Facing some of the world’s most frequent and severe climate-related hazards, the Philippines continues to strengthen its national framework for resilience through data, partnerships, and policy innovation. On 29 October 2025, the National Policy Dialogue on Climate and Disaster Resilience (NPDCDR) brought together over 150+ participants at the Hilton Manila, including leaders from government, academia, development partners, and the private sector.
Jointly organised by the Philippines’ Department of Finance (DOF) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), with the support of the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Expertise France, and the European Union Delegation to the Philippines, the event formed part of the ongoing Disaster Risk Reduction Enhancement at the Local Level (DRREALL) project.
Anchored on the theme “From Code Red to Code Ready,” the Dialogue underscored an urgent yet optimistic narrative: moving from recognition of climate risks toward actionable, coordinated resilience-building.
Data for Decision-Making: Technology and Governance in Action
At the heart of the Dialogue was the thematic session on “Data Governance and Innovative Technology for a Resilient World.” The session examined how data interoperability, governance standards, and digital technologies can strengthen anticipatory action and local decision-making.
Moderated by Ms. Ronilda Co, Localisation Programme Lead at the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), the discussion brought together perspectives from both government and technology sectors:
- Hon. Renato Solidum (Department of Science and Technology) emphasised the continued institutionalisation of GeoRisk Philippines, which serves as a cornerstone for evidence-based planning across the country.
- Dir. Jose Harry Barber (Office of Civil Defense) noted persistent gaps in inter-agency coordination and the need to strengthen local government capacities to manage and apply risk data effectively.
- Mr. Kevin Lee (Databridge Technology Solutions) highlighted the role of inclusivity and crowdsourced data in making digital systems more responsive to local realities.
Representing CopPhil, our Technical Liaison Officer, Marion Sutton, underscored the potential of Copernicus satellite data to improve early warning systems, forecast extreme events, and guide long-term resilience planning.
“Disasters don’t stop at borders, and neither does satellite data,” Sutton said. “Earth Observation (EO) supports disaster risk reduction activities before, during, and after crises.”
She explained that EO data plays a critical role in identifying and anticipating areas of high risk: from flood- and drought-prone zones to regions susceptible to forest fires. It helps map the current state of key systems such as crops, cities, and rivers, providing supporting evidence on when and where hazards might escalate. This information allows decision-makers to set priorities for the implementation of anticipatory actions and preparedness measures.
Showcasing Innovation: CopPhil at the Resilience Marketplace
CopPhil was also represented at the Resilience Marketplace, which featured booths from government agencies, NGOs, and international partners showcasing solutions for disaster preparedness and climate adaptation.
Our booth highlighted how Copernicus Earth Observation data is being applied in thematic areas such as ground motion monitoring, forest, crop and land cover mapping, and coastal marine habitat monitoring, all of which provide critical insights for local resilience planning.
Visitors from local governments, universities, and development organisations explored how CopPhil EO Services could complement existing systems.
The booth served to also showcase EU’s Global Gateway strategy in action, connecting digital, environmental, and policy dimensions to support resilient development in partner countries.
Shared Commitments and Continuing Momentum
The Dialogue concluded with the signing of the Manila Manifesto for Resilience, a collective pledge to advance data sharing, inclusive governance, and multi-sectoral collaboration. The call to action was clear: resilience must be built not only through infrastructure, but through information, cooperation, and innovation.
For CopPhil, the event reaffirmed the growing recognition of Earth Observation data as a cornerstone of anticipatory governance and disaster preparedness. At the same time, the discussions reinforced the importance of capacity-building, interoperability, and access to free and open data, key priorities for CopPhil’s ongoing work with our partner agencies, PhilSA and DOST.
Beyond visibility at the Marketplace and representation in the technical panel, CopPhil’s participation underscored the Europe’s continued commitment to advancing digital, and climate resilience in the Philippines.
Background Information
As a flagship and unique programme of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, CopPhil is designed to harness digital resources and space technology for sustainable development and to support innovations in research and business in close cooperation with government partners.
CopPhil is managed by the European Union Delegation to the Philippines. It is implemented by the European Space Agency (ESA) in partnership with the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) and the Philippine Department of Science and Technology (DOST). In addition to the development of the Earth Observation pilot services, the activities of CopPhil include the establishment of a Copernicus Data Centre and IT infrastructure as well as awareness-raising and knowledge and skills transfer related to Copernicus data and information.
