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Scientific Forum 2026 · Private Sector & Academe
Scientific Forum for the Private Sector and Academe
Forum in Iloilo City
EnterpriseClimateCommunityGrowthRisk
“Turning Foresight into Enabling Preparedness and Resilience amid the Threat of a Super El Niño”
- Date
- September 29, 2026
- Time
- 7:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Venue
- Belmont Hotel Iloilo, Iloilo City
In collaboration with
Belmont Hotel Iloilo · Daytano Ave., Iloilo Business Park, Mandurriao, Iloilo City
The forum
Turning foresight into preparedness, and preparedness into resilience
Turning Foresight into Enabling Preparedness and Resilience amid the Threat of a Super El Niño
Iloilo City has long used science to strengthen climate and disaster resilience, from post-Typhoon Frank assessments to Flood Summits and Science Fora. As extreme heat, intense rainfall, drought, and other climate risks intensify, the ICDRRMC is turning foresight into action through Project TRANSFORM. This forum — Turning Foresight into Enabling Preparedness and Resilience amid the Threat of a Super El Niño — will unite the local government unit, scientists, private sector, and academic institutions to better understand the “New Normal” and build a safer, more resilient Iloilo City.
Understand what makes risk worse
Identify exposure, vulnerability, and the impact of climate and non-climate hazards.
Spot residual risks
Recognize how development choices can unintentionally create or worsen future losses and damages.
Co-create solutions
Develop inclusive and transformative actions for a more resilient, sustainable Iloilo City.
Join the conversation on September 29, 2026 at Belmont Hotel Iloilo.
Register for the Scientific ForumProgram
A day shaped around the theme
Official scientific program for September 29, 2026 — registration opens at 7:00 AM at Belmont Hotel Iloilo.
- 7 AMOpening
Registration
- 8:30 AMOpening
Preliminaries
Preliminaries with master of ceremony Kenneth Lerona.
Speakers: Kenneth Lerona
- 9 AMOpening
Welcome Remarks
Welcome remarks by Hon. Raisa S. Treñas, Iloilo City Government.
Speakers: Hon. Raisa S. Treñas
- 9 AMKeynote
Keynote Address
Keynote address by Ma. Antonia Loyzaga, Special Envoy for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management.
Speakers: Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga
- 9 AMOpening
Photo Opportunity
- 9:30 AMPanel
Session 1: Climate and non-climate impact drivers for a coastal city facing a very strong El Niño
Panel and modified conversation moderated by Jessica Dator-Bercilla, Resilience Fellow, National Resilience Council.
Speakers: Dr. Rosa T. Perez · Dr. Charina Lyn Amedo-Repollo · Jessica Dator-Bercilla
- 10:30 AMDiscussion
Open Forum (Q and A)
- 10:45 AMSession
Session 2: Too Much or Too Little Water — a coastal city's development dilemma
What science is telling us and what we can do. With Dr. Rosa Perez, Senior Research Fellow, Manila Observatory (IPCC).
Speakers: Dr. Rosa T. Perez
- 11:45 AMDiscussion
Open Forum (Q and A)
- 12 PMBreak
Lunch
- 1:30 PMPanel
Session 3: Socio-economic ecosystem services — food-water-energy and maritime-based development
Panel and modified conversation moderated by Rhea Peñaflor, Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation, Inc., with representatives from SM Supermalls, JBLFMU, the Coast Guard District Western Visayas, and the IPCC.
Speakers: Engr. Liza Silerio · Capt. Jorge Aborde · Dr. Rosa T. Perez · Rhea Peñaflor
- 3 PMPanel
Session 4: Insights on risk and resilience in the face of too much or too little water in Iloilo City
Panel and modified conversation on energy demand fueling climate and disaster risks, moderated by Jessica Dator-Bercilla, Resilience Fellow, National Resilience Council.
Speakers: Ma. Luisa Segovia · Engr. Fulbert Woo · Mr. Angelo David Berba · Mr. Roel Z. Castro · Jessica Dator-Bercilla
- 3:30 PMDiscussion
Open Forum (Q and A)
- 4 PMDiscussion
Co-design huddles
Co-design huddles between private sector representatives.
- 4:30 PMClosing
Synthesis and Closing Ceremony
Speakers
Voices contributing to the forum
Meet the experts and voices contributing to the Scientific Forum — from the host city, climate science, ocean science, and disaster resilience.
01
Kenneth Lerona
Kenneth Lerona is the founder and president of Cornelius Magnate Engagement & Consulting.
02
Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga
Ms. Toni Yulo-Loyzaga is the former Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) of the Philippines and a leading figure in climate and disaster resilience.
03
Dr. Rosa T. Perez
Dr. Rosa T. Perez is an expert in climate change and disaster risk assessment and management, integrating climate science into policy and practice for vulnerable communities in developing regions.
04
Dr. Charina Lyn Amedo-Repollo
Dr. Charina Lyn Amedo-Repollo is a physical oceanographer whose research and advocacy focus on climate change impacts on the ocean, particularly marine heatwaves, coastal circulation, fisheries…
05
Engr. Liza Silerio
Ms. Liza Silerio is the Vice President for Corporate Compliance Group for SM Supermalls and Program Director for SM Environment and Sustainability with over 20 years of experience in Mall Operations.
06
Capt. Jorge Aborde
Capt. Jorge Aborde is a Licensed Master Mariner and maritime professional with 20 years of experience aboard international-going vessels.
07
Ma. Luisa Segovia
Marissa Segovia is a business leader, civic volunteer, and private-sector development advocate from Iloilo City.
08
Engr. Fulbert Woo
Engr. Fulbert Woo is a business leader, engineer, and community servant whose work is deeply rooted in service, leadership, and sustainable growth.
09
Mr. Angelo David Berba
Mr. Angelo David C. Berba is Chief Operating Officer of Metro Pacific Iloilo Water (MPIW) and Metro Iloilo Bulk Water Supply Corporation (MIB), bringing 21 years of leadership experience in the…
10
Mr. Roel Z. Castro
Mr. Roel Z. Castro is a business executive with over twenty years of leadership experience.
11
Jessica Dator-Bercilla
Ma'am Jec, as she is fondly called, is a recognized expert in climate and disaster resilience, particularly for coastal cities and small islands, with a strong focus on risk governance, co-beneficial…
12
Rhea Peñaflor
Rhea B. Peñaflor, LLB, MPSA, CSSWB currently serves as Programs and Development Division Head of Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation, Inc.
About the forum
One room. Two communities. A shared question of preparedness.
Iloilo City has long used science to strengthen climate and disaster resilience, from post-Typhoon Frank assessments to Flood Summits and Science Fora. As extreme heat, intense rainfall, drought, and other climate risks intensify, the ICDRRMC is turning foresight into action through Project TRANSFORM. This forum — Turning Foresight into Enabling Preparedness and Resilience amid the Threat of a Super El Niño — will unite the local government unit, scientists, private sector, and academic institutions to better understand the “New Normal” and build a safer, more resilient Iloilo City.
- Date
- September 29, 2026
- Time
- 7:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Asia/Manila)
- Venue
- Belmont Hotel IloiloDaytano Ave., Iloilo Business Park, Mandurriao, Iloilo City
Registration