Recognizing that the geographic location of Davao Oriental makes it susceptible to natural risk hazards, Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon met with representatives from the Strengthening Institutions and Empowering Localities Against Disasters and Climate Change (SHIELD) Program of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to discuss ways to make Davao Oriental’s communities more resilient to disasters and climate change.
The UNDP-SHIELD Program is designed to implement risk-informed, inclusive resilience activities and expedite local resilience-building initiatives by working with a variety of stakeholders to access funding. The program will also extend assistance with the creation of a Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP), which will also give priority to the province’s economic, social, and physical clusters, as part of its assistance for resilience-building and sustainability initiatives.
Governor Malanyaon expressed her appreciation for this highly-welcomed development undertaken by the organization during a conversation with UNDP-SHIELD Program Manager Maria Victoria De Guzman. This, according to her, will significantly help the province’s capacity to absorb effects, bounce back, and rebuild more effectively in the event of natural disasters and other disruptions caused by climate change.
“This is a very welcome development, especially during these trying times when we are challenged with the reduction of our IRA and the meager financial condition of the province. We will give our all-out support as we come together to materialize this program in Davao Oriental,” Malanyaon expressed.
As the Provincial Government will jointly create the initiatives and interventions best fit for the resilience building of the province, Governor Malanyaon noted that she intends to concentrate efforts on programs rooted in agriculture and tourism as these are the two priorities her government is giving significant weight in order to help increase revenue and lower the prevalence of poverty. She also emphasized the importance of keeping support for initiatives that will promote and sustain food security in the local areas.
“We really need to offer customized programs tailored-fit to the priority needs of each community,” she said.
Following the meeting with the governor, SHIELD held a discovery workshop with the provincial department heads, as well as members of the Provincial Development Council, business chambers, and representatives from the private sector. The workshop sparked meaningful conversation on how to further strengthen resilience in the province by identifying multiple opportunities for collaboration with the SHIELD Program.
The partnership between UNDP-SHIELD and the Province of Davao Oriental is expected to come into a formal agreement with a Memorandum of Understanding to be signed in the month of June. This will make Davao Oriental the first province in Davao Region and the third in the whole of Mindanao to execute the aforementioned program. By Francis Jay Butulan | Photos by Mark Oliver Alvite
