DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Ten Local Government Units (LGUs) from Maguindanao del Sur and the Special Geographic Areas (SGA) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have successfully drafted their Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plans (MDRRMPs) for 2026–2028. The milestone was achieved during an intensive four-day writeshop held from August 27 to 31, 2026, at the Blue Lotus Hotel in Davao City, designed to integrate gender-responsive and inclusive strategies into local disaster preparedness, response, and recovery frameworks.
The success of the activity was driven by strong inter-agency leadership and facilitation. Key leaders included Engr. Abdul Nazer K. Ugokan, DRRM Division Chief of the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG-BARMM), alongside co-facilitators Ms. Jeannette S. Actub, Project Manager of the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS) BABAE, and Ms. Romina “Beng” Sta. Clara, Head of the Sub-Office of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
The activity brought together Sisty (61) delegates representing 10 municipalities, including Datu Montawal and Pagalungan from Maguindanao del Sur, as well as Kadayangan, Kapalawan, Ligawasan, Malidegao, Nabalawag, Old Kaabakan, Pahamuddin, and Tugunan from the SGA. Each multi-sectoral delegation comprised key local functionaries, including Municipal Planning and Development Coordinators (MPDCs) or Administrators, Municipal DRRM Officers, Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Persons, Municipal Health Officers, Municipal Social Welfare Officers, MILG Local Government Operations Officers from MILG-SGAFO (MILG-LGOOs), and representatives from the Special Geographic Area Development Authority (SGADA).
Participants engaged in technical sessions, plenary presentations, and table-top exercises focused on integrating critical gender perspectives across all four DRRM pillars: Prevention and Mitigation, Preparedness, Response and Early Recovery, and Rehabilitation and Recovery. Specialized presentations anchored the technical training. Ms. Aira Tose, UNFPA Gender/GBV Analyst, opened the technical discussions with a presentation on essential protection frameworks, specifically Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), Do No Harm principles, and Accountability to Affected People (AAP). This was followed by a session led by Mr. Revie Tindugan, UNFPA SRH Program Analyst, who presented the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) in emergencies and Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
To translate policy into practical operational workflows, Ms. Romina “Beng” Sta. Clara led an interactive simulation exercise designed to help local functionaries address real-world emergency scenarios. Additionally, municipal representatives from Datu Montawal and Pagalungan delivered plenary presentations reviewing their 2024-2026 MDRRM Plan, sharing local insights and baseline progress from Maguindanao del Sur.
Gender-responsive planning and preparedness, along with early warning and disaster response, can reduce disaster mortality, promote the equitable distribution of emergency supplies, ensure shelter safety, and build more disaster-resilient societies. Gender-equal participation not only responds to challenges in women’s rights but also supports effective disaster recovery implementation and investment (planning) in disaster preparedness and response.
This joint capacity-building initiative was made possible through the support of the Government of Japan through UNFPA under the BABAE (Babaeng Bangsamoro, Arkitekto ng at Ehemplo sa Pagbabago) Project, implemented in partnership with CBCS and in close collaboration with the MILG-BARMM. To finalize the comprehensive MDRRM Plans, participating LGUs will undergo training on Climate and Disaster Risk Assessment / Climate Risk Profile (CDRA/CIPRA) to identify, analyze, and manage the impacts of climate change hazards and community vulnerability. The CDRA system is mainstreamed into local plans such as the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) and the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP), which the local government is still finalizing. These interventions are part of the BABAE Project’s technical support to LGUs to incorporate gender analysis and to address the specific needs of women and vulnerable communities in the development plans.
Writer: Monawara M. Kumayog, Project Officer
Recent Comments