THE two-day Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) 9th Senior Disaster Management Officials’ Forum
(SDMOF) hosted by the government, through the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), will start on Tuesday in Iloilo City.
The forum will discuss various disaster-risk reduction and management (DRRM) topics and the sharing of best practices of the various Apec member-economies.
Experts on DRRM coming from international agencies, such as the Asean Centre for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Management and the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, are scheduled to present studies and recommendations at the forum.
The theme of the SDMOF is “Whole-of-Economy Approach: A Paradigm Shift to Adapt to the New Normal.” This is in cognizance of the fact that climate change does not recognize national boundaries, or political or economic affiliations.
NDRRMC Executive Director and Civil Defense Administrator Undersecretary Alexander P. Pama reiterated President Aquino’s call for unity and cooperation in facing the mounting challenges of disasters.
“There really is a need for an inter-economy cooperation in dealing with disasters to ensure sustainable economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region, and promote a holistic, comprehensive, integrated and proactive approach as a new paradigm in addressing disasters and managing risks,” Pama said.