As Isabela State University envisions itself to be a leading research university, it enormously nurtures the research capabilities of its academic community through the conduct of 2022 University Research and Extension Symposium and Search for Best Research on November 8, 2022 at the De Venecia Hall of the University. This research endeavor aimed to evaluate individual research and development projects or studies and assess the overall status of R&D in the University. With this in mind, Dr. Ricmar P. Aquino, ISU President, Dr. Orlando F. Balderama, Vice President for Research and Development, Extension and Training, and Dr. Jeoffrey Lloyd R. Bareng, University Research Director, accentuated in their messages the crucial role that research plays as a mechanism in promoting local, regional, and national development, thereby putting emphasis on the research productivity of every faculty member in the University.
Similarly, Dr. Khagendra Bharambe also stressed, “research should come into practice for its contribution to the community…and be integrated by policymakers for appropriate strategies in their area.” To illustrate how science and empirical data are linked with policy and governmental interventions, Dr. Bharambe also shared his study on “Spatio-Temporal Impacts of Climate Change over the Cagayan River Basin, Philippines”. Specifically, he elucidated on climate change impacts on agriculture and economy and projected changes in global and the Philippines’ average temperature by 21st century. Likewise, he also gave prominence to the role of basic communication in managing water-related disaster risks resulting from climate change in the river basin scale.
After sharing to the academic community how ISU and Kyoto University collaborate on R&D initiatives for policy and program development, technology transfer, and knowledge sharing activities, Dr. Bharambe, together with Ms. Hikaru Moto and project staff of IFWARM project led by Dr. Balderama, headed to the flood-prone local communities in Ilagan, Isabela for the community survey. This intensified partnership with various stakeholders like Local Government Unit of the City of Ilagan, barangay officials, and residents of every barangay situates ISU at the frontline of the conveyance of effective integrated water resources management (IWRM) practices in the country.
Specifically, the project team administered questionnaires and interviewed the residents in areas at high risk for flood (i.e., Barangays Camunatan and Alinguigan 2nd) to capture how the local community participates in flood risk communication to alleviate climate-induced water hazards. With this point of departure, the international partners will have a solid ground where the appropriate flood mitigating measures come into the picture to help the local communities and the country, in general, vis-à-vis its overall response to hydroclimatic extreme events like flood and drought.
With the advancement of science and technology activities through the engagement of government agencies as well as academic and local communities, ISU unceasingly trailblazes a cutting-edge IWRM R&D Program for sustainable development in the Philippines and ASEAN region.
