The UPLB Interdisciplinary Studies Center for Integrated Natural Resources and Environment Management (UPLB-INREM), in partnership with Isabela State University (ISU), organized an 18-day program to build the capacity of Isabela’s agriculture and fisheries stakeholders in using Climate Information Services (CIS).

The capacity-building initiative, held from March 11 to 18, 2025, aimed to enhance climate resilience in the province’s agriculture and fisheries sectors by equipping local stakeholders with scientific knowledge and practical tools for effectively using CIS. 

INREM and ISU developed the program in response to the needs identified through a comprehensive capacity needs assessment (CNA) conducted by the project team led by INREM’s founding director, Dr. Juan M. Pulhin.

Two-phase learning approach

The training adopted a flipped learning model, combining online and onsite components to maximize engagement and knowledge retention. 

Flipped learning, a form of blended education, shifts traditional lectures to independent learning time, allowing for more dynamic, application-focused interactions during in-person sessions.

In the first phase, LGU participants completed an online course covering the fundamentals of climate science and the impacts of climate change on agriculture and fisheries. 

The second phase, consisting of workshop sessions held onsite at ISU’s Echague campus from March 26 to 28,  brought together over 250 participants, including farmers, fisherfolk, ISU faculty members, representatives of local government units (LGUs), state universities and colleges (SUCs), national government agencies ( NGAs), and international development partners such as the German International Cooperation Society or GIZ.

Collaborative knowledge-sharing and skill-building

Participants engaged in intensive sessions led by experts from UPLB-INREM, the Climate Change Commission, PAGASA, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of Agriculture, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, and other key institutions. 

The learning session covered topics such as understanding climate science and the CIS landscape in the Philippines; the CIS institutional landscape and policy directions: the roles of SUCs, NGAs, and LGUs; and real-world applications of Climate Services with case studies across different sectors.

It also included Hands-On Training on Accessing and Interpreting CIS Tools and Portals—a program highlighted for its practical relevance—and a Workshop on Co-Designing a Regional Community of Practice (CoP) for CIS Delivery in Region II.

Breakout group discussions allowed participants to identify key challenges and opportunities in integrating CIS into local development planning, research, and extension systems.

Strong positive reception and long-term impact

Post-training evaluations reflected overwhelmingly positive feedback, with participants saying the program was relevant and had deep and practical applications. They also highly evaluated the quality of the resource speakers and the interactive, solutions-focused format of the sessions. 

The event also served as a valuable platform for peer learning, cross-sectoral collaboration, and exchange of ideas and best practices.

CIS is a critical tool in disaster preparedness and climate adaptation. It provides time-sensitive, science-based information to support decision-making in farming and fisheries. 

The training will empower stakeholders to mainstream CIS into local governance and development strategies by building technical and institutional capacity across sectors.

Part of a larger climate resilience initiative

This capacity-building initiative is part of the project, “Modelling CIS Application in the Agriculture and Fisheries Sector through Tripartite Collaborations (of SUC-NGA-LGU) in Region II, Northern Philippines,” supported by GIZ under the Towards a South-South Collaboration on Climate Information and Services (SSCIS) initiative.

 The team is composed of Dr.  Juan M. Pulhin, project leader; Dr. Maricel T. Villamayor and Dr. Orlando F. Balderama, assistant project leaders; and project staff members Aileen C. Simondac-Peria, Dr. Rose Jane J. Peras, Dr. Roberto B. Figueroa Jr., Dr. Isagani P. Angeles Jr., Dr. Lanie A. Alejo, Marielle R. Baliwag, and Ma. Louiella Rose O. Catudio. 

Dr. Peter Jerome Del Rosario, a faculty member at the College of Forestry and Natural Resources, along with UPLB-INREM staff Kaymart Gimutao and Regine Joy Evangelista, joined the project team during the activity.

As the project nears its end in May 2025, UPLB-INREM and its partners aim to continue building on strategic partnerships and integrated capacity development. 

The goal is to institutionalize climate-informed decision-making, paving the way for a more adaptive and resilient agricultural sector in Isabela and Cagayan Valley.