Mayor Leni Robredo is keen on sending personnel from the city government to the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) to study disaster risk reduction and climate resilience, following a visit to her office by a team of AIM executives on Thursday, July 24.
Robredo expressed interest in enrolling one or two members of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) in AIM’s comprehensive course on disaster management, which integrates climate action into its curriculum.
“I think this learning is what we need as we have to disaster-proof the Nagueños,” said Robredo. k
“We cannot always spare our constituents from disasters, but we can teach them how to prepare, what to do, and how to recover quickly. For me, that’s the meaning of resilience.”
The mayor noted that the traditional approach of acting only when emergencies arise has become costly. Investing in preventive and strategic education, she said, will not only minimize property damage but also reduce community disruptions during calamities.
“Having our own DRRM experts who have formal training from institutions like AIM will help us craft better policies and implement more effective response strategies,” Robredo added.
While AIM is offering a 25% scholarship to Naga City Hall enrollees, Robredo admitted that the remaining cost—still substantial due to AIM’s dollar-based rates—may require tapping private partners and alumni networks for financial support.
“Even if climate advocates from other groups are willing to work with us, it’s still better if we have in-house personnel with formal training,” she emphasized, underscoring the value of building local capacity for disaster preparedness.
Robredo is hopeful that AIM alumni based in Naga will also support the initiative, which she sees as a long-term investment in building a more resilient and climate-ready city. | via Jason B. Neola
