Digital tools that cater to the needs of the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and will guide them in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters are now available in Tagalog.

Recognizing the significant role of MSMEs in the overall disaster resilience of the country, the Philippine Preparedness Partnership (PhilPrep) has developed these tools, including the business continuity capability checklist and the disaster risks and needs assessment tool.

The former aims to help MSME owners and managers how to self-accomplish the business continuity capability and readiness assessment checklist.

For those with an existing business continuity plan (BCP), the tool will serve as an internal audit and quality check regarding the contents, processes, procedures, and protocols observed by MSMEs in ensuring business continuity amid the aftermath of a disaster.

While for MSMEs that do not have an existing BCP, the checklist will help them assess their readiness to come up with their own BCP.

PhilPrep said it will also serve as a menu of protocols, procedures, and processes that they can adopt if these are not existing in the organization.

On the other hand, the Disaster Risks and Disaster Preparedness Needs Assessment Checklist is designed to provide a tool that MSMEs can use to measure their vulnerability to disaster risks and to ascertain
their own needs in terms of knowledge, skills, and resources to avoid, reduce, or mitigate the impacts of disasters in their businesses.

The tool has four components, namely vulnerability assessment based on location, perceived likelihood of disaster risks, pre-disaster needs assessment inventory, and perceived likelihood of impacts.

Results of these components may be used as MSMEs craft their disaster preparedness plan, as well as their BCP.

Meanwhile, PhilPrep is the localized tripartite platform of the Asian Preparedness Partnership, represented by the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, Office of Civil Defense, and the Center for
Disaster Preparedness, with the support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Asian Disaster Preparedness Center, and UP Resilience Institute.