PHILIPPINES STRESSES CENTRAL ROLE OF GOVERNMENT, MULTI-STAKEHOLDER APPROACH IN DISASTER RISK REDUCTION NEGOTIATIONS 24 November 2014 – The Philippines emphasized the central role of governments and stressed a multi-stakeholder approach in disaster risk reduction (DRR) during the Second Session of the Preparatory Committee (PrepCom2) Meeting for the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (3WCDRR) held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland from November 17 to 18. “We welcome and appreciate the zero draft, which highlights the centrality of States in enhancing risk governance, transparency, responsibility and accountability, complemented by a mutually reinforcing multi-stakeholder partnership between the State, and national and international DRR actors,” said Undersecretary Alexander Pama, Administrator of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the Executive Director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), in his statement during the plenary of PrepCom2. The PrepCom2 aimed to negotiate the text of the draft post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction (or the zero draft) almost after ten years after the Hyogo Framework for Action (2005-2015) – Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters (or HFA1) was adopted. The Undersecretary also underscored the need to strengthen the section in the zero draft on international cooperation and global partnership in order to assist developing countries, particularly those in vulnerable situations, to achieve a culture of resilience in all aspects. “We have introduced Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA), a tool and process that addresses the possible risks and impacts of impending hazards of particular areas in a manner that is ‘Hazard specific, Area focused, and Time bound’ going beyond ‘across the board’ warning signals,” Undersecretary Pama added. He also stressed the importance of further institutionalizing and strengthening the disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) framework, particularly for Recovery and Rehabilitation. He said, “Our Haiyan experience underscored the need to “build back better, safer and faster” to promote resilience for development.” During the plenary, the Philippines also underscored the importance of Public-Private Partnership for enterprise development and risk financing, stating that increase in disaster damages and losses underscores the need for more responsive risks transfer mechanisms and the need to ensure business continuity. The country also reiterated the inclusion of migrants in the zero draft, including ensuring their role in DRR. More than 1,400 people (with over 130 UN Member States), including Inter-Governmental Organizations, 21 UN entities, NGOs, local government, private sector, science and civil society representatives, were in Geneva earlier this week to negotiate the zero draft. To demonstrate its strong commitment to disaster risk reduction, the Philippines sent a high-level delegation to the Second Session of the Preparatory Committee. The delegation was composed of Undersecretary Pama and Ambassador Cecilia B. Rebong, Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) and Other International Organizations (IOs) in Geneva, as co-heads. The other members of the Philippine delegation included Deputy Director-General Margarita Songco of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA); Acting Administrator Dr. Vicente B. Malano of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA); Assistant Secretary Jesus R.S. Domingo of the Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of the United Nations and Other International Organizations; Deputy Permanent Representative Noralyn Baja of the Philippine Mission to the UN and other IOs in Geneva; Assistant Secretary Reynaldo Antonio Laguda of the Department of Education; Ms. Lenie D. Alegre, NDRRMC Civil Defense Officer V; Ms. Josefina T. Porcil, NDRRMC Civil Defense Officer IV; and Third Secretary Sharon Johnnette M. Agduma of the Philippine Mission to the UN and other IOs in Geneva. Work is to continue on the negotiation of the post-2015 framework for DRR through December and January to have a new draft ready for consideration at the PrepCom3 scheduled for March prior to the Third UN World Conference on DRR in Sendai, Japan from March 14 to 18, 2015. END
Posted on: Mon, 24 Nov 2014 08:40:00 +0000
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