HyDEPP-SATREPS visits partner agencies
November 21, 2022
The HyDEPP SATREPS Team conducted a visit to each of its partner agencies from November 14-17, 2022. The team pushed with the visit despite the busy schedule in order to maximize the Japanese members’ stay in the Philippines and to keep the partner agencies involved in the efforts of the project.
Led by Dr. Miho Ohara (Project Leader), Japan members who participated were Dr. Kensuke Naito, Dr. Naoko Nagumo, Dr. Mamoru Miyamoto as well as Engr. Vicente Ballaran from the International Center for Water Hazard and Risk Management (ICHARM). Engr. Ballaran is a former study leader of the project but is currently taking his PhD through the ICHARM scholarship programs. Dr. Toshio Koike, Executive Director of ICHARM was also present at the visits.
Dr. Patricia Sanchez (Project Manager) also joined in some of the visits to represent the Philippine side. Ms. Makiko Ohashi (JICA Expert and Project Coordinator) as well as Mr. Julius Galang (JICA Project Assistant) was also present at the visits.
The visits were mainly composed of several presentations from ICHARM in relation to partnership for the project. Dr. Koike and Dr. Miyamoto presented the Rainfall Runoff Inundation (RRI) and the Online Synthesis System for Sustainability and Resilience (OSS-SR) models as well current updates on the Asian Water Cycle Initiative (AWCI)
This was followed by a brief introduction and summary of HyDEPP SATREPS by Dr. Ohara. Dr. Naito then presented the current efforts on the Laguna Lake sedimentation especially the determination of sites to conduct the survey as well as laboratory facilities that can perform the needed analysis on sediment samples. Engr. Ballaran, on the other hand, shared his current progress in the calibration of RRI model for Pasig-Marikina River and Laguna Lake Basin.
ICHARM also took the opportunity to express their gratitude to each partner agency for supporting and sending their delegates to the recently conducted E-learning Sessions 2022.
On Day 1, the agencies visited were the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) followed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). LLDA was represented by Hon. Jaime Medina (General Manager), Engr. Jocelyn Sta. Ana (Division Chief) and other LLDA staff and DPWH by Mr. Shine Nemoto (JICA Coordinator) and Engr. Michael Alpasan (Engineer V).
On Day 2, the team went first to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) office and was welcomed by Dr. Vicente Malano (Administrator), Dr. Nathaniel Servando (Deputy Administrator), Mr. Roy Badilla (Chief, Hydro-Meteorology Division), Engr. Socrates Paat, Jr. (Chief, Hydrometeorological Data Analysis Section) as well as other PAGASA staff. Then, in the afternoon, they proceeded to meet with the current Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr. Dr. Solidum has been part of the project even before his appointment as DOST Secretary.
On Day 3, the team was able to meet with the key persons in the University of the Philippines-Diliman, also among the research organizations of the project. Dr. Eugene Herrera and Dr. Roberto Soriano were both present at their meeting. This was followed by the meeting with Engr. Nolland A. Baduel (Director) and Engr. Rosalita Barde from the Flood Control and Sewerage Management Office of the Metropolitan Manila Development Autnority (MMDA). The team was also toured at the headquarters of the Effective Flood Control Operation System (EFCOS) project and the Rosario Weir which is also assisted by JICA.
ICHARM hopes for a more efficient communication with the partner agencies, especially with the needs on providing data, logistics and mobilization, etc through consistent updates with each of them.