Canada co-funds climate

Disaster resilience proj

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)—After six years, Bohol expects that its communities in hazardous areas and prone to the effects of disaster, would have built their own capacities, as well as national and local governments, institutions, including women-led organizations and community-based organizations, to effectively prepare for, mitigate, respond to and recover from natural and climate-induced hazards.

This as Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado signed for Bohol Partnering for Climate and Disaster Resilience or Governance for Climate and Disaster Resilience (Gov-CDR), a project to be implemented in partnership project with Alinea Philippines and funded by Global Affairs of Canada (GAC) that aims to enhance the resilience to natural hazards and climate change.

Also implemented in five other provinces in the Philippines, Gov CDR however is only offered to Local Government Units with high climate hazards exposure, with a considerable governance readiness and competitiveness ranking, according to Gov CDR country manager Edgardo Catalan.

Moreover, the project is piloted for areas where there is an existing strong inter and multi sectoral collaboration, has a good record for the optimization of disaster and risk reduction management budget, and an established linkage between national and local governments.

The project integrates inclusive governance, climate change adaptation and gender equality, diversity, and social inclusion (GEDSI) strategies to increase climate change adaptation and strengthen disaster risk reduction in line with the thematic areas of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan (2011-2028), the Climate Change Act of 2009 (RA 9729), and the National Adaptation Plan (2023-2050) to enhance resilience to natural disasters and climate change in communities in the Philippines, explains Bohol Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Officer Anthony Damalerio, during the agreement signing.

Witnessing the milestone event was Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines David Hartman, Damalerio, and local government officials led by Vice Governor Tita Baja.

To be implemented by Alinea Philippines; a non government organization in collaboration with its Canadian affiliate Alinea International, Gov CDR began on March 25, 2024, and continues to be implemented until March 15, 2030.

Relying on fostering honest working relationship, both the provincial government and Alinea collaborate in planning and implementing activities that promote inclusiveness to ensure equitable benefits for all constituents, regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, age, political affiliation, or socioeconomic status by integrating gender equality, diversity, social inclusion, and cultural dimensions into climate and disaster resilience initiatives.

All of these to enhance Bohol’s climate and disaster risk assessment (CDRA), by helping local governments and their communities improve the way they assess risks and natural hazards, mitigate and prepare for, respond to and recover from related disasters and adverse effects of climate change.

Also working with the Department of Interior and Local Government and Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the project would develop and implement a risk-informed and GEDSI-responsive plan to strengthen climate and disaster resilience with private and business sector, women-led and community-based organizations, NGAs, NGOs/CSOs, and local resource institutions and partners to plan, coordinate, execute, monitor, and evaluate CDR initiatives, identify, mobilize, and leverage resources and implement targeted projects and initiatives to address climate and disaster challenges and leverage opportunities for sustainable CDR. (PIABohol)

ONE OF SIX. Canada through Global Affairs Canada, funds Bohol project on governance for Climate and Disaster Resilience, along with Kalinga, Samar, Aklan, Davao de Oro and Bukidnon, to help strengthen its disaster exposed communities in risk mitigation, response and disaster rehabilitation. Witnessing the MOA signing for the project is Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines HE David Hartman and a team from Bohol and Canadian Embassy (PIABohol)