Israel Holds Homeland Security Business Forum in Manila

The Israel Embassy in Manila together with the Ministry of Industry of Israel with the support of The Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute (IEICI) conducted a Business Forum on Homeland Security (HLS) last July 15, 2014 (Tuesday) at the New World Hotel Makati.

A Press Conference was held before the event and Israeli Ambassador Menashe Bar On, Deputy Chief of Mission Mr. Adam Levene, Defense Attache Col. Shai Brovender, Head of Economic and Trade Mission to the Philippines, Mr. Doron Hemo and Dr. Ephraim Laor were among the panelists.

Opening remarks was given by Israeli Ambassador Menashe Bar On and Deputy Chief of Mission, Mr. Adam Levene shared his first-hand experience on helping the people of Bogo City, Cebu just 96 hours after Typhoon Yolanda hit.

Israel’s Head of Economic and Trade Mission to the Philippines, Mr. Doron Hemo shared that this conference is a pre-event for the planned Philippine participation in the 3rd International Conference on Homeland Security in Tel Aviv, Israel and he is calling on the government and private sector to participate as this would explore endless possibilities in the military industries of both countries.

Israel’s Head of Economic and Trade Mission to the Philippines, Mr. DoronHemo, Deputy Chief of Mission Mr. Adam Levene, Ambassador Menashe Bar On, Defense Attache Col. ShaiBrovender& Dr. Ephraim Laor. (Contributed Photo)

Israel’s Defense Attache, Col. Shai Brovender, Disaster Risk Management Expert Dr. Efraim Laor, Israel’s former intelligence attache to DC and Canada, Mr. Jonan Klorin and Israel Aerospace Industries Director for International Marketing Mr. Ron Niezni were among the lecturers. They stated during the conference that when Israel prepares for a disaster, they take into account the worst possible scenarios such as anticipating casualties as high as 16,000 people. They also have satellites that can scan an entire region wherein areas of major devastation are identified in disasters such as forest fires and thunderstorms.

Israel has always been at the forefront of advanced technology and have used to their advantage the “cloud” or internet. They have used these resources to their advantage by helping them identify areas which can be used as evacuation centers and landing strips for helicopters and planes to bring humanitarian assistance to those in need.

From the Philippine government, Department of Transportation & Communications Undersecretary Mr. Jose Perpetuo Lotilla and National Security Council Undersecretary and Deputy Director General Vicente Agdamag shared with the audience the different challenges the Philippines is facing specifically with disaster preparedness and the government is doing everything in its power to address these issues and one way of doing was improving the technology of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical & Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Over 100 guests attended the event and among them was Manila City Vice-Mayor Isko Moreno.

Photo above: Deputy Chief of Mission Mr. Adam Levene, DOTC USec. Jose Lotilla, Ambassador Menashe Bar On, USec. Vicente Agdamag, ICCP Chairman Emiratus Mr. Ferdie Sarfati & Israel’s Head of Economic and Trade Mission to the Philippines, Mr. Doron Hemo. (Contributed Photo)