LGU representatives complete training on Building Resilient, Adaptive, and Disaster-Ready Communities (B-READY)

Thirty-four (34) participant-representatives from Local Government Units in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao successfully joined the B-READY Training Program which culminated last March 28, 2022 via Zoom and Canvas. The ASOG-Oxfam Training on Building Resilient, Adaptive, and Disaster-Ready Communities (B-READY) is a three week online learning program implemented by the Ateneo School of Government (ASOG) as part of upscaling the project initiative of Oxfam Pilipinas, the B-READY.

The entire training consisted of three (3) modules, namely, Framing the innovative approach to safe, inclusive and efficient pre-emptive cash transfer assistance, Digital Financial Inclusion and Cash Voucher Assistance (CVA), and Developing capacities for pre-emptive cash transfer assistance informed by tropical cyclone forecasting and triggers. These modules covered five (5) live synchronous sessions held via Zoom, accompanied with pre-session and post-session activities published asynchronously on a learning management system (LMS).

The training began with a review of  disaster risk reduction concepts, and anticipatory action with emphasis on the innovations in climate change mitigation. This was discussed during the first live session on March 15, 2022, by  Mr. John Charles Altomonte, M.E.M., CEO of Verne Energy Solutions and ASOG Junior Faculty for Climate Change and Environment. Mr. Junver Arcayna, M.I.B., Financial Inclusion Manager of Oxfam Pilipinas, contextualized anticipatory action and information-sharing in disaster risk reduction and management.

The second live session on March 17, 2022 emphasized gender dimensions before, during, and after calamities. Emma Porio, PhD, Project leader & Principal Investigator of the Coastal Cities at Risk in the Philippines Project raised gender and development issues especially during calamities and disasters. Prof. Jessica Dator-Bercilla, M.A., Co-Principal Investigator of the Coastal Cities at Risk in the Philippines Project, introduced gender-responsive measures that help avert loss of lives and assets and avoid cascading disasters. Finally, Ms. Aida Loyola, Provincial Supervisor of Plan International Philippines, discussed the application of gender and protection in the context of B-READY.

The third live session, held on March 23, 2022, focused on the concepts of digital financial inclusion and cash voucher assistance within the context of the B-READY Project.  Mr. Junver Arcayna gave an orientation on financial inclusion while Mr. Teodorico "Erik" Brillo, III, Area Business Lead of Paymaya, explained the  role of MIMO merchant outlets in pre-emptive cash transfer. Mr. Esteban “Bong” Masagca, Executive Director of People's Disaster Risk Reduction Network, and Ms. Ann Ria Barrera, Cash-based Intervention Focal Person of the People's Disaster Risk Reduction Network led preparatory learning sessions for digital cash voucher assistance and community-based data rights.

On March 25, 2022, Mr. Tony Behrmann of Global Parametrics discussed the use of Risk-Forecasting Technology for Anticipatory Action. Hon. Melchor Melgar, Mayor of LGU-Salcedo also presented the best practices of their local government unit on anticipatory action through the B-READY project. Both were presented through pre-recorded video presentations. This was followed by the workshop of LGUs on reviewing and reframing their DRR plans towards anticipatory-driven approach, which was presented to the panel of experts composed of Mr. John Charles Altomonte, Mr. Junver Arcayna, Ms. Nora Nesola, and Ms. Ann Ria Barrera. The panel was given the opportunity to share their insights with the outputs of the workshop. Their comments were used as the basis on improving the DRR plans of the LGUs. Finally, the third module commenced with the second workshop on March 28, 2022 wherein participants’ DRR plans were improved with the adoption of the B-READY Project.

During the closing ceremony, Dr. Imelda Deinla, on behalf of ASOG, and Ms. Maria Theresa Niña Espinola-Abogado, on behalf of Oxfam Pilipinas congratulated the participants.

In their closing messages, they expressed their hope that their earnest commitment to this training program would translate to more concrete actions in building safe, adaptive, and disaster-resilient communities across the nation. One of the participants of the training, Ms. Lovelynn Mae N. Plaza of Butuan City shared, “We see this as a great help po talaga sa mga LGUs natin, lalo na ang Pilipinas ang isa sa laging dinadaanan ng bagyo. Kami po ay lubos na nagpapasalamat sa mga input niyo po.” [“We see this as a great help to our LGUs, especially in the Philippines where typhoons frequently land. We are extremely thankful for your input.”]

The B-READY project is an innovation that combines weather forecasting and pre-disaster cash transfer technology that allows communities to protect themselves and minimize damages to livelihoods and infrastructures before a disaster strikes. It is jointly implemented by Oxfam Novib, Oxfam Pilipinas, People’s Disaster Risk Reduction Network, PLAN International, PayMaya, Smart Padala, Global Parametrics, and the Local Government of Salcedo, and Oras in Eastern Samar, and Cotabato City, with the funding of Dutch Relief Alliance.