s the Stakeholders Forum on Integrated Flood Risk Management in Cagayan River Basin advances, numerous dignitaries from the Japan Water Agency (JWA), Japan-ASEAN Science, Technology and Innovation Platform (JASTIP), Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST)-PCIEERD, Asia-Pacific Network (APN) for Global Change Research, and Water Research and Development Center, as well as top-level political leaders of the Province of Isabela served as resource speakers during its kickoff on July 14, 2022.
In essence, Mr. Akinobu Nishida, a dignitary from JWA, explicated the concepts of integrated water resource management in river basins. Specifically, he introduced the role of the Japan Water Agency in the enhancement of people’s lives and its economic development. He also explained that the concept of IWRM emerged in response to increasing pressures on water resources from frictions among various users for a limited resource, the recognition of ecosystem requirements, pollution, and the risk of water availability due to climate change.
Moreover, Prof. Tetsuya Sumi, an academician from Kyoto University and notable at JASTIP, accentuated various work plans for Japan-Philippines collaboration in the Cagayan River Basin. He highlighted several projects for 2020-2025, the challenges on dams in the 21st century, dam asset transfer to the next generation, Japan’s situation of dam’s flood control, pre-release operation practices, and the target basins and research groups. He even emphasized, “Japan will proactively contribute to the solution of water-related social issues faced by the Asia-Pacific region by developing “quality infrastructure” capitalizing on Japan’s advanced technologies…and public-private partnerships, and fostering digitization and innovation to solve social issues as a growth engine for sustainable development and the formation of a resilient society and economy.”
To expand the international ventures of the stakeholders, a ceremonial MOU signing between the Japan Water Agency and Cagayan River Basin Management Council has been conducted to seal the forged partnership. As the series of activities unfold, Dr. Enrico C. Paringit, Executive Director of DOST-PCIEERD, represented by Engr. Nonilo A. Peňa, Chief SRS of EUSTDD, discussed the “Philippine’s Water Resource Management Climate Resilient Infrastructure Initiative Program.” He detailed the various Science and Technology interventions that their agency adopts which revolved around surveys, monitoring, and assessment, planning and management, and water technologies and infrastructure.
Furthermore, Prof. Sameh Ahmed Kantoush, Leader of Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research Project, elucidated the topic “Flood Mitigation and Risk Communication under Successive Typhoons at Cagayan River Basin in the Philippines (DPRI International Collaborative Research Project).” Likewise, he expounded flood control dams scenarios as well as integrated approach for risk communication and reduction as a way forward.
To update the stakeholders regarding the case of the Philippines, Dr. Lanie A. Alejo, Director of Water Research and Development Center, ISU, expounded the topic “Integrated Flood and Water Resources Management Research and Development in the Cagayan River Basin.” She presented the CRB baseline information, various water management sectors, water-related disasters in the basin, and numerous schematic frameworks for integrated flood, sediment, and water resources management, as well as the research projects’ accomplishments.
As a conclusion of the opening ceremony of the stakeholders forum, Mr. Kazumi Sasaki of Japan Water Agency explained the protocol on discharge pre-release of dams in Japan. He also illustrated certain responses to recent abnormal rainfalls/floods and pre-flood drawdown. To this end, the multiagency information exchange serves as an avenue for the formulation of plans for institutional collaboration on research, development, capacity-building, technology transfer, and knowledge-sharing activities.
