
On 10 January 2025, Isabela State University (ISU), in collaboration with the UPLB Interdisciplinary Studies Center for Integrated Natural Resources and Environment Management (UPLB-INREM), inaugurated a new Sub-National Competence Center (SNCC) for Climate Information Services (CIS).
The facility aims to enhance climate resilience in the agriculture and fisheries sectors of Region II in the northern Philippines.
The launch marked a significant historical step toward strengthening climate resilience in Region II and equipping local farmers, fishers, and stakeholders with vital science-based tools to tackle climate challenges.
This initiative is part of the “Modelling CIS Application in Agriculture and Fisheries through Tripartite Collaborations in Region II, Northern Philippines,” a 2-year project of UPLB-INREM and ISU, which aimed to develop a framework to support farming and fishing communities adapting to climate change.
Over 200 stakeholders attended the event, including members of a Community of Practice (CoP) in CIS for agriculture and fisheries and partners from various state universities and colleges (SUCs) in Region II, regional offices of government agencies, and local government units (LGUs).
It featured 17 presentations and speeches by honored guests, including Dr. Ricmar Aquino, president of ISU; Dr. Nicole Kranz, GIZ Climate Cluster coordinator; Executive Director Robert Borje of the Climate Change Commission (CCC); and Romell Cuenca, deputy executive director of CCC.
Local government representatives and community leaders, such as Municipal Counselors Roher Ballad (Echague) and Paolo Eleazar Delmendo (Cauayan), also expressed their commitment to the project.
Responses from PO representatives were given by Vivian Taniza of the Cagayan Valley Fish Farmers Cooperative in San Mateo, Isabela, and the president of the Ligaya Irrigators Association, Jaime Facunia.
These organizations benefit from ISU’s science-based information to better cope with climate change challenges.
The ceremony included the unveiling of two markers, which immortalize ISU’s official designation as the SNCC, and a tour of the refurbished training center.
The event also included learning sessions on topics like climate projections using the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6) of PAGASA, the Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture Village (AMIA Village) of the Department of Agriculture, and the People’s Survival Fund of CCC. It also featured a presentation of the project’s CIS website featuring a data analytics dashboard and a lecture on CIS in relation to narratives and storytelling.
The day concluded with a synthesis by Dr. Maricel Villanueva and closing remarks by Jimmy Loro, chief adviser of the South-South Collaboration on CIS.
At the event, Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) was also officially launched as the SNCC for Health on November 4, 2024.
Health practitioners from Region 1 were invited to strengthen networks and foster linkages with MMSU and other CoP members.
This initiative aims to support the implementation of the University’s Sustainability Plans, including opportunities for future research collaborations.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) was officially launched as a Center of Excellence (CoE) for CIS on January 17, 2025.
The CoE is designed to serve as a hub for exchanging CIS knowledge, disseminating peer-reviewed research, and sharing best practices. It will also be a central coordination site for CIS-related data and research.
Notable guests witnessed the unveiling of the South-South CoE marker, including His Excellency Mathias Kruser, deputy head of mission of the German Embassy; Inka Gnittke, deputy director-general of the German Federal Environment Ministry; Secretary of Science and Technology Renato U. Solidum, Jr.; and Dr. Marcelino Q. Villafuerte II, PAGASA Deputy Administrator. UPLB-INREM was represented by Dr. Maricel Tapia and Aileen C. Simondac-Peria.
During the soft launch, GIZ and the ASEAN University Network on Ecological Education and Culture signed a Memorandum of Understanding. This partnership aims to foster CIS knowledge exchange and collaboration among ASEAN learning institutions through conferences and other knowledge-sharing initiatives. (Ma. Louiella Rose Catudio, Marielle Baliwag, Aileen Simondac-Peria)