This program brought both NGOs and corporate funders or foundations together in one space. To summarize, this webinar’s overall objective is to synchronize and mobilize efforts for all Filipinos. The webinar's panel was composed of four speakers.
The first panelist, Mr. Ray Laguda from the Philippine Business for Social Progress Organization, emphasized the need for social connections at this time. He also talked about the timeless spirit of bayanihan and the connection of dots, providing end to end solutions for the urban poor and for frontliners.
Unemployment and Addressing food security were both prevailing concerns that were tackled. In order to address these,the NGOs are driven to create connections and links in order to help as much as possible. At the forefront of all these efforts is collaboration with the private sector.
This is indeed a good time to reimagine what community is ideal for all Filipinos. This crisis has revealed a lot about us, how we think, feel and act towards our fellowmen.
Ms. Roselle Rasay, Executive Director of CODE-NGO, discussed networks and people’s organizations from all over the country. About a hundred of these organizations are trained in Disaster and Risk Reduction Management (DRRM). These organizations are very much prepared and are addressing the needs of the country. Coordination work (information exchange, logistics and supply chain, mapping) is crucial. Exchanging situationers and plans are of big help.
Ms. Kathryn Pauso from USAID talks about the grants program and call for proposals. Their focused sector is MSME and its overall competitiveness. She discusses three pillars of USAID’s response: domestic resource mobilization, infrastructure development, MSME development.
Mr. Francis Capistrano, Head of Experimentation at the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) accelerator funds, discussed the collaboration of his organization with civil society as a whole. The UNDP contributes to socioeconomic impact assessment and recovery, crisis management and strengthening health systems.
We are in a mode of survival and then recovery. This is especially true for NGOs. How do NGOs see recovery? They believe that the eye of the storm has not reached us yet. This is why safety nets and health measures are vital. In order to have a sense of control, constant vigilance helps. Gathering data can help us answer questions down the line, questions that we do not even know for now.
Are there efforts to help NGOs during this crisis? What kind of resources can we access? For organizations with emergency response measures, these were now put in practice. NGOs should also remember that in order to help, they must also protect themselves. If there are resources to spare, collaborate with other organizations in order to become more visible and in order to have more resources to then reinforce a virtuous cycle. Vulnerable sectors are indeed counting on aid.
The use of social capital now matters more than ever since there is a possible shortage of materials and economic capabilities. There is a need for greater collaboration.
This is a time of great learning. Our survival will depend on how we embrace change, how we collaborate and communicate with each other.