The Climate Change Commission, the Philippine Commission on Women, and the National Resilience Council sign a Memorandum of Agreement for the 2024 Philippine Resilience Awards during a ceremony held at Cabel Restaurant in Manila.

MANILA, Philippines – The Climate Change Commission (CCC) has formalized a partnership with the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) and the National Resilience Council (NRC) through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the 2024 Philippine Resilience Awards (PRA). This initiative, in collaboration with the Office of Senator Loren Legarda, aims to recognize women and youth who are champions of resilience.

As one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, the Philippines faces an urgent need for enhanced preparedness and effective resilience strategies. The award seeks to acknowledge and support the outstanding contributions of individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to strengthen community resilience and develop adaptation plans for climate-induced disasters.

The theme for this year's PRA, “Kababaihan at Kabataan: Katatagan ng Bayan," underscores the crucial role of women and youth in building a climate-resilient community. The awards aim to empower and recognize individuals who contribute to climate action and disaster resilience.

The MOA was signed by CCC Secretary Robert E.A. Borje and Commissioner Rachel Anne S. Herrera, PCW Chief GAD Specialist Dr. Macario T. Jusayan, and NRC Executive Director Silvestre Z. Barrameda.

Other partners present at the ceremony included Arise Philippines, a private sector alliance for disaster-resilient societies, and Women's International Network on Disaster Risk Reduction (WINDRR).
 
Engr. Liza Selerio, Co-chairperson of SM Prime Holdings, emphasized the significance of the MOA signing. “This event reaffirms our commitment to climate action initiatives for climate-induced disasters. It provides an opportunity for the public and private sectors to strengthen and share best practices, adapt and build a resilient community,”  she said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Maria Teresita Pastor Medado, a convenor from WINDRR, emphasized that the awards represent the power of collective action and strength. “This recognition will bring women and youth to become beacons of success in climate action, driving innovative solutions and cultivating a climate-resilient community,“ she stated.

Barrameda also highlighted the importance of the MOA signing, stating that it “underscores the importance of amplifying the voices of exemplary resilience champions who have significantly contributed to the achievement of a resilient Philippines.“

Meanwhile, Dr. Jusayan stressed the PRA’s role in recognizing women in their big contribution to climate action. “This partnership represents a significant milestone in our unified efforts to mainstream gender and development (GAD) in the environment sector,” he said.

Secretary Borje, Vice Chairperson and Executive Director of the CCC, emphasized the critical role of every individual in their community to address the global crisis. "This ceremony celebrates our unsung heroes—women and youth who have devoted themselves to the cause of climate resilience. Their actions remind us that resilience begins with personal responsibility,"  he stated.

Commissioner Herrera affirmed that this program reinforces the nation's commitment to adaptability, particularly in climate action and disaster risk reduction. "This agreement emphasizes the vital role of each key partner in contributing to the country’s resilience. By pooling our resources and expertise, we can further promote sustainable solutions and strengthen our collective ability to face climate-related challenges," she said.

This partnership aims to promote and empower individuals to undertake climate action initiatives, fostering a more climate-resilient country. It will facilitate collaboration and support for effective climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction efforts.