From left to right: Dean Rico C. Ancog of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) School of Environmental Science and Management; Climate Change Commission (CCC) Secretary Robert E.A. Borje; and Dr. Patricia Sanchez, Chairperson of the UPLB Interdisciplinary Studies Center for Water and member of the CCC National Panel of Technical Experts during the CCC’s visit to UPLB for the data collection relevant to the ongoing Masantol case study.
 

MANILA, 12 April 2022 — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) is eyeing closer collaboration on water resources management and data sharing with the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) as part of the CCC’s strategic partnership strengthening program with State Universities and Colleges (SUCs).
 
In his visit to the (UPLB) Interdisciplinary Studies Center for Water (ISCW), at the UPLB School of Environmental Science and Management (SESAM), CCC Secretary Robert E.A. Borje recognized the important role played by the academe and research institutions in “building national capacities for climate change adaptation and mitigation.”
 
“UPLB’s SESAM and ISCW are well placed to provide a deeper and fuller understanding of the Philippines’ water resources and the ways forward to use and manage them sustainably and harness them properly to support the country’s climate change action agenda,” said Secretary Borje.
 
Secretary Borje thanked Dr. Patricia Ann J. Sanchez, member of the National Panel of Technical Experts (NPTE) and Chairperson of UPLB’s ISCW, for sharing data on rainfall projections and other datasets pertinent to the work of the Commission, particularly on the ongoing development of a case study on flooding in Masantol, Pampanga.
 
“There is a compelling task for us to do more than what we are doing right now, especially [in] mainstreaming climate change and in harnessing local experience and expertise as we work to combat climate change.  As the lead agency in the formulation and coordination of relevant policies, the CCC looks to stronger partnerships with SUCs for science-based and data-based driven policy recommendations,” said Sec. Borje.
 
Underscoring the willingness of the ISCW to work with the CCC, Dr. Sanchez pointed out that the Center was providing key data that covers the whole Pampanga River Basin.
 
For his part, Dean and Professor of UPLB SESAM Dr. Rico C. Ancog welcomed Secretary Borje’s visit and said that UPLB looks forward to continuous engagement with the CCC in the field of research, extension and development projects on water and climate change.
 
“This is what we are doing, teaching and academic research. We're serious about doing good research, but we want this to be something, a platform that could be for a lifetime. One thing we can really provide is the more holistic research, so this is really a good start to support the work of the Climate Change Commission,” said Dr. Ancog.
 
Secretary Borje also highlighted the crucial role of the academe and research institutions in helping local government units better understand climate and disaster risks in order to formulate more appropriate plans of action in addressing climate change within their communities.
 
“This is only the start of what a stronger partnership should be in the next few years, not just on research, but also in the implementation of climate adaptation projects,” Sec. Borje affirmed.