The University of the Philippines Resilience Institute (UPRI) received a Plaque of Appreciation from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) during its 72nd founding anniversary celebration on 29 September 2026 at Tejeros Hall, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
UPRI was represented by Executive Director Dr. Alfredo Mahar Francisco A. Lagmay, Education Division Director Dr. Bernard Alan B. Racoma, and Chief Science Research Specialist Richard L. Ybañez. The celebration carried the theme “Strengthening Resilience, Honoring Service, and Building the Future.”
The recognition highlighted UPRI’s partnership, commitment, and contributions to disaster risk reduction and management. It cited the Institute’s collaboration with OCD through initiatives and resource sharing that strengthen local capacity and disaster preparedness.
Much of UPRI’s ongoing collaboration with OCD takes place through the Philippine Preparedness Partnership (PhilPrep), which brings together OCD, UPRI, the Center for Disaster Preparedness, and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation. This partnership includes Project Talagháy in Barangays San Isidro and Tibag, Tarlac City, where the partners worked with communities, local government, and Tarlac State University to strengthen flood preparedness and community-based early warning. UPRI contributed scientific and technical support, including monitoring instruments and a dashboard to support local preparedness decisions.
These efforts build on the wider UP–OCD partnership formalized through a memorandum of understanding signed in July 2024. The agreement covers training, education, research, and scientific inputs to disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation planning. UPRI’s engagement also includes Disaster Preparedness Pillar meetings, supporting coordination on preparedness priorities and initiatives.