ISyoot Mounts Disaster Resilience Digital Event for Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation
Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation, Inc. (CLFI), the corporate social responsibility arm of micro financial services giant Cebuana Lhuillier, successfully held its second Barangay Resilience Exchange (BRX) 2022 Online Conference last October 13 to 14, 2022, with over 50,000 online views and 10,000 social media engagements.
Isyoot Multimedia Production was the digital production and communications partner of CLFI for this event which coincided with the observance of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction of the United Nations General Assembly on October 13.
The digital conference was live-streamed on the Cebuana Lhuillier and Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation’s Facebook and YouTube channels.
The first of its kind in the Philippines, BRX 2022 provides a platform where local communities can share best practices, as well as connect community leaders, multi-sectoral groups, and private organizations for much-needed support in times of emergencies and natural disasters.
Bannering the theme, “Ang Laging Handang Barangay, Mahusay!”, this year’s forum highlighted the importance of collaboration and coordination among government agencies, private organizations, NGOs, and communities to survive and thrive during and after major disasters and calamities.
Jean Henri Lhuillier, the President, and CEO of PJ Lhuillier Group of Companies welcomed the participants to BRX 2022.
“It is our hope that through BRX, we can all do our share in preventing and reducing disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods, economies, and basic infrastructure. And in the aftermath, we can help each other in recovery and rehabilitation. Let BRX be a platform where industry experts could provide a better understanding of the latest developments in building disaster-resilient communities, explore potential partnerships, and identify opportunities to grow,” Lhuillier remarked.
The Isyoot Multimedia production and communications team together with the BRX Secretariat team of Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation.
WHAT TRANSPIRED
With the support of the government through the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), this year’s BRX Forum offered two days of online learning courtesy of the number of scientists and organizations that signed up to share their knowledge and expertise in Disaster Mitigation, Preparation, Response and Recovery.
DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos, Jr., DOST Secretary Renato Solidum, Jr., and OCD Administrator Undersecretary Raymundo Ferrer led the roster of speakers from the government side.
“The difference between victims of disasters and victors is how they handle adversities. The first one suffers from the same repeated story; the latter moves forward and builds capacities.” These were the opening lines of Secretary Solidum when he delivered the keynote address on the first day of the conference.
Secretary Solidum stressed the importance of science in guiding our decision-making. “However, it is what you do with the information you received that makes science work. Your part is to recognize science as your valuable tool and implement actions towards resilience,” he pointed out.
Secretary Abalos spoke about the importance of barangay officials as front liners in times of calamities. He also conveyed the message of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to the conference participants:
“The President has instructed me to assure each and every one of you that this administration is committed to ensuring that the smallest, yet one of the most important units of government is fully capacitated and responsive to the needs of the people.”
It was a powerhouse group of resource persons on the first day of the two-day conference: Dr. Alfredo Mahar Lagmay, executive director of the UP Resilience Institute; Joy Santiago, chief science research specialist of the UP NOAH Center, UPRI; Dr. Jojo Sayson, President & Founder of Project Michelangelo Foundation (USA), and Felix Ayque, Founder & CEO of Komunidad.
BRX 2022 also featured three outstanding barangays from Pasig City, Isabela, and Surigao Del Norte whose chairmen shared their award-winning best practices in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management.
The second day featured live workshops and interviews from disaster resilience advocates, local community leaders from across the country, and panel discussions with representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), German Cooperation Agency (GIZ), Globe Telecom, SM Supermalls, Oxfam, Sagip Kapamilya, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices, Manila Water Foundation, Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Brokers, among others.
The practical first aid demonstration (Agarang Lunas sa Panahon ng Sakuna) conducted by Dr. Ted Esguerra, the emergency management consultant of the Energy Development Corporation, was well received by the audience for its practical use in handling emergencies during disasters and calamities.