The UP Resilience Institute (UPRI) convened an exploratory meeting with local government officials from Southern Leyte, together with representatives from the Municipality of Saint Bernard, the Municipality of Liloan, the Office of Civil Defense Region VIII, and the Office of Congressman Coco Yap last March 10, 2026.
The meeting brought together key government officials of Southern Leyte, including Jocelyn Lim Bungcaras, Mayor of Saint Bernard; Jonna Chong Adan, Mayor of Liloan; and Joel Erestain, Regional Director of the Office of Civil Defense Region VIII, whose insights anchored the discussions on local experiences and priorities.
Mayor Bungcaras presented the situation of the Municipality of Saint Bernard, highlighting recurring challenges related to hydrometeorological hazards, as well as the community’s experiences with multiple calamities and the need for strengthened planning and science-based interventions.
Similarly, Mayor Adan presented the local context of the Municipality of Liloan, outlining key hazards and development concerns affecting their area. Both local government units emphasized the importance of integrating risk information into planning and decision-making processes.
UPRI and the UP NOAH Center presented an overview of their work, emphasizing their capabilities in hazard assessment, risk analytics, and decision-support tools designed to support local governments. The Office of Civil Defense Region VIII also shared insights on hazard exposure and regional risk conditions affecting Eastern Visayas.
Discussions focused on potential areas of collaboration, particularly in enhancing risk-informed planning, improving the use of hazard and climate data, and strengthening institutional capacity for disaster resilience. The participating offices expressed their intent to sustain coordination and further explore opportunities for partnership.