Thirty-Six more local governments in Philippines sign up for Making Cities Resilient Campaign

GENEVA, 18 November 2011 - Today 36 more cities in the Philippines signed up to UNISDR’s ‘Making Cities Resilient Campaign: My City is Getting Ready!’ They joined the Campaign during the 3rd League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) Global Convention and Exposition in Manila on the theme of Bridging Cities, Transforming Lives.

“We are thankful that UNISDR has pushed us into action. This will help us to address the goals of our new National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan [2010]”, said Mayor Oscar Rodriguez, President of LCP and Mayor of San Fernando, Pampanga during the Convention which began yesterday and ends tomorrow.

"Delegates and mayors today wholeheartedly support UNISDR’s call to join the ‘Making Cities Resilient Campaign. We have resolved to maximize efforts to make cities resilient and to be prepared for disasters and climate change ever since City Mayors unanimously adopted the Chengdu Declaration (13 August) of Action in Chengdu [China] urging all our members to sign up for the Campaign”, said Rodriguez.

The five-point strategy of the Chengdu Declaration includes: enhancing cooperation between cities; strengthening local capacity and national-local cooperation; incorporating disaster resilient initiatives into urban development planning; and raising more awareness in cities about disaster risk reduction (DRR).

Helena Molin Valdes, Director a.i. of UNISDR welcomed the new signatories to the campaign and called on them to build on the good experience and learning among cities. She highlighted that much of those lessons were already available from the role model city of Makati, and the Municipality of San Fransisco, Cebu.

During the 3rd LCP, mayors, national and international experts re-examined the inclusive character of cities.

According to UN Habitat, an inclusive city is one that promotes growth with equity - where every individual, regardless of economic stature, race, or religion is empowered to participate in the decision-making process.
Molin Valdes said: “We are encouraging cities to engage in DRR and climate change adaptation through and inclusive process based on the principles of transparent local governance.”

Rodriguez said building resilience now involved everyone. “It is no longer the sole responsibility of government. We all share a common concern - how do we save the future together".

Today’s new signatories to the Campaign, now brings the total number of local governments who have signed up to 111.

The Campaign proposes a Ten-point Plan to serve as a guide for commitments by mayors. These include a budget for DRR; preparation of risk assessments; investment in and maintenance of critical infrastructure to reduce risk; safety of all schools and health facilities; realistic, risk‐compliant building regulations and land use planning; identification of safe land for low‐income citizens: education programmes and training on DRR in schools and local communities; protection of ecosystems and natural buffers; installation of early warning systems and emergency management capacities; ensuring that the needs of the survivors are placed at the centre of reconstruction.