A Global Model for Private Sector Resilience
PDRF, which celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2021, continues activities responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath by mobilizing its member companies to support the national vaccination campaign, reaching out to vulnerable communities including people living with disabilities, providing meals to medical workers in COVID-19 referral hospitals, and organizing workshops on mental health.
PDRF also provided assistance to communities evacuated and affected by the eruption of Taal volcano in July 2021, distributing hygiene kits and children toys. The network engaged on issues related to the climate emergency, co-organizing the Philippine Water Challenge and collecting donations to plant trees during World Humanitarian Day.
The experience and knowledge of PDRF has also been essential in supporting programmes on business continuity. PDRF, with the support of UNDP, OCHA Philippines and CBI, has:
Launched a digital platform called the Synergizing Recovery Initiatives, Knowledge, and Adaptation Practices (SIKAP) MSME Resilience Hub to share tools and resources on response and recovery for MSMEs;
Created “PUHON,” termed after the Cebuano term for “hopefully, in due time”, a strategic foresight planning toolkit for MSMEs;
Developed a training programme on business continuity for hospitals and other Government agencies;
Conducted first responders trainings and the installation of rainwater catchments for clean water.
PDRF was actively involved in the response to Typhoon Rai (known locally as Typhoon Odette), which struck the Philippines on 16 December 2021, claiming 407 lives and displacing more than 500,000 people. Thanks to its private sector-led Emergency Operations Centre, PDRF was ready to intervene within hours. It organized operational briefings for its member companies and partners in coordination with the Government and UN representatives. The network provided 196,000 ready-to-eat meals, transported over 200 tons of goods and assisted about 70,000 families with food rations.
Lastly, PDRF has collaborated with CBI to share their experience through three knowledge products:
- Responding to Multiple Disasters: Case Study on the PDRF Emergency Operations Center and Response to Super Typhoon Goni and Vamco during the COVID-19 Pandemic;
- Guidance on Emergency Response Planning: Lessons from the PDRF Experience;
Integrating Conflict Sensitivity in Private Sector Disaster Management: Lessons from the PDRF
Cover photo: PDRF
RISK PROFILE
An archipelago of over 7,000 islands located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Philippines is highly susceptible to natural hazards, including tropical cyclones, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions earning it first place in the 2025 World Risk Index. For the Filipino community, the frequency of these disasters means that preparing for disruptions is part of daily life for every household. Culturally speaking, the population is keenly aware of the different risks that they face, having experienced significant disasters firsthand. They know that working together is the only way to build resilience.
Network at a glance
Host organization
Non-profit organization (registered with the Philippine SEC in 2010)
Headquarters
Pasig City, (formerly Makati City)
Number of members
60+ member companies
Scale / Business reach
National
Contact person
Veronica Gabaldon
Contact email
pdrfcentral@pdrf.org.ph
Areas of focus
Earthquake, Flood, Landslide, Tropical cyclone, Volcanic activity
Building Disaster Resilience in the Philippines
Building disaster resilience in the Philippines
Discover the Philippines Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), a business federation which is a founding member of CBI and has been working to build disaster resilience in the Philippines for the past 10 years.Strategy and Action Plan – Online Course


