“It’s very hard to come up with one but it is a challenge for us to have our own journal in CCA and DRRM…” This was the hope of Dr. Ricmar P. Aquino, the Isabela State University President and newly elected President of the International Organization on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction Management (IO-CCA/DRRM), during the closing ceremonies held at Marco Paulo Hotel in Cauayan City on October 24, 2018.
Dr. Aquino also hoped to accomplish at least half of the plans of the organization in his term as President.
On the other hand, Engr. Sancho A. Mabborang, Regional Director of the Department of Science and Technology R02, said that there is a need in the region to increase the adaptability and come up with strategies that will address such problems. “It’s about time to come up with infrastructures that will be able to adapt strong typhoons,” he said.
He also emphasized the important role of the academe, especially the State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), as a “portal ok knowledge, beacon of innovation, and source of strong human resource.”
Awarding of Best Paper and Poster was also held in which entry from ISU – Echague placed first Best Paper under the Climate—Responsive Watershed/River Basin Management category. Proponents of the said paper were Engr. Orlando M. Balderama, Ms. Lanie Alejo, Engr. Joeffrey Lloyd Bareng, and Sir Elmer Rosete. In the same category, the paper of Engr. Januel P. Floresca garnered second place.
On Climate Resilient Communities Category, the paper of Dr. Jose P. Gallena Jr., Dr. Joan A. Tomas, Ms. Ma. Rita A. Reario, and Ms. Melody Lim was awarded Second Place.
On the other hand, the poster of Engr. Orlando Balderama on his study “Modeling Hydrological and Erosion Hazards of Land Use and Climate Change using Swat in the Abuan Watershed Philippines” placed first.
The awarding ceremony was followed by the signing of the Co-operation Agreement between the Center of Excellence for Ocean Engineering at National Taiwan Ocean University (NTOU) and Water Research and Development Center at ISU.
Finally, Dr. Aquino administered the oath-taking of the new members of the International organization.
