The Green Initiative: Asian Institute of Management and Zonta Club of Makati Ayala Push for Climate Change Action
MAKATI CITY, PHILIPPINES – The Zonta Club of Makati Ayala, in partnership with the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) Executive Master in Disaster Risk and Crisis Management (EMDRCM), held The Green Initiative: Women Driving Climate Resilience Through Knowledge and Action, empowering participants to apply disaster risk management principles in real-world settings while advancing Zonta’s advocacy for women leadership.
Representing the EMDRCM students of AIM was Philippine Air Force Major Kevin Torrecampo, a member of the Executive Master in Disaster Risk and Crisis Management Cohort 2025B. In his welcome remarks, Major Kevin emphasized the importance of championing women empowerment, stating, “When women lead, resilience follows.”
The event was attended by past and present Zontians, including Zonta Club of Makati Ayala President, Rosemarie Custodio Basa, Zonta International Area 5 Director, Susan Dy Lim, and climate change ambassador, Mache Torres-Ackerman.
The first panel addressed the urgency of climate change and its wide-ranging impacts — on health, governance, weather patterns, and national security. The discussion particularly emphasized the effects of climate change in the Philippines, including extreme weather events such as El Niño and La Niña, which lead to loss of life, food insecurity, and displacement. The panel also noted that women and girls are disproportionately vulnerable to climate change impacts, as they often serve as primary caregivers in families and communities.
Led by EMDRCM students Atty. Jyn Aragon, MD, and Climate Change Commission Development Manager IV, Erwin Husmalaga, the session featured an esteemed panel of speakers: Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Director Elenida Basug; Department of Health Director, Ronald P. Law, MD; climate scientist, Dr. Rosa T. Perez; and EMDRCM Academic Program Director, Professor Chad Michael Briggs, PhD.
The second panel explored the vital roles of youth, young adults, and local government units (LGUs) in building climate resilience. It highlighted the value of positive youth development in raising awareness, strengthening preparedness, and promoting volunteerism during climate-related disasters. It also underscored the critical role LGUs play in disaster risk reduction, particularly at the grassroots level in rural and coastal areas.
Moderated by EMDRCM students Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines Deputy Executive Director, Atty. Blem Moro and DILG Calabarzon – City Local Government Operations Officer for Cabuyao, Laguna, Ms. Michiko Escalante, the panel featured: Municipal Mayor of Paranas, Samar, Atty. Eunice Uy-Babalcon, EMDRCM 2024; University of the Philippines Los Baños professor, Dr. Miriam Caryl Carada; and Zontians, Mache Torres-Ackerman and Susan Dy Lim.
Representatives for key sponsors also took the stage to share their organizations’ commitments to sustainable development and climate-aligned housing initiatives. The National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation and the Pag-IBIG Fund presented their efforts to support environmentally responsible housing solutions. Gelonie Grace Tabia Yap, Public Relations Manager for the Department of Transporation’s South Commuter Railway Project and EMDRCM 2024 alumna, emphasized the importance of developing smart and green public transportation systems.
The collaboration between the EMDRCM program of AIM and the Zonta Club of Makati Ayala exemplifies how academic knowledge can be transformed into purposeful civic engagement, especially through women-led leadership. This initiative effectively bridged classroom learning with real-world application, empowering leaders to put disaster risk management principles into action.
As the climate crisis intensifies, it is more important than ever to lead with purpose.
Click here to learn how the Executive Master in Disaster Risk and Crisis Management program can equip you with the skills to build resilient, sustainable communities.
