by Erica Mae S. Santos, UPRI-RCW
The University of the Philippines Resilience Institute (UPRI) – Research and Creative Works Division recently launched a landmark two-day forum that brought together a diverse group of stakeholders to tackle the urgent issue of climate-related health risks. Held on July 30-31, 2025, at the University Hotel in Quezon City, the forum titled “Strengthening Climate-Health Resilience in the Philippines through CORD: Collaborations on Dengue Policy Development” emphasized the critical need for proactive responses in the face of converging public health threats. The event, led by UPRI Executive Director Dr. Alfredo Mahar Lagmay and organized by Chief Science Research Specialist Dennis G. de la Torre and the UPRI-RCW team successfully gathered prominent representatives from national and local government agencies, healthcare institutions, academia, and civil society. Their collective goal was to share knowledge and forge collaborative strategies with a specific focus on dengue prevention and control. CORD stands for Center for Climate and Health Global Research on Disasters. Day 1 of the forum served as the official Partnership Launch, culminating in the signing of a statement of commitment by collaborating entities. This was followed by an in-depth policy discussion on health and anticipatory action, with notable insights from partners such as Dr. Jigo Romiel Salvador (Medical Officer III, Health and Climate Change Office; DOH) and Dr. Roland “Rolly” Cruz (Quezon City Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Division). Day 2 focused on technical applications and emerging good practices based on the latest research on dengue. The sessions featured presentations on advanced modeling, data analytics, and risk mapping for dengue, delivered by leading experts including Dr. Ian Christopher Rocha (National Dengue Program Manager, DOH Disease Prevention and Control Bureau); Dr. Maria Regina Justina E. Estuar (Professor, Department of Information Systems and Computer Science; Head, Ateneo Social Computing Science Lab; Executive Director, Ateneo Center for Computing Competency and Research); Dr. DJ Darwin Bandoy (Associate Professor for Epidemiology, UP Los Baños College of Veterinary Medicine; CVM); and Dr. May Anne Mata (Director, UP Mindanao Center for Disease Watch and Analytics; DiWA). Their research laid the groundwork for the multi-sectoral Workshop and Presentation Session that followed, where participants brainstormed actionable policy recommendations.
The forum concluded with a strong consensus on the need for integrated approaches and sustained collaboration to effectively address climate-related health risks. The event also highlighted plans for piloting interventions on dengue prevention and control in Quezon City and Barangay UP Campus. The successful gathering served as a launchpad for transformative partnerships, reinforcing the collective will to act early, act smart, and act together to enhance national resilience.
