Iloilo City, private sector align efforts on disaster preparedness

Resilience is multi-sectoral and entails the preparedness of all.

Day 2 of the Scientific Forum in Iloilo City gathers the private sector for “Turning Foresight into Enabling Preparedness and Resilience amid the Threat of a Super El Niño” at Belmont Hotel Iloilo today, September 29, 2026.

Mayor Raisa Treñas shared ongoing city government initiatives, including i-Greens for urban greening, the possibility of transforming Iloilo into a “Sponge City,” and the recent order for a delineation survey of waterways, with about P6 million allocated for the initiative.

“We cannot wait kay climate change is here. So Iloilo City Government made sure to look for funds to make sure nga ma-review naton ang mga waterways diri sa syudad,” she said.

She also recounted her personal experience during the flash flood brought by Typhoon Frank and emphasized the importance of knowing what to expect in order to prepare.

Meanwhile, members of the private sector thanked the city government for initiating the forum. They underscored the importance of preparedness within their respective ecosystems, recognized the local government as a foundation for environmental and economic sustainability, and commended the city government for its strong public-private partnership practices.

This forms part of the overarching KABALAKA Program (Kahublagan sa Barangay para sa Lapnagon nga Kahandaan sa Kalamidad), the flagship disaster risk reduction and management framework of the Iloilo City Government executed through the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO).

Distinguished Speakers and Topics:
• Ma. Antonia Loyzaga – Special Envoy for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
• Dr. Rosa Perez – Senior Research Fellow, Manila
Observatory
• Dr. Charina Lyn Amedo-Repollo – Co-developer, Marine Heatwave Tracker, UP MSI
• Engr. Ferdinand L. Rubin Jr. – Weather Specialist, PAGASA Iloilo
• Engr. Liza Silerio – Vice President for Corporate
Compliance Group for SM Supermalls and Program Director for SM Environment and Sustainability
• Capt. Jorge Aborde – John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University
• Coast Guard District, Western Visayas
• Ma. Luisa Segovia – President, Iloilo Business Club
• Engr. Fulbert Woo – Regional Governor, PCCI Iloilo
• Mr. Angelo David Berba – Chief Operating Officer, Metro Pacific Iloilo Water
• Roel Z. Castro – President, MORE Power
• Prof. Jessica Dator-Bercilla (Resilience Fellow, National Resilience Council)
Moderator

📷 J. Muñoz & A. Ballarta/Iloilo City PIO