Designing a Disaster Resilient City: A Study of the Institutionalization Process of the Marikina City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office

Disaster risks are major bottlenecks to economic development. In the Asia-Pacific region alone, disasters have caused 2 million deaths and accounted for $2.4 trillion in economic losses since 1971. The current trend shows that disasters are getting stronger due to climate change and are disproportionately affecting people in developing countries and the poorest of the population. Despite the growing literature on disaster risk management (DRM), there still exist knowledge gaps particularly on how to strengthen local institutions to manage risks. As one of the first of its kind in the Philippines, the institutionalization process of the Marikina City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MCDRRMO) can provide lessons on how to create and sustain local DRM bodies. Using the institutionalization process framework by [1], interviews and document analysis were conducted. The study identified that variation in political leadership, funding, technology, legislation, and ability to meet the desired outcomes can facilitate or hamper the institutionalization process of a DRM structure. These findings can aid policymaking, especially in improving local resilience

Business Sector

This study assessed eight business companies based in Metro Manila and Bulacan regarding their participation to Yolanda disaster relief and rehabilitation efforts. Specifically, it described the selected companies based on their current Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs and their interventions in response to Yolanda disaster relief and rehabilitation. Data and information were gathered and analyzed using qualitative techniques. Results showed that more than half of the companies fell under the international business company category. All companies were considered large in terms of scale of capital and operation. Five of the companies have their own corporate foundation while two companies have a concrete program on disaster. All participated during the Yolanda disaster relief and rehabilitation initiatives, through direct or indirect support mechanisms

Establishing Agro-Enterprises towards Inclusive Development: The Case of Nueva Segovia Consortium of Cooperatives in the Philippines

This study analyzed the case of a local cooperative in the Philippines engaged in agro-enterprise development (AED). It aimed to gather microlevel insight on AED’s contribution to inclusive development, in the context of inclusive agri-business. The researchers profiled the AED initiatives of the Nueva Segovia Consortium of Cooperatives (NSCC), determined the challenges in implementing these initiatives, and analyzed the perceived impacts of the initiatives on the beneficiaries in relation to inclusive development. Data were gathered through key informant interview, focus group discussion, and review of project documents. Based on NSCC’s experience, key informants perceive that the AED initiatives have led to material, cognitive, perceptual, and relational change in its beneficiaries. These resulted from continuous capacity building and directly linking farmers to modern value chains through agro-enterprise development. The changes contribute to empowering the member farmers thereby promoting inclusive development at the local level. The key challenges faced by NSCC are related to production and the policy and institutional landscape for agro-enterprise development. Addressing these challenges, as well as capacitating the agro-enterprises to implement post-production value-adding activities, can maximize the gains towards inclusive development. In-depth studies on the impacts of agro-enterprises on beneficiaries are recommended to further substantiate the potential of agro-enterprise development to promote inclusiveness

Indigenous and Community Conserved Areas (ICCA) and the Batak Cultural Minorities of Northern Palawan, Philippines

This nascent study examines the current state of the Batak indigenous people in So. Tinitian, Brgy. Tagnipa, Roxas, Palawan as they engage with external institutions in the process of ICCA declaration of their ancestral domain in the midst that legal land and resources rights recognition had been elusive in the past[1]. The Batak indigenous people are termed a

Exploring the Role of Social Capital in the Conduct of Initial Site Assessments of Polluted Sites in the Philippines

Background. A number of studies have shown how enhanced social capital can improve environmental outcomes through decreased transaction costs, increased knowledge and information flow, and improved monitoring and enforcement. Objectives. Social capital plays an important role in reducing adversarial perceptions of initial site assessments of toxic hotspots. It also mobilizes stakeholders to work together to come up with a holistic and comprehensive site assessment. This paper explains the role of social capital in the conduct of the Blacksmith Institute’s Global Inventory Project site assessment protocol in the Philippines. Methods. The study describes and analyzes the role of social capital in the conduct of the initial site assessment based on the actual experiences and observations of the authors and a review of discourse that took place during regular meetings of the Blacksmith Institute’s local investigative team. Results. As of June 2011, 105 polluted sites have been identified in the Philippines. Information on the location and background of these sites came from a variety of sources, including government, environmental NGOs, academic institutions, community groups and industry associations. Seventy percent of used lead-acid battery recycling sites assessed were referred by the industry. More than 40% of artisanal and gold-mining sites were referred by regional government and local contacts. Conclusions. Social capital has played an important role in the conduct of the Blacksmith Institute’s initial site assessment protocol. Relationships and networks within the group and among different organizations build and expand the social capital of the team and facilitate the site assessment process by making it easier to coordinate with local authorities and gain better access to research, data and key persons. It also encourages local stakeholders to take ownership of assessment findings, sometimes leading to the mobilization of various community sectors in reviewing and planning interventions to address specific health and pollution issues. Financial Disclosure. None reporte