MANILA, Philippines – SEARCA, in collaboration with the CTI Engineering International Co., Ltd., Woodfields Consultants, Inc., and ERGONS Project Marketing Consultants was chosen by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to support the implementation of the new Technical Assistance (TA) on Climate Resilience and Green Growth in Critical Watersheds Project. The TA is funded by the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (JFPR) through ADB. The Climate Change Commission (CCC) serves as the Implementing Agency on the part of the Government of the Philippines.The project officially commenced on 5 May 2014 and is expected to run until 31 October 2016. The project contract was signed on April 21, 2014 at the ADB headquarters in Mandaluyong City, Philippines. The contracting parties were represented by Dr. Ancha Srinivasan and Ms. Hiet Tran of ADB, Mr. Alexis Lapis of the Climate Change Commission, Dr. Gil C. Saguiguit, Jr. of SEARCA, Mr. Julius Francisco of Woodfields Consultants, Inc., Ms. Teresita V. Pascual of Ergons Project Marketing Consultants, and Shuji Kaku of CTI Engineering International, Co., Ltd. Japan.
The TA seeks to demonstrate climate-resilient green growth options in critical watersheds in the Lower Marikina River Basin covering nine municipalities in Lower Marikina (Marikina, Cainta, and Quezon City), Camarines Sur (Naga City, Milaor, and San Fernando), and Davao Oriental (Banganga, Cateel, and Boston). Priority is given to watersheds in these areas because of their role as water support systems for both upstream and downstream communities, i.e., domestic water consumers, irrigation water users, and hydropower companies. The watersheds are chosen based on their (1) high biophysical vulnerability to climate change, (2) high levels of urban poverty and population density with settlements in vulnerable locations, and (3) high demonstration potential for integrating climate resilience and green growth into local development at both policy and operational levels.
The TA will create plans for green growth and resilience in each of three critical watersheds by considering five dimensions: (1) economic development; (2) resilience to climate change; (3) biodiversity, ecosystems, and social development; (4) greenhouse gas emissions; and (5) poverty alleviation. Staff from national agencies will collaborate with LGUs and other stakeholders on the development and delivery of outputs through participation in dialogues and training activities. Through increased awareness of potential benefits of climate actions, funding opportunities, and other incentives, it is expected that the national agencies and participating LGUs will remain committed to implementing locally appropriate measures for green growth and resilience, and integrate them into local development plans.
The Consulting Team will be led by Dr. Candido A. Cabrido, Jr. as the National Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management Specialist. Other members of the Team include Dr. Teodoro Villanueva (Deputy Team Leader), Dr. Juan Pulhin (International CCA and DRR Specialist), Dr. Takayaku Hatano (International Natural Resource Management Economist), Dr. Florencia Pulhin (International CC Mitigation Specialist), Dr. Hector Sales (NRM Economist), Dr. Esteban Godilano (GIS Specialist), Dr. Paulo Pasicolan (Capacity Building Specialist), Ms. Ma. Emelinda Mendoza (Gender Mainstreaming Specialist), Ms. Antonieta Arceo (Multimedia, Communication and KM Specialist), and five sectoral vulnerability and impact assessment specialists, namely, Dr. Nicomedes Briones (Agriculture), Ms. Teresita V. Pascual (Water Resources), Dr. Asuncion De Guzman (Coastal Resources), Dr. Amiel Nazar Consigna Bermudez (Health), and Mr. Randolph D. Carreon (Transportation and Energy).
