Sector reps converge at Natl Confab on Climate Change
“Nobody on this planet is going to be untouched by the impacts of climate change.” -Rajendra K. Pachauri
Research think tanks, academicians, local government units, non-government institutions, and international aid agencies are set to converge in Asia’s Latin City, Zamboanga, on February 3 and 4, 2016 at the Garden Orchid Hotel for a national conference dubbed “Research in Changing Times: A National Conference on the Role of Research in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management.”
Hosted by the Ateneo de Zamboanga University(AdZU) through the Ateneo Research Center (ARC) and ADZU Phil-Lidar 1, the conference’s primary goal is to provide a venue for the sharing of research findings and best practices from different fields and industries in terms of prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response and rehabilitation to hazards brought about by climate change.
“It can no longer be denied. We are experiencing drastic environmental changes today – from extreme flash floods to critical water supply level that has lead the local government to put our city under a state of calamity,” says ARC Director Teresita G. Montano. “That is why it is important for us to address these impeding situations and act on them,” she added.
Dr. Enrico C. Paringit, Program Leader of the University of the Philippines’ Disaster Risk and Exposure Assessment for Mitigation (DREAM) Program, conference keynote speaker, will address the role of research and the local government in disaster risk reduction and management.
Other plenary speakers include, from government institutions: Dir. Romeo F. Fajardo, Civil Defense Deputy Administrator; Dr. Oscar Victor Lizardo, Chief Science Research Specialist, Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (Project-NOAH), and Engr. Sarah Jane D. Samalburo, Chief Science Research Specialist on Data Processing of DREAM Program, PHIL LIDAR 1-DOST.
From the academe, Dr. Rosa Perez of the Manila Observatory in Ateneo de Manila University,will speak on climate change-related hazards and their implications on water and food security; Engr Guada Calalang of Xavier University, an expert on Soil Reference System for Food Security; Engr. Dexter Lo who will relate the DRRM Experience of Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro City; and from local government, DrElmier E Apolinario who will share Zamboanga City’s challenges and response to disaster.
This national event is organized by AdZU’s Ateneo Research Center and ADZU Phil-Lidar 1, in coordination with the local government of Zamboanga City, and the Region IX offices of the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Civil Defense, Department of Tourism, and the Commission on Higher Education, which also endorsed the conference together with the Department of Education-IX & City Division Office and the Department of Interior of Local Government-IX.
