Posted on : September 07, 2015
MECHANICS
The newly-established Mindanao Center for Resiliency (MCR) of the Institute is now accepting entries for its logo contest. What follows are the mechanics and other pertinent details for all interested participants:
The Mindanao Center for Resiliency Briefing Paper
Background
Building on the new zeal and enthusiasm from the palpable paradigm shift among academics toward DRRM and CCA concerns and consolidating the existing Institute research and extension efforts in the field, responding to the Hyogo Framework of Action, RA 10121, RA 9720, and the Joint Circular from DBM and CCA towards the integration of climate change concerns in government spending, a new MSU-IIT DRRM-CCA Center under the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension is in order.
The proposed Center’s main function is to coordinate and consolidate all the existing efforts and future plans of the various academic units and cost centers of the Institute in DRRM and CCA towards a sustained and responsive research and extension engagement in the field. A close look at the cross-cutting issues embodied in the CCA Framework are Knowledge Management, Information, Education and Communication (IEC), and Gender and Development that can be part of the key activities to be done.
What difference would the MSU-IIT DRRM-CCA Center make from other existing DRRM and CCA of other institutions? Specific to Mindanao, the Center will integrate preparedness, response, rehabilitation and recovery anchored on peace, culture sensitivity, gender equity, and governance principles, among others. These can be easily carried out with the existing units and centers at the institute. Hence, the MSU-IIT DRRM-CCA Center possesses the capability to contribute to the vision of the Philippine Climate Change Framework: “A climate risk-resilient Philippines with healthy, safe, prosperous and self-reliant communities, and thriving and productive ecosystems.”
These twin functions of research and extension in the field of DRRM and CCA have become important resources of State Universities and Colleges as they respond to the challenges of a changing climate and increasing occurrences of natural hazards within their localities. As government encourages DRRM and CCA programs through the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and Climate Change Commission (CCC) Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2013-01 re, Guidelines in Tagging/Tracking Government Expenditures for Climate Change in the Budget Process including State Universities and Colleges, the research and extension functions of the Institute can be consolidated and oriented to respond to and fulfill this emergent demand.
The Mindanao Center for Resiliency
In order to deliver this timely and relevant interventions, a new Center which shall be called the Mindanao Center for Resiliency (MSU-IIT DRRM-CCA Center) is proposed. Under the MRC, the coordination, promotion, knowledge-generation, and the creation of relevant engagements with partner institutions in the field of DRRM and CCA shall be undertaken.
General Objectives. Among the general tasks of the Center are the following 1) to take the lead in consolidating and coordinating the existing research and extension efforts of the various units of the Institute towards sustainable and relevant programs; 2) to spearhead the promotion and propagation of disaster consciousness and preparedness in communities within and outside the Institute; 3) to serve as the repository and knowledge database and center of cutting edge and relevant DRRM and CCA for Mindanao and other environs; and 4) to establish linkages with other institutions engaged in DRRM and CCA work.
Proposed Organizational Structure and Functions. Operating under the general supervision of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension, the Center shall be headed by a designated coordinator who will oversee the DRRM-CCA specific research and extension programs of the various academic units, centers and offices, as well as linkages with partner academic, LGUs, national line agencies, and private institutions in the field.
Three committees in the areas of DRRM-CCA research, extension, and linkages composed ofdesignated faculty and staff from their respective units of the Institute shall comprise the working committees of the proposed center in the interim. Once the systems and internal expertise are developed, it is imagined that these tri-functions of research, extension, and linkaging will evolve into co-coordinator positions under the Center.