COTABATO CITY — To validate and gather additional information necessary to carry out climate and disaster risk assessments for the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, and Sulu, a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and Training on Resilience Roadmap and Investment Portfolio for Risk Resilience (IPRR) for the said provinces were participated in by the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE) – BARMM on 22 August 2022.

Delegates from the Environment Ministry who gave their valuable inputs and comments were Minister Akmad A. Brahim, Bangsamoro Director General (BDG) Atty. Badr E. Salendab, Environment Management Services (EMS) Director Ustadh Jalani M. Pamlian, Forest Management Services (FMS) Director Abdul-Jalil S. Umngan, and Mines and Geosciences Services (MGS) Director Raphael L. Remo. Representatives from the Provincial ENRE Offices of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, and Sulu were also present as well as key personnel from the sectoral services of MENRE. Other concerned agencies and their representatives also participated in the FGD, such as the Bangsamoro’s Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence (READI), the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), and the Ministry of Human Settlements and Development (MHSD).

In his message, Environment Minister said that “The BARMM-MENRE is grateful for the inclusion of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, and Sulu provinces in this project, which would help these communities to enhance the risk reduction and development process of the Local Government Units (LGUs).”

The FGD and training for the aforementioned BARMM provinces were conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Climate Change Service (DENR-CCS), as the implementor of the Strengthening Public-Private Partnerships in the Philippines Project under the Risk Resiliency Program (RRP). Financed by the Urban Climate Change Resilience Trust Fund (UCCRTF) and technical assistance granted by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to the Philippines through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center, the project involves formulation of resiliency roadmaps and IPRRs. Other select provinces and major urban areas are Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Siquijor, Cotabato, Catanduanes, Ifugao, Kalinga, Apayao, Mt. Province, Metro Manila, Metro Iloilo, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao.