The Oscar M. Lopez Center for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management Foundation, Inc. (OML Center) was founded by Mr. Oscar M. Lopez to support the generation of science and technology needed for building resilient communities. It was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as a non-stock, non-profit corporation on June 21, 2012. It was established to address the challenges climate change brings. Today, the Foundation was able to develop climate risk information, promote science-based innovation and harness networks that support resilience thru research and innovations, research grants, translation, partnerships and communications. It is a corporate foundation engaged in Science and Technology. It initiated climate-related studies including the awarding of research and thesis grants on the said subject. Its main office is located at 6th Floor, Rockwell Business Center, Tower 3, Ortigas Ave., Ugong, Pasig City. The foundation has 10 regular staff, 5 project-based staff, and 11 members of the Board of Trustees (1 vacant position).
Its purposes (V-M-G), among others, are “A resilient society, able to cope and prosper in the midst of climate-related risks and disasters; to enhance climate disaster resilience communities through science, innovation and networks; to support focused and science-based efforts to develop innovative solutions to mitigate the risks and impacts of climate change and geo-hazards to assist government initiatives and programs; to initiate the development of a Philippine interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral network of researchers, academics and practitioners to enhance the understanding and prediction of climate change and geo-hazard impacts; and to strengthen linkages with the national and local government to facilitate capacity building in the delivery risk mitigation solutions to reduce the impact of climate change and geo-hazards”.
The Foundation’s programs focused on the following areas: 1) Resilience Grants Program (awarded to projects that will develop localized and impact-driven knowledge and tools for climate change adaptation and disaster risk management); 2) Research and Innovation Program (supports the thrusts of the Center primarily through co-production, translation and promotion of knowledge and practical solutions focused on developing climate resilience); 3) Partnerships Program (an organized and systematic approach to identifying, mapping and acquiring strategic partners and development of opportunities for the active engagement of the Center’s key stakeholders); and 4) Communications and Outreach Program (development of verbal and visual identity of Center and its messages for recognition, engagement and reinforcement).
