title: Developing the Philippines as a Global Hub for Disaster Risk Reduction - A Health Research Initiative as Presented at the 10th Philippine National Health Research System Week Celebration.
abstract: The recent Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) Week Celebration highlighted the growing commitment to Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in the Philippines. The event was lead by the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Health, and saw the participation of national and international experts in DRR, and numerous research consortia from all over the Philippines. With a central focus on the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the DRR related events recognised the significant disaster risks faced in the Philippines. They also illustrated the Philippine strengths and experience in DRR. Key innovations in science and technology showcased at the conference include the web-base hazard mapping applications 'Project NOAH' and 'FaultFinder'. Other notable innovations include 'Surveillance in Post Extreme Emergencies and Disasters' (SPEED) which monitors potential outbreaks through a syndromic reporting system. Three areas noted for further development in DRR science and technology included: integrated national hazard assessment, strengthened collaboration, and improved documentation. Finally, the event saw the proposal to develop the Philippines into a global hub for DRR. The combination of the risk profile of the Philippines, established national structures and experience in DRR, as well as scientific and technological innovation in this field are potential factors that could position the Philippines as a future global leader in DRR. The purpose of this article is to formally document the key messages of the DRR-related events of the PNHRS Week Celebration.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Environment and Population Health, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Department of Health, Manila, Philippines.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Banwell
authors.affiliation: Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, Department of Science and Technology, Manila, Philippines.
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Montoya
authors.affiliation: Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, Department of Science and Technology, Manila, Philippines.
authors.forename: Merlita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Opeña
authors.affiliation: Council on Health Research for Development (COHRED), Geneva, Switzerland; School of Applied Human Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
authors.forename: Carel
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: IJsselmuiden
authors.affiliation: Health Emergency Management Bureau, Department of Health, Manila, Philippines.
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Law
authors.affiliation: Health Emergency Management Bureau, Department of Health, Manila, Philippines.
authors.forename: Gloria J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Balboa
authors.affiliation: Centre for Environment and Population Health, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Shannon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rutherford
authors.affiliation: Centre for Environment and Population Health, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Cordia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.affiliation: Public Health England, London, England; UNISDR Scientific and Technical Advisory Group, Geneva, Switzerland; Integrated Research on Disaster Risk Scientific Committee, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Murray