The International Organization on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction Management, Inc. (IO-CCA-DRRM) Members’ Meeting was held on June 6, 2022 at 3:00 PM (Philippine Standard Time) via Zoom platform to discuss matters on organizational arrangements, IO-CCA-DRRM Office inauguration, Stakeholder Forum on Integrated Flood Risk Management in Cagayan River Basin in July 2022, and the conduct of International Conference in November 2022. Among those who participated were Dr. Tetsuya Sumi and Dr. Sameh Ahmed Kantoush from Kyoto University, Dr. Kwan Tun Lee from National Taiwan Ocean University, Dr. Pham Hong Nga from Thuy Loi University, Prof. Kent from National Taiwan University, Dr. Doan Van Binh from Vietnamese-German University, Mr. Ryan Viado from the Office of Civil Defense, Mr. Ed Fugoso from the Office of the Undersecretary for Regional Operations, Mr. Nobuyuki Ichihara from Japan Water Agency, and Deputy Minister Sancho Mabborang from the Department of Science and Technology.
Primarily, Dr. Ricmar P. Aquino, Isabela State University President, informed the body that the international organization has already been incorporated under the Securities and Exchange Commission of the Philippines; thus, the organization is already expected to have all the privileges, including the organization of conferences and conduct of joint R&D projects. Moreover, Dr. Orlando F. Balderama, Vice President for Research and Development, Extension and Training, acknowledged the support of Dr. Aquino in the construction of the organization’s office which will be inaugurated on the last day of the proposed stakeholder forum, July 16, 2022, with Dr. Sameh Kantoush, Dr. Tetsuya Sumi, and partners from Japan Water Agency. Afterward, he presented the concept note on Stakeholder Forum on Integrated Flood Risk Management in Cagayan River Basin. He specifically elucidated the details regarding the forum such as the theme, date, organizers, participating agencies, background, objectives, target participants, and tentative program.
After the presentation, Dr. Aquino requested for the inclusion of the Department of Science and Technology as a co-organizer through the Office of the Deputy Minister for Regional Operations. Likewise, Dr. Kantoush suggested for the modification of the proposal to include the presentation of several agencies (DPWH, DOST, DENR, and NIA) as stakeholders about their current activities and respective contributions about flood and sediment management on the first and second days of the proposed undertaking.
Furthermore, Dr. Isagani P. Angeles, the University Director for Public Affairs and External Linkages of ISU, also presented the draft proposal for the 2nd International Conference on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction Management in November 2022. He explicated the details of the activity such as the organizers or sponsors, theme, date, venue, rationale, topics, goals, objectives, expected outputs, conference design and brochure, and expected participants. After which, Dr. Balderama informed the group of the launching of the website during the inauguration on July 16, 2022, since the registration for the proposed international conference will be done through the website. Other points of discussion were focused on the conference theme, special session for the APN Project, and publication of research outputs at the international conference. Finally, Dr. Aquino ended the meeting by conveying his expectation regarding the participation of the organization members from Japan, Vietnam, and Taiwan in the stakeholder forum this July.
