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**March 6, 2025, MANILA—**Following the impacts of successive tropical cyclones Kristine, Leon, Marce, Nika, Ofel, and Pepito over a three-week span from October to November 2024, the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) highlighted its disaster information management platform, HANDA, in mobilizing private sector response efforts, in a recent meeting with Airlink’s Asia Pacific Division, a global aviation and logistics nonprofit.
During the Asia and the Pacific Cyclone Response Coordination Call, hosted by Airlink’s Asia-Pacific division, PDRF Operations Center Director Arnel Capili emphasized the need to enhance coordination between the private sector and government agencies, underscoring the importance of timely hazard information dissemination through PDRF’s Emergency Operations Center to ensure more efficient response.
A week before Super Typhoons Ofel and Pepito entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility, the PDRF EOC had already been monitoring their development and potential impacts using various weather models integrated into the HANDA platform.
Capili also shared the challenges posed by these consecutive storms despite the country’s experience with such weather events. “This phenomenon is not new to us; however, there are still unprecedented impacts. For example, in the Bicol Region, even though the typhoon was over Cagayan, the area experienced severe flooding,” he noted, referencing Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, which intensified the Southwest Monsoon and triggered massive floods in Bicol.
In response, PDRF launched its "Tugon sa Bicol" initiative in partnership with Shell, Ayala Foundation Inc., and the Peace and Equity Foundation to bring aid to affected communities. According to Capili, PDRF made operational adjustments at the time, including localizing procurement to reduce logistical costs, which are typically the most expensive aspect of disaster response. Sourcing supplies within the affected areas not only cuts costs but also supports local economies. In addition, PDRF leveraged its network’s resources—such as the logistics cluster—to assist in transporting goods while the government ensured efficient ground distribution.
The EOC also used HANDA to develop a real-time response monitoring dashboard per disaster (TC Carina, TC Kristine, TCs Nika, Ofel, and Pepito) to track private sector responses.
Other members present in the coordination call include APAD Sri Lanka. Capili reiterated PDRF’s goal to serve as the private sector hub for disaster response, advocating for strengthening the Airlink Asia-Pacific Network through more exercises and simulations to improve coordination and preparedness. PDRF and Airlink collaborated on capacity-building and response initiatives in previous years, including Emergency Response Logistics Training and the Winter Aid for Afghanistan response in 2023.
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About PHILIPPINE DISASTER RESILIENCE FOUNDATION
The Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) is the country’s major private sector vehicle and coordinator for disaster resilience. As an alliance of businesses dedicated to building the disaster risk management capabilities of the private sector in the country, PDRF aims to contribute to the sustainable development and the general welfare of the Filipino people. For more information, visit www.pdrf.org.
Media Contact:
Maria Isabel Almenteros-Maravilles
Senior Communications Officer
Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation
E: malmenteros@pdrf.org.ph
Jaymee Lhyn Coronel
Communications Officer
Emergency Operations Center
Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation
E: jcoronel@pdrf.org.ph