In a renewed demonstration of commitment, the Department of the Interior and Local Government-National Capital Region (DILG-NCR) joined the ARISE Philippines Annual General Membership Meeting held on January 27, 2025, at SM Prime Headquarters Office, Pasay City.  

The meeting, which convened over a hundred private sector network members and stakeholders, was organized to present the network’s 2024 Accomplishment Report, alongside its 2025 Operational Plan and Strategic Priorities for 2030. In addition, attendees were also briefed on key developments in ARISE Global Network’s advocacy, partnerships, and resource mobilization efforts, among others. 

Present during the meeting were DILG-NCR Regional Director Maria Lourdes L. Agustin, CESO III and Local Government Capability Development Division Acting Chief Luigi D.C. Pilarta, accompanied by Local Government Operations Officer Yasser C. Gutierrez. In a statement issued after the meeting, RD Agustin highlighted DILG-NCR’s commitment to strengthening public-private partnerships for building resilience and inclusive local governance. 

“Through our Local Governance Regional Resource Center, we are pleased to work hand in hand with ARISE Philippines and its network members to support our local government units’ efforts and capacity in forging impactful collaboration with the private sector. The private sector, as emphasized during the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction hosted by the Philippine Government, plays a pivotal role in building resilience through risk-informed investments, especially at the local level,” RD Agustin said. 

A key highlight of the meeting’s agenda was the Network Members Program Selection and Engagement Consultation Session. This interactive session provided member organizations with the opportunity to identify which of the six (6) flagship programs of the network best align with their existing priorities and areas of interest. Among these, the DILG-NCR pledged to collaborate on three (3) programs, including the Building Resilience: Safe and Sustainable Community Program, the Youth for Resilience Program, and the Planting Trees for Resilience: Trees for Every Generation Program. 

The three (3) other flagship programs of ARISE Philippines are as follows: Capacity Building for Resilience and Sustainability Program, Empowering Resilience and Sustainability: Uniting Efforts for Lasting Progress Program, and Twinning for Sustainability Program.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Mr. Hans T. Sy, Chairperson of ARISE Philippines, delivered the closing remarks. He emphasized the need for strengthening the whole-of-society approach, highlighting that the vision of ARISE Philippines 2030: Innovate, Integrate, and Elevate stands as a guiding principle in catalyzing progress for a resilient and sustainable future for all Filipinos. 

ARISE Philippines, organized through the initiatives of SM Prime Holdings in 2015, is a network of private sector entities that voluntarily commit to supporting and implementing the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030. In July 2024, the DILG-NCR Local Governance Resource Center launched the Metro Manila Disaster Preparedness and Climate Change Resilience Network, with ARISE Philippines as one of the founding partners.