12 May 2014 – Philippine Ambassador to the United States (US) Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. met Asia Pacific Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience (APDR3) Network Executive Director Jainey Bavishi, on May 2 at the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu. This meeting followed the one held in February 2014 in Washington D.C, US.

Launched during the APEC Summit in Honolulu in 2011, the APDR3 Network is a collaborative initiative which works with six sectors of the society, namely, academe; business; government; military; non-profit organizations; and civil society and philanthropy. APDR3 aims to come up with projects and activities to reduce risks from disasters and build more resilient economies and communities in the Asia Pacific Region.

Joining the meeting were Deputy Consul General and Acting Head of Post Roberto T. Bernardo,and  Mr. James Bersson and Mr. Allen Ching of the Pacific Ocean Division of the US Army Corps of Engineers.

During the meeting, the Ambassador expressed the Philippine Government’s appreciation for the assistance offered by the APDR3 Network in engaging the Philippine Government, especially in light of the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in Central Philippines.

The Ambassador also assured Ms. Bavishi that the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. and the Philippine Consulatec General in Honolulu are ready to assist them in linking the Network with concerned government officials, such as Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery Panfilo Lacson. END