eventually disposed of. While urbanization can contribute to the growth of our economy, it may also be a cause of negative impacts, economically and socially, if unsustainably planned and managed. Despite these, efforts to build resiliency and sustainability remain reactive. Initiatives continue to focus on strengthening the capacity to respond and alleviate the devastating outcomes of extreme weather events.

However, while resilient and sustainable approaches have yet to have a single framework that is applicable to all, as it is always subject to context and situation, it is vital that multi-sector engagements and best practices be discussed and more widely adopted to proactively address these challenges and events before they even happen in order to lessen the vulnerability of communities to physical, social, and economic shocks.

Initiatives need to put emphasis on advancing the incorporation of circular business and economic models, investments in “green” and sustainable urban designs, and the incorporation of digital technologies into services and infrastructure developments. It will also require substantial investment in adaptation and mitigation, such as into clean energy and disaster-resilient infrastructure, according to the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

While many sustainable and resilient practices lack broad adoption, we recognize that there are organizations from various sectors around the country that have developed and are implementing effective programs. These best practices and stories of how collaboration for a circular economy, green urban design, and technology and innovation need to be amplified to ensuring a sustainable and resilient future for the Philippine communities.

Hence, in recognition of World Environment Day in June and National Disaster Resilience Month in July, the Stratbase ADR Institute, in partnership with the Philippine Business for Environmental Stewardship (PBEST), organized a virtual Town Hall Discussion (vTHD) entitled, “Best Practices for a Proactive Approach to Climate Resiliency”. This virtual event envisions bringing stakeholders together to share and discuss best practices for more sustainable and resilient communities.

Program

Introduction
Mr. Francesco “Paco” Pangalangan
Executive Director, Stratbase ADR Institute

Opening Remarks
Dr. Carlos Primo “CP” David
Trustee and Program Convenor, Stratbase ADR Institute;
Convenor, Philippine Business for Environmental Stewardship (PBEST)

Speakers

Hon. Dakila Carlo “Dax” Cua
Governor, Province of Quirino;
President, Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP);
National Chairperson, League of Provinces of the Philippines

Mr. Rene “Butch” Meily
President, Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF)

Dr. Mahar Lagmay
Executive Director, Project NOAH

Sci. DPL. Glenn Banaguas
President, Environmental and Climate Change Research Institute;
Chairperson, Asian Science Diplomats;
US-ASEAN Fellows for Science and Technology

Ms. Nazrin Camille Castro
Branch Manager, The Climate Reality Project Philippines

Dr. Corazon PB. Claudio
Convenor-Chair, Climate Crisis & Sustainable Development Network

Closing Remarks
Prof. Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit
President, Stratbase ADR Institute