LEYTE, Philippines — Every year, more than 20 typhoons visit the country, making our communities susceptible to hazards like flooding. Beyond the damage this poses to the country's agricultural resources, it also makes lives at risk due to these hazards.

With this challenge in mind, a research team from the Visayas State University (VSU) in Baybay City, Leyte produced hazard and resource maps for about 40 municipalities and cities from the provinces of Leyte, Southern Leyte, Samar, Eastern Samar, and Northern Samar.

The Philippine Light Detection and Ranging (Phil-LiDAR) research project started in 2014, initiated by the University of the Philippines Diliman’s Disaster Risk and Exposure Assessment for Mitigation (DREAM) Program.

The program, funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), rolled out nationwide by partnering with higher education institutions in different regions as partners.

VSU led the implementation for Eastern Visayas.

Read more: VSU turns over flood hazard, resource maps to Eastern Visayas towns

Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija ― Over 70 farmer-members of the Bantug Primary Multi-Purpose Cooperative (PMPC) learned about the best practices in climate change adaptation and nutrient management in rice production in a farmers’ field day, May 5.

Organized by Korea Program on International Agriculture (KOPIA) Center Philippines and PhilRice, the activity aims to help farmers manage climate change-related risks and maximize their yield through the use of different technologies.

Dr. Jasper G. Tallada of PhilRice’s Climate Change (CC) Program said that climate change largely impacts rice production.

Read more: Farmers’ coop learns climate-smart technologies

Read more: Climate body to finalize Philippine obligations to Paris pact