The “Advancing Disaster Risk Reduction and Anticipatory in the most vulnerable communities in the Philippines” (ADRRAA) project marked a significant milestone with its 1st Stakeholders Meeting for 2024 held on January 17, 2024, at the Go Hotel Function Hall in Iligan City. The initiative, supported by the German Red Cross and the German Federal Foreign Office, is currently being executed by the Philippine Red Cross Iligan City Chapter.
The meeting served as a crucial platform to update stakeholders on the integrated approach to Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Anticipatory Action (AA) implemented by the project. Representatives from the Philippine Red Cross Iligan City Chapter, including staff, Board of Directors, and volunteers, were joined by participants from the National Headquarters (DMS), local barangays, schools, and key government agencies.
Six months had transpired since the previous stakeholders meeting in 2023, during which representatives from the five target barangays and schools, along with various stakeholders, were briefed on the Red Cross Movement, the project overview, and its planned activities. However, given the changes in barangay officials due to local elections, adjustments in school personnel, and the progression of project activities, organizers deemed it opportune to convene another stakeholders meeting.
The primary objective of this gathering was to provide a comprehensive update on the project’s achievements, challenges encountered, and the planned activities for the remainder of 2024. The meeting aimed to facilitate discussions among stakeholders and address any concerns or issues that may have arisen during the course of implementation.
Participating in the meeting were key stakeholders such as the Iligan City Chapter Staff, Board of Directors, and Volunteers of the Philippine Red Cross; representatives from the National Headquarters (DMS); Barangay officials, including the Barangay Captain and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Chairman; School representatives, including the School Head and DRR Coordinator; as well as various government agencies, such as the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Iligan City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (ICDRRMO), City Planning and Development Office (CPDO), City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD), and City Mayor’s Office (CMO).
The stakeholders meeting provided an invaluable opportunity for collaboration and brainstorming, fostering a collective effort to strategize ways to overcome challenges and ensure the successful implementation of future activities. As the project continues to make strides in advancing disaster resilience in vulnerable Philippine communities, the commitment of stakeholders remains pivotal in achieving the objectives set forth by the ADRRAA initiative.
