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Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation, Inc. (CLFI), the corporate social responsibility arm of Cebuana Lhuillier, once again took the lead in championing disaster preparedness through the 2025 Disaster Resilience Forum (DRF). Carrying the theme, “#ResilientPilipinas, #LahatHandaAtLigtas: A Vision Forged by Action, Fueled by Collaboration,” the forum served as a nationwide platform to promote awareness, influence policy discussions, and encourage unified efforts toward a more prepared and disaster-ready Philippines.
A major highlight of the forum was the introduction of the “Big Wave” framework, CLFI’s proactive response to rising threats such as storm surges, sea-level rise, and potential tsunamis from the Manila Trench. These dangers—often overshadowed by the more familiar “Big One” earthquake scenario—are now being positioned as equally urgent concerns requiring coordinated national attention. Through this initiative, CLFI reinforced its mission to promote readiness and empower vulnerable communities.
Jean Henri Lhuillier, President and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier, underscored the role of grassroots leadership in disaster resilience. “Resilience begins in every barangay. To truly build a Resilient Pilipinas, we must empower local communities with the tools, knowledge, and partnerships they need to withstand the Big One, the Big Wave, and every challenge in between. Our vision is simple but urgent: lahat ligtas at handa,” he said.
The forum unfolded in three dynamic sessions:
- Vision: Shaping a Resilient Future – Led by DOST, PHIVOLCS, DILG, and ARISE, this session called for stronger leadership and barangay-level capacity building.
- Action: Empowering Local Champions – Featuring MMDA, OCD-NDRRMC, DSWD, and grassroots leaders, it showcased scalable, life-saving community solutions.
- Collaboration: Strengthening Solidarity for Impact – A convergence of voices from the government, academe, NGOs, and the private sector, reinforcing the need for unified efforts.
Jonathan Batangan, CLFI Executive Director, shared the deeper intention behind the gathering: “More than just heightening awareness and networking among stakeholder-participants, the DRF2025 is a call to action. By placing the ‘Big Wave’ on the agenda, we challenge communities and leaders to look beyond immediate risks and prepare for the realities ahead. True resilience happens when vision, action, and collaboration come together.”
To ensure advocacy translates into real-world impact, CLFI also launched a nationwide donation drive under its Tulong sa Pagbangon program. Filipinos can now contribute using digital wallets, QR codes, and coin canisters. CLFI further strengthened its support by donating E2G food bars to the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF). This came through Lhuillier’s role as the Philippine Ambassador of E2G, a global partner renowned for supplying nutrient-dense, ready-to-eat food bars for crisis situations.
Through dialogue, partnerships, and concrete initiatives, the 2025 Disaster Resilience Forum moved the mission of a #ResilientPilipinas and #LahatHandaAtLigtas forward.
