by: Jerome Paunan
MANILA, (PIA) — In a significant move to bolster disaster preparedness, the 2024 Dagyaw Open Government and Participatory Governance Town Hall Meeting is set for July 9 at the Megatrade Hall 2 in SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City. This crucial event, running from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., marks a cornerstone of the National Disaster Resilience Month (NDRM) activities.
The town hall, adopting the theme “Bantayog ng Katatagan at ang Pagbubuklod sa Layuning Kahandaan” (Monument of Resilience and Unity in Preparedness), will primarily focus on earthquake readiness in Metro Manila. The event aims to disseminate vital information and strategies based on the Metropolitan Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study (MMEIRS), addressing three potential earthquake scenarios:
- The dreaded “Big One” or a 7.2-magnitude earthquake originating from the West Valley Fault System
- A powerful 7.9-magnitude offshore earthquake from the Manila Trench
- A 6.5-magnitude earthquake centered in Manila Bay
Organizers emphasize that these scenarios are not mere hypotheticals but scientifically projected possibilities that demand serious preparation.
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG-NCR), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM-NCR), and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA-NCR) are leading this collaborative effort. They’ve joined forces with private sector entities including SM Prime Holdings, the National Resilience Council, and ARISE Philippines, showcasing a whole-of-society approach to disaster resilience.
This initiative is part of the broader Opengov Series, which evolved from a March 2024 forum titled “Building Resilience through Women Leadership: An Open Government and Participatory Governance Forum.”
The series aims to break down silos between government, private sector, and civil society in addressing critical national issues.
A roster of high-profile speakers will share insights and strategies:
- DILG Secretary Benjamin C. Abalos Jr. is expected to keynote the event;
- Caloocan City Councilor Carolyn Cunanan to discuss the city’s Climate and Disaster Risk-informed Local Development planning;
- Pasig City Councilor Maria Luisa Angela de Leon-Rivera to present the city becoming a Model Climate Action City;
- Quezon City Mayor Josefina “Joy” Belmonte to discuss the city’s iRISE UP (Intelligent, Resilient, and Integrated Systems for the Urban Population);
- Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval to present the city’s Disaster Resilient, Climate Change Adoptive, and Sustainable Socialized Housing Project;
- Makati City Mayor Mar-len Abigail “Abby” Binay-Campos to discuss the city’s Resilience Hub – a first in the Philippines and Southeast Asian Region, among others.
The choice of “Dagyaw” — a Hiligaynon term meaning togetherness — for the event’s name underscores the government’s belief that effective disaster preparedness requires unified effort across all sectors of society.
Participants can expect interactive sessions, including Q&A periods with experts, practical demonstrations of emergency procedures, and possibly virtual reality simulations of earthquake scenarios.
The event aims not just to inform but to actively engage citizens in disaster preparedness efforts.
While focused on Metro Manila, the lessons and strategies discussed are expected to have broader implications for national disaster resilience policies.
Organizers hope that this town hall will serve as a model for similar events across the Philippines, fostering a culture of preparedness nationwide. (JCO/PIA-NCR)
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