ESSU to host 4th int’l disaster conference anew

BORONGAN, Samar — The Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) in Borongan City, Samar will host for the 4th consecutive year one of the major events in the field of DRRM, – the international conference on integrative disaster risk reduction management on Sept 4-6 at the ESSU Multi-purpose Hall, Borongan City.

This year’s theme, “Managing our Future by Managing Disasters” aims to find innovative ideas in dealing with change and complexities associated with man-made and natural disasters that have become the new norm in today’s realm.

A total of 250 participants composed of educators, researchers, DRRM officers from the provincial to the municipal levels including those designated in various DepEd schools, representatives from NGOs, INGAs and civil society organizations are expected to attend the threeday event.

Welcome address will be delivered by ESSUS president Edmundo Campoto.

The keynote speaker is Melgabal Capistrano, country manager of the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center with headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand.

Invited plenary speakers are executive director of Manila Observatory and former dean of the school of governance of the Ateneo de Manila University Antonio La Viña, newspaper columnist and PhD graduate of the University of the Amsterdam Gideon Paul Lasco, Mapua University associate professor Fibor Tan, De La Salle University associate professor and an alumnus of Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in Japan Melvin Jabar, Marinduque State College professor who holds a PhD in UPLB Arnolfo Monleon, and unit lead of the Energy Development Corp. Teofredo Esguerra, also a PhD.

One of the highlights of the conference is the simultaneous paper and poster presentations for academic researchers based on two thematic areas: risk assessment and risk management; and disaster response and sustainable development that is anchored on the National Climate Change Action Plan’s seven strategic priorities: food security, waterefficiency, ecosystem and environmental stability, human security, climate-smart industries and services, sustainable energy, and knowledge and capacity development.

There will also be a lecture session designed for delegates coming from the LGUs, NGOs, INGAs and CSOs with the following subject matter experts: Dante Eleuterio and Xyla Ortinero of the Save the Children organization; Mayor Richard Gomez of Ormoc City or his representative – Ormoc City being one of the country’s demonstration cities for building climate resiliency through urban plans and designs; Engr. Arnaldo Villalon, director, Alternative Renewable Energy Center; Atty. Bonifacio Uy, NEDA 8 regional director; and Forester Edgar Peque, director, center for eco-governance and climate change adaptation.

Registration fee is only Four Thousand Six Hundred pesos (P4,600) inclusive of conference kit, certificate, meals and snacks and tour to two selected municipalities in Eastern Samar that were severely hit by super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in November 2013 but were then able to recover from its ruins and destruction after almost four years since that fateful day.

Interested parties can still register on-site during the first day of the conference. For inquiries, please email to essu. disaster.summit@gmail.com or call/text 09269028516.