5th ECOP MGM , Members General Meeting:

ECOP ( Employers Confederation of the Philippines) in Partnership with ILO International Labor Organization and Pru life UK hold a one workshop about " Developing Strategies for Disaster Resilient Workplaces", with a special guest lecturer  from the Business New Zealand and Chairperson of Business & Advisory Committee to the OECD .

Mr. Phil O' Reilly , Chief Executive from Business New Zealand  shared his profound, on hands practical experience " how representatives business organizations can play a role in responding to Crisis : the New Zealand experience".

From the 6.32 magnitude of earthquake which obliterated the Christchurch NZ, last Feb. 4, 2012 there were four reasons  that business community learned: "that business private organization could be of good used for disaster  response , rehab and reconstruction", that " private and public organization  part co existence ,tandem in the rebuilding efforts in NZ", "working for disaster posed for better and stronger relationship between public and private institutions".

Major outcomes of the strong commitment  and relationship in both private and public resulted to a 80 percent success in rebuilding efforts of all 35 000 business registered in Christchurch NZ. Despite of the exodus of businesses to suburb areas the out come of the disaster , at least major operations continued . Many of these business establishment were given financial support by the banking and financial realm in NZ. Most of the these traumatised business entity have been in operation today.

The disaster were not all problems to solve . But it could provide opportunities to a most creative enterprising entity. The opportunity and business to rebuild . There will be massive work in the recruitment and retention  inventory of human resources. Workers accommodation  would be a phenomenal business .

Mr. Philip O' Reilly , candidly response to a question during the forum, that ultimately a business in  a shut down operation is a disaster that should be managed well. Outweighing the repercussion of massive lay out , unemployment if one company will force to shut down cause by the natural disaster is not good for the ailing economy. In NZ, all financial intermediaries knows their own role in society as financial conduit of business private enterprises. Banks comes into succour  in times of need , which have been very cooperative in providing soft loans to a disaster stricken community small and medium enterprises.


Henry Estipona
Philippines