Naga City, Philippines – The private sector in Metro Naga has bonded together through the Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management – Philippines (A-PAD Philippines) to respond to the impact of Typhoon Nina which has ravaged the region last December 25, Christmas day.

The group formally launched their “Tabang Bicol” campaign, seeking to mobilize the private sector into responding to the typhoon.

“We are witnessing collaboration at work here,” Gilbert Albero, President of the Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI), and the lead convener of A-PAD PH in Metro Naga said.

“This is an initiative of the private sector to help restore normalcy in the affected areas in the Bicol region, and at the same time support the efforts of the government,” Albero added.

Maricris Binas, Regional Coordinator of A-PAD Philippines in Bicol, said that the group is currently conducting rapid assessment of damage and needs, and is planning to extend initial support through the provision of prepositioned non-food items such as tarpaulin sheets, hygiene kits, and sleeping kits currently stored at their warehouse in Albay.

“Aside from this, we are also calling for additional support from the private sector and the public to augment what we have,” Binas said. “So far, based on our initial assessment, the affected population needs food and non-food items, shelter kits, potable drinking water, and solar lamps.”

It may take weeks or months before the power and water supply is fully restored, she added. “We have drop-off points within and outside Bicol for people who wish to donate.”

Binas also said that they are looking at going beyond the emergency response phase. “Many crops and livelihoods were affected, and we are gearing towards early recovery and rehabilitation as well.”

A-PAD PH Metro Naga is composed of MNCCI, Tarabang para sa Bicol, Inc., Central Bicol State University of Agriculture, Metro Naga Development Council, Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas – Camarines Sur, Philippine Information Agency – Camarines Sur, Mariners Polytechnic Colleges, and Naga City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

This group is part of the A-PAD PH national platform formally launched last March in Manila, which was organized by the Citizens’ Disaster Response Center and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation to promote and enhance cooperation among local government units, private sectors, and civil society organizations with the aim of building disaster resilient communities.

A-PAD is a trans-national disaster aid alliance that works to facilitate cooperation and understanding among governments, private sectors and socio-civic groups in the Asia-Pacific region. ##

For more information, contact:

Marion Ramirez, APAD National Coordinator 

72-A Times St., West Triangle Homes, Quezon City 1104 Philippines

Telefax: +63 2 929 9822 • Telephone: +63 2 929 9820                                                         

Email: apadph@gmail.com • Website: www.apadphil.com