The Isabela State University (ISU) partners with other universities in Asia to revitalize the Science-Community-Government-Academe collaboration by founding the International Organization on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction Management Inc. or the IO-CCA/DRRM. This will create a link between the scientists, the community, and the decision-makers. The association aims to promote the integration of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction management, environmental awareness, and mitigation. It was presented to the ISU Board of Regents and was approved on April 22, 2021. It is now being processed for registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the Philippines.
The IO-CCA/DRRM shall provide technical assistance in the development of disaster-resilient river basins and communities, allowing them to serve as best-practice models for disaster risk reduction and management. In close collaboration with the community and stakeholders, the association will help solve environmental challenges in river basins and communities. It will foster ethical leadership by knowing, comprehending, and considering the core values of its members. Moreover, it will forge a strong partnership among academic, government, communities, and industries on common platforms and goals, and it shall be non-sectarian, non-partisan and non-political.
The organization’s major activities include hosting a bi-annual International Conference on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction Management in water resources and river basin management and publishing a Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction Management international peer-reviewed journal.
The first international members are from Kyoto University (Japan), Thuyloi University (Vietnam), Vietnamese-German University (Vietnam), National Taiwan University (Taiwan), and National Taiwan Ocean University (Taiwan), while initial national membership comes from the Department of Science and Technology, National Irrigation Administration, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Office of Civil Defense, and the Isabela State University. Dr. Ricmar P. Aquino, President of ISU, was elected as the First President of IO-CCA/DRRM and ISU Echague will be the host and base office of the association.
