Project TRANSFORM: Empowering Communities through Public-Private Partnerships and Climate Training

Iloilo City- On May 19, 2025, Project TRANSFORM hosted a Public-Private Partnership orientation meeting and community-level greenhouse gas inventory training at the DPWH Regional Office 6. The event aimed to engage private stakeholders, academic representatives, and community members to create a unified approach toward urban greening and climate resilience.

OIC Regional Executive Director Raul L. Lorilla opened the meeting, highlighting its significance in advancing global climate actions through multi-stakeholder collaboration.

“This event marks a significant milestone in our efforts to advance global climate actions to climate resilience solutions by means of multi-stakeholder collaboration emphasizing on the establishment of green spaces and green infrastructure throughout the city of Iloilo” said DENR 6 OIC Regional Executive Director Raul L. Lorilla.

Dr. Jessica Dator-Bercilla, Science Resilience Fellow at the National Resilience Council, provided a brief overview of Project TRANSFORM, outlining its goals and initiatives. Following her presentation, Engr. Jun Peter G. Dabuco, chief of the Climate Change Unit at DENR-EMB VI, discussed the impact of climate change on communities and the importance of greenhouse gas inventories.

Mr. Ronald Cartagena, head of the Office of the City Planning and Development Coordinator, shared insights on the implementation of Project TRANSFORM in Iloilo City. Engr. Antonio P. Caliston, Jr., a Structural Engineer from DPWH Region VI, addressed the need for green spaces and green infrastructure in urban planning.

An open forum followed, allowing participants to ask questions and engage in discussions about their roles in fostering climate resilience within their communities. This interaction highlighted the commitment to building partnerships aimed at creating sustainable urban environments in Iloilo City.

OIC Regional Executive Director Raul L. Lorilla concluded the meeting with a message: “It is a reminder that while we’re enjoying the Earth by doing our own businesses, please return back a portion and contribute to us how to counter the negative impact of the activities of your establishments by contributing to the community your share in protecting and improving our environment.”