CAMOTES ISLAND, Cebu, Philippines — Following its recent international recognition as the 2011 United Nations Sasakawa Awardee for Disaster Risk Reduction last May, the municipality of San Francisco in this island is set to become a learning hub for disaster risk reduction by sharing its experiences in winning the prestigious award.

San Francisco Vice-Mayor Alfredo Arquillano Jr. said the town has already created a disaster risk reduction center to assist towns interested in learning from their experiences.

“We welcome everyone interested to learn from us as this was one of my commitments after receiving the award,” he said.

Arquillano said the successful implementation of "Purok System” ordinance made them win the international recognition because it is community-driven and thus, empowers people down to the barangay level.

He said the ordinance has pushed the town to become resilient, utilizing indigenous knowledge to disseminate critical information and risk assessment, waste segregation, delivery of health services and related activities at the household level.

Arquillano said he has an invitation from the Sri Lankan government to share his town’s experience in disaster risk reduction as Sri Lanka is getting ready to launch its own risk reduction program soon.