DBP, Phivolcs forge enhanced climate risk management partnership

The state-owned Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) has partnered with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) to integrate natural hazard data into its risk management and lending operations, bank officials announced.

Under the agreement, Phivolcs will provide DBP free access to its GeoRiskPH platform and the HazardHunterPH Pro application. The tools will allow the country’s ninth-largest bank to evaluate geohazard risks for loan collateral, investments, acquired assets and bank branch locations.

DBP president and chief executive officer Michael O. de Jesus said the integration will support evidence-based credit evaluations and safer investment decisions.

“We view this partnership with Phivolcs as a tangible manifestation of how government agencies can strengthen their collaboration and leverage shared expertise in advancing a safer, more resilient, and sustainable Philippines,”De Jesus said.

GeoRiskPH, a centralized government platform led by Phivolcs, provides real-time data and risk analysis for geohazard mapping and vulnerability assessments nationwide.

The two institutions will conduct joint capacity-building training across key bank departments, focusing on lending, branch banking, special assets and credit appraisal.

De Jesus added that the initiative strengthens institutional resilience while supporting economic development, particularly in rural areas.

DBP holds total assets of P1.041 trillion and focuses its credit support on four main sectors: infrastructure and logistics; micro, small and medium enterprises; the environment; and community development.