CLFI’s Disaster Resilience Forum 2025 Sounds the Alarm on the “Big Wave”

Calls for Unified Action Toward a #ResilientPilipinas

Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation, Inc. (CLFI) once again took the national spotlight in disaster preparedness and community empowerment with the successful staging of the Disaster Resilience Forum (DRF) 2025 on September 30, 2025, at Dusit Thani Manila.

With the theme “#ResilientPilipinas #LahatHandaAtLigtas: A Vision Forged by Action, Fueled by Collaboration” and co-presented by the League of Corporate Foundations, the forum brought together leaders from government, private sector, civil society, academe, and community organizations to confront one of the country’s most urgent threats—“The Big Wave.” More than a discussion, the event became a national call to action for unity, preparedness, and shared responsibility in building a disaster-resilient Philippines.

Following its accreditation with a solicitation license from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), CLFI also launched the donation campaign “Tulong sa Pagbangon (TSP)”—an initiative that reinforces the foundation’s mission to help Filipinos recover and rebuild after disasters.

“Tulong sa Pagbangon is our promise — a promise to our fellow Filipinos that we will not leave them to face disaster alone, a promise to our partners that their trust will translate into maximum impact, and a promise to ourselves that we will lead, innovate, and collaborate to build a safer, stronger, more resilient Philippines,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, Cebuana Lhuillier President and CEO.

CLFI Executive Director Jonathan Batangan described the DRF as a rallying point for collective action, emphasizing that resilience begins when communities “turn awareness into action, and action into assurance.”

The forum featured three high-impact panel sessions designed to align national strategies, empower local frontliners, and promote collaboration across sectors.

Panel Session 1 – Vision: Shaping a #ResilientPilipinas and Ensuring #LahatHandaAtLigtas —

Charmaine Villamil – Geoscience and DRR Communications Specialist, Dept. of Science and Technology-PHIVOLCS

Ludwig Federigan – Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Expert, Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources

Maria Angela Monica Salud B. Mamuyac – Assistant Director, Dept. of Interior and Local Government, Bureau of Local Government

Moderator: Nix Hipolito – Program Operations Manager, Manila Water Foundation

These experts stressed the need for harmonized efforts and heightened awareness about tsunami preparedness. They introduced the safety guideline “Shake, Drop, Roar – Move Away from the Shore” to help communities respond swiftly to early warning signs.

Panel Session 2- Action: Empowering Local Champions

Jose Harry Barber – OIC of the Disaster Resilience Service, Office of Civil Defense

Bianca De Mesa – Special Operations Associate, Public Safety Division, Metro Manila Development Authority

Liza Ville Ramos – Research and Planning Division Head of Makati Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office

Moderator: Cenen Milan – Senior Manager for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management of the Ayala Foundation

These leaders shared ground-level insights and best practices in strengthening community-based disaster resilience.

Panel Session 3 – Collaboration: Strengthening Solidarity for Impact

Cesar Augusto Villanueva, Jr. – Deputy Director, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

Silvestre Barrameda, Jr. – Executive Director, National Resilience Council

Rene “Butch” Meily – President, Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation

Moderator: Dawn Marie Francisco Cabigon – CEO, Fairs and More, Inc.

These experts stressed that sustainable resilience depends on shared accountability and people-centered approaches.

The forum also announced a partnership with Eat-2-Grow (E2G), led by Founder and CEO Pete Henderson, who pledged to donate E2G food bars to PDRF to support vulnerable communities during times of crisis.

(From Left) Rhea Penaflor, Programs & Development Division Head of CLFI; Rene Meily, President of PDRF; Jean Henri Lhuillier, CEO & President of Cebuana Lhuillier; Pete Henderson, Founder & CEO of E2G Food Bars; Jonathan Batangan, CLFI Exec. Director

The goal of CLFI is for the Disaster Resilience Forum to serve as a cornerstone platform for national dialogue and collective action, bringing together leaders from all sectors to strengthen collaboration, promote vision-driven leadership, and empower barangay and community champions. By showcasing scalable local solutions and raising awareness of inclusive and anticipatory resilience, CLFI continues to advance its mission of building a #ResilientPilipinas where every Filipino is informed, prepared, and protected.