Starting Point
Corazon Clarin has been a staunch advocate for disability rights since the 1980s. As the President of Cebu Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (Cebu DIDRR), an organisation representing women with disabilities, she recognised early on the pressing need to increase the inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities in all areas of society, particularly in emergency preparedness.
Peace Journey
Ms. Clarin’s advocacy became more critical after the devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) in 2013. Coming from Cordova, she witnessed the difficulties that people with disability had experienced during and after the onslaught of Typhoon Haiyan, especially those who are from Northern Cebu.
In 2015, Ms. Clarin participated in province-wide discussions to identify gaps and challenges faced by persons with disabilities during the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan. Since then, she has been an active and consistent partner in the Cebu DIDRR Network. This multi-stakeholder advocacy coalition is dedicated to advancing policies and actions that ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities in disaster risk reduction processes and structures.
The network has been recognised as one of the pioneering initiatives for disability-inclusive disaster-risk reduction (DRR) in the Philippines. Over the years, it has garnered significant attention at both the local and national levels, playing a pivotal role in advocating for the integration of inclusion principles into disaster preparedness and response. The network has emerged as the first in the country to strongly push for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in DDR frameworks, making it a trailblazer in this critical area of policy and advocacy.
In addition to her role as a network convener, Ms. Clarin leads a pool of trainers specialising in inclusive DRR. Together with the team of trainers, she has provided technical assistance to local government units (LGUs) across the province. Their work aims to create spaces and open entry points for the integration of an inclusive lens into DRR plans, ensuring that the needs and perspectives of persons with disabilities are taken into account in disaster risk management efforts. Ms. Clarins’ leadership and commitment have been instrumental in strengthening the inclusivity of disaster response and preparedness efforts, empowering communities to be more resilient and equitable in times of crisis.
Success Stories
Ms. Clarins is an advocate for disability rights who holds positions in both the public government and various socio-civic organisations. She pushed for more accessible and inclusive emergency plans that cater to the specific needs of people with disabilities. Her efforts have focused on raising awareness, advocating for policy change, and ensuring that persons with disabilities are not left behind in disaster preparedness and recovery processes.
She shifts public perception of persons with disabilities, showing they do not always need help and can contribute significantly to their families and communities during emergencies. She emphasised making persons with disability visible to public stakeholders and the importance of empowering them to participate fully and equally in society, articulate their voices, and most of all, become their own spokesperson.
The local initiatives of the Cordova government in Cebu, Philippines, serve as a good example of an LGU that communicates effectively with other key stakeholders and includes persons with disabilities as members of its government committees. The factors of success include disability awareness, leadership buy-in, and an ingrained cultural mindset that values diversity and adopts intersectional approaches. The Cordova LGU continuously works with persons with disabilities and ensures the protection of women and girls with disabilities during disasters and the pandemic.