From Surviving to Thriving: How the National Resilience Council is Transforming the Future of Disaster Risk Reduction in the Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Resilience is no longer just an aspiration—it is a necessity. The National Resilience Council (NRC) of the Philippines is proving that resilience thrives in collaboration. At the 2025 Resilient Local Government Unit Program (RGLUP) Colloquium, the NRC reaffirmed its commitment to moving communities beyond survival, towards long-term sustainability and disaster preparedness.

Under the theme “From Surviving to Thriving: Transformative Strategies through Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships and Innovations,” this groundbreaking event convened leaders from national and local governments, the private sector, academia, civil society, and international organizations. It was a powerful demonstration that resilience is not built in isolation—it is forged through unity, strategy, and innovation.

A Call to Action: Resilience as a Shared Responsibility

The colloquium opened with a resounding call to action from NRC Co-Chairman for the Private Sector, Hans Sy, who emphasized that resilience is an ongoing journey, a shared responsibility that requires continuous innovation and commitment. His words set the tone for the discussions that followed, reinforcing the idea that disaster preparedness should be proactive rather than reactive.

Alongside Sy, other influential voices took the stage, including Austere Panadero, Vice Chairman for Civil Service Organizations and President of the Zuellig Family Foundation, and Fr. Jose Ramon Villarin, SJ, Vice Chairman for Scientific Organizations and Director of the Manila Observatory. Their collective message was clear: silos must be broken, sectors must unite, and resilience must be embedded in every level of governance and society.

Cities Taking the Lead: The Adopt-a-City Initiative in Action

At the heart of the colloquium was the progress update on the Adopt-a-City (AAC) Initiative, an NRC flagship program designed to move corporations beyond short-term disaster relief into sustained investment in disaster risk reduction and climate resilience. Through preparedness funding, pre-disaster recovery planning, and long-term resilience programs, the initiative empowers local governments to build safer, more adaptable communities.

Representatives from various local government units (LGUs) took center stage, showcasing their resilience journeys:

Baguio, Iligan, Mandaue, and Tiwi, Albay—currently in the Prepare phase—unveiled their innovative strategies to mitigate risks and enhance response capabilities. Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong underscored the crucial role of collaboration, stating, “Baguio’s resilience journey highlights the power of partnership and national support.”

Naga, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo, Bataan, Manila, and Ormoc—which have advanced to the Adapt and Transform phases—shared their success stories in integrating resilience into governance. Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez proudly declared, “Because of Project Transform and our esteemed partners, Ormoc City remains steadfast in its commitment to environmental stewardship and resilience.”

This exchange of insights among LGUs demonstrated how science-driven, community-centered, and business-supported strategies can effectively safeguard cities against disasters.

A Landmark Achievement: The Launch of the Resilience Competency Assessment (CompAss)

A defining moment of the event was the launch of the Resilience Competency Assessment (CompAss), a groundbreaking tool designed to enhance local government capabilities in disaster resilience.

With the presence of key national agencies such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of National Defense (DND), and international partners like the United Nations ARISE Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies – Philippine network, this milestone reaffirmed that resilience is not just about responding to disasters—it’s about building the right systems, training local leaders, and ensuring long-term sustainability.

A United Front for a Resilient Philippines

The colloquium concluded with a powerful moment—over 150 leaders, partners, and stakeholders standing together, united by a common goal: to transform the Philippines into a nation that doesn’t just survive disasters but thrives despite them.

The NRC has once again proven that true resilience is a product of shared responsibility, strategic collaboration, and a forward-thinking approach. By bringing together government officials, business leaders, scientists, and local communities, the movement for disaster resilience has become more than just a policy—it has become a reality.

As the NRC continues to drive its mission forward, one message echoes loud and clear: In the face of adversity, resilience is our greatest strength. And together, we are unstoppable.

About "WazzupPilipinas.com"

WazzupPilipinas.com is the fastest growing and most awarded blog and social media community that has transcended beyond online media. It has successfully collaborated with all forms of media namely print, radio and television making it the most diverse multimedia organization. The numerous collaborations with hundreds of brands and organizations as online media partner and brand ambassador makes WazzupPilipinas.com a truly successful advocate of everything about the Philippines, and even more since its support extends further to even international organizations including startups and SMEs that have made our country their second home.