A-PAD Bicol to be launched

NAGA CITY --- Embassy of Japan Representative Midori Yajima who also serves as program coordinator of the Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management (A-PAD), along with Albay Gov. Al Francis Bichara who chairs the Bicol Regional Development Council, Presidential Adviser for Bicol Affairs Marvel Clavecilla, Director Claudio Yucot of the Office of Civil Defense for Bicol, and Naga City Mayor John Bongat will lead the top personalities to witness the launching of the A-PAD Bicol Regional Platform and the covenant signing by all concerned stakeholders of A-PAD Bicol. Originally known as A-PAD Metro Naga, A-PAD Bicol, one of the few in the country, will be formally launched on July 13, 2018 at Avenue Plaza Hotel in this city that coincides with the celebration of the 2018 Bicol Business Month. The new name is meant to embrace an expanded roster of members with a regional (Bicol) perspective. A-PAD is a trans-national disaster aid alliance that works to facilitate cooperation in the Asia Pacific Region. At present, it has 800 members form the private sectors located in its member countries, such as Japan, Indonesia, Sri-Lanka, South Korea, Bangladesh, and the Philippines. During the program that will start at 8:40 a.m., Mayor Bongat will welcome the guests and stakeholders before the introduction of A-PAD Philippines by Rene Meily, president of the Philippine Disaster resilience Foundation. This will be followed by the presentation of A-PAD Philippines Regional Platforms by Lourdes Louella Escandor of the Board of Trustees of the Citizen’s Disaster Response Center. After the messages of support, President Ferdinand Sia, president of the Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI) will formally announce the formation of A-PAD Bicol and the presentation of partners with MNCCI as lead convenor. Covenant signing by various partners and stakeholders will immediately follow. Dr. Charlito Cadag, dean of the graduate school of CBSUA, will deliver the closing remarks.