The Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation has secured an estimated USD 4.5 million in grants from international organizations. PDRF executives presented this significant accomplishment and other milestones during the recent PDRF Board Meeting.
L-R (Standing): Chris Dalupan (PDRF), Trina Aspuria (PDRF), Marc Anthony Cox (Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines), Marisa Conde (PLDT), Arnel Capili (PDRF), Edgardo Amistad (UCPB-CIIF Foundation), Jose Victor Emmanuel De Dios (Manila Water), Gareth McGeown (Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines), Ronnie Aperocho (Meralco), Guillermo Luz (PDRF), Atty. Mark Martinez (PDRF)
L-R Sitting: Veronica Gabaldon (PDRF), June Cheryl Cabal-Revilla (PDRF), Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala (Ayala Group), Manny V. Pangilinan (MVP Group), Butch Meily (PDRF), Lorelie Quiambao Osial (Shell), Atty. Rita Pena-Antonio (PDRF)
New grants from the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Canadian International Development Agency, the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center, and PepsiCo will support initiatives in disaster preparedness, recovery, private sector engagement in disaster risk reduction (DRR), and gender-inclusive DRR.
At the meeting, led by Co-Chairmen Manuel V. Pangilinan and Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, PDRF President Butch Meily highlighted PDRF’s numerous achievements in 2024.
Over the past year, PDRF’s disaster response initiatives have reached more than 500,000 individuals in 12 regions, mobilizing PHP 47 million in cash and in-kind aid. In addition, Meily shared progress and significant milestones in its flagship programs, including airport readiness, energy security, area-wide business continuity, forecast-based early action, and emergency communications.
Under the Climate Resilient Cities Project, PDRF has installed six (6) Emergency Operations Center (EOC) packages and launched the first-of-its-kind Private Sector Engagement Playbook.
Meily also announced new partnerships with organizations and government agencies like UNICEF, Deloitte, GSMA, Direct Relief, and PDRF’s international recognition through participation in forums and benchmarking visits at the EOC. One notable visit was in August 2024, when the Ecuadorian delegation visited PDRF to learn how the organization engages the private sector in disaster management and how they can replicate it in their own country. Moreover, Meily emphasized their report on DRR strategies to the Private Sector Advisory Council of President Bongbong Marcos.
PDRF Chief Resilience Officer Guillermo Luz also highlighted the renewal of the PDRF EOC lease in Clark, Pampanga, with plans to upgrade its facilities. This milestone signifies a strengthened partnership between PDRF, Clark Development Corporation, and Bases Conversion Development Authority, as well as more impactful programs towards disaster resilience.
Board members acknowledged these developments as part of PDRF’s commitment to strengthening disaster resilience and fostering collaboration across sectors.
