The UPLB-Interdisciplinary Studies Center for Integrated Natural Resources and Environment Management (UPLB-INREM) facilitated a panel session on Climate Information Services (CIS) in Agriculture on Aug. 10-11, 2023 at the University of the Philippines Bonifacio Global City Campus in Taguig City
The event was held during the “Developing Climate Information Services in Health and Agriculture under a One Health Approach: Exploring Areas of Convergence for a Whole of Government Intervention” Conference.
Dr. Juan Pulhin, chair of UPLB-INREM and project leader of the Integration of Traditional and Modern Bioproduction Systems for a Sustainable and Resilient Future Under Climate and Ecosystems Changes (ITMoB) project, facilitated the panel discussion with Dr. Maricel Tapia-Villamayor as moderator on Aug 10.
At the beginning of the panel session, Pulhin discussed the use of CIS in a landscape through an integrated ridge-to-reef ecosystem-based approach with the context on the nexus between climate change impacts and agriculture.
Land use practices impact the health of agricultural ecosystems and resilience to climate change.
Dr. Pulhin also emphasized the need for more CIS strategies to address slow onset events that require tailored fit approaches for vulnerable farmers and fisherfolks.
He highlighted the significance of anticipatory and transformative actions in climate change’s irreversible and cascading impacts, integration and accessibility of CIS for all users, and bridging science-based decision-making to local stakeholders.
The presentation also included important findings and recommendations from the IPCC 6th Assessment Report Working Group II to undercore the role of CIS in promoting science-based adaptation. Dr. Pulhin is one of the lead authors of the said IPCC assessment report.
Panel discussion
The panelists who come from diverse disciplines and institutions engaged in in-depth discussions and shared practical experiences related to CIS.
Alicia Ilaga, director of the Department of Agriculture-Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative for Agriculture (DA-AMIA), focused on farmers as she highlighted CIS’s importance as a starting point for anticipatory action and adaptation.
Dr. Orlando Balderama, vice president for research and extension of Isabela State University, emphasized approaches like water resource planning and urban management tied to CIS.
Hazel Tanchuling, executive director of Rice Watch Action Network, used climate data for LGU plans and farmer warnings while Christina Ponce-Garcia, assistant vice president of Nestle Philippines, said that they aimed for GHG reduction and the potential for vulnerable coffee farmers with CIS and GIZ collaboration.
The accessibility of CIS differs across regions and sector; and while engaging local government units (LGUs) is crucial, it requires a significant investment of time and effort.
The panel discussion was organized by the South-South Collaboration on Climate Information Services (SSCIS) Project of the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.
ITMoB Technical Working Group participation
Members of the ITMoB Technical Working Group from Pagsanjan-Lumban Watershed led by Marlon Tobias, Laguna provincial agriculturist, together with municipal agriculturists/technicians from Cavinti, Lumban, Majayjay, and Magdalena, also participated in the conference to gain insights and develop their knowledge in mainstreaming science-based decision-making through the application of CIS in agriculture.
On Aug 11, Marlon Tobias gave a presentation on their LGU’s knowledge, practices, and reflections on ‘Using CIS to Inform Policies for Agriculture and Climate Change.’
He shared how the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist disseminates weather and climate information to farmers and their climate-resilient agriculture practices.
He also emphasized the LGU’s collaborative partnership with UPLB INREM through the ITMoB project in working towards achieving a sustainable and resilient future under climate and ecosystem changes.
Around 100 participants from the health and agriculture fields in national and local government, academia, and the private sector attended the conference.
Dr. Jose Camacho, Jr., UPLB chancellor, represented by Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs Roberto Cereno delivered the closing remarks expressing his support for developing CIS in the Philippines as one of the keys to build climate resilience for the future.
The ITMoB project, implemented by the UPLB-INREM with funding by the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development, will run from Oct 16, 2021 to Oct 15, 2024.
The two-day conference was co-organized by UPLB-INREM and the UP-National Institutes of Health. Aside from Dr. Pulhin and Dr. Villamayor, UPLB-INREM delegates included Dr. Rose Jane Peras, Aileen S. Peria, Laizha Lynn C. Lomente, and Dr. Roberto Figueroa, Jr. (Laizha Lynn C. Lomente, Aileen S. Peria, Farah Y. Sevilla; Photo credits to GIZ Philippines)