Eight delegates from Philippine HEIs participated in the International Summer Course Program for Agriculture and Ecosystem Resilience to Environmental Disaster toward Regional Sustainability, jointly organized by IPB University and Ibaraki University from 11-20 September 2022 in Bogor, Indonesia. The International Continuing Professional Education (ICPE) Grants of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) through the Leveling-Up Philippine Higher Education Institutions in Agriculture, Fisheries, and Natural Resources (LevelUPHEI AFAR) Project of SEARCA supported the faculty members as they presented their research studies to the international participants. The grant enables members of the State Universities and Colleges - Association of Colleges of Agriculture in the Philippines (SUC-ACAP) to participate in activities organized by members of the Southeast Asian University Consortium for Graduate Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC), where IPB University is a founding member.
The International Summer Course Program aimed to provide an understanding of regional sustainability through multifaced research on disaster prevention and agricultural and ecosystem resilience from disaster and social-technology disruption. The program was also designed to promote talents that could identify problems and develop solutions independently. It combined lectures and discussions on environmental conservation and management, GIS and remote sensing, and biophysical and socio-cultural dimensions of climate change adaptation. As part of the active learning component of the summer program, the participants also conducted on-site observation and evaluation of different types of agroecosystems. They visited Seribu Island, Desa Wisata Malasari/Gunung Halimun Salak National Park, Pulo Geulis, and Bogor Botanical Garden.
Representing Central Luzon State University (CLSU), Mr. Jairus Jesse M. Tubal from the College of Agriculture shared his study on “Impacts of Climate Change on the Tilapia Value Chain from Cage Culture in Luzon, Philippines.” Engr. Eliza E. Camaso from the College of Engineering presented her work on “Vulnerability Assessment of Agricultural Resources in Santa Rosa, Nueva Ecija, Philippines.” Mr. Daryl A. Juganas and Engr. Lea S. Caguiat, both from the Institute for Climate Change and Environmental Management, presented “Adaptation Strategies for Resiliency and Disaster Risk Management in Selected Coastal Municipalities of Zambales, Philippines” and “Spatial and temporal trend analysis of reference evapotranspiration in Central Luzon, Philippines,” respectively. Engr. Caguiat was recognized with the Best Poster Award, and Mr. Tubal won second place for the Best Oral Presentations.
The University of the Philippines Los Baños’ (UPLB) delegates include Ms. Liezl B. Grefalda who presented "Building Institutional Resilience in the context of Climate Change in Aurora, Philippines," and Ms. Rhiz C. Manarpaac who presented the “International Risk Governance Council Framework: Climate Risk Governance in the Municipality of Baler, Aurora, Philippines.” Ms. Grefalda, who won third place for Best Presenter, and Ms. Manarpaac, who won third place for the Best Student Poster, are both from the Department of Social Forestry and Forest Governance, College of Forestry and Natural Resources. Ms. Clarissa G. Lontoc, from the School of Environmental Science and Management, likewise shared her study on “Estimation of The Recreational Value of Rehabilitated Coral Reef Sites in Boracay, Philippines Using Travel Cost Method.”
Mr. Harvey A. Dulay, Director for Research, represented Marinduque State College (MSC) and shared about the “Production of tomato, eggplant, and long pepper using coco fiber-based planter box (CPB) under deficit irrigation." Before this summer program, Mr. Dulay attended a three-week Training Program on Applications of Plant Biotechnology for Crop Improvement at Kasetsart University’s Kamphaeng Saen Campus in Thailand through the LevelUPHEI AFAR project. KU is another founding member university of the UC.
SEARCA continues to facilitate funding support for faculty and staff members from SUC-ACAP universities for various activities by the UC such as one-month to one semester mobilities, attendance at conferences, and training programs. To apply, email
