​​​​Seminar on the Introduction to Adaptation Planning Tools with Emphasis on Flood Simulation and Climocast

  18-19 October, 2024

    Laoag City, Philippines

The AIT RRC.AP successfully organized a “Seminar on the introduction of Adaptation Planning Tools” with Laoag City, The Philippines. This initiative aligned with Laoag City’s long-term vision of transforming the city into a SMART City, where technology and innovation play vital roles in public safety, urban planning and sustainability. The seminar provided Laoag City adaptation tools such as flood simulation and ClimoCast which are highly relevant in today’s climate landscape in North Luzon, The Philippines.

​​​​​

About 35 participants from local relevent stateholders participated this seminar. The City of Laoag was represented by the City personnel from the Office of the City Agriculturist, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, City of Planning and Development Office, Office of the City Engineer, City Environment and Natural Resources Office, Community Affairs Department, Liga ng mga Barangay, and General Services Office.

The welcome remarks for the seminar was delivered by Mr. Taiki Kohno, Assistant Director, Ministry of Environment, Japan (MOEJ). Dr. Guilberto Borongan the Director of AIT RRC.AP delivered the opening remarks and introduce AIT RRC.AP activities in the region. He discussed the importance of building capacities ​and raising awareness about climate change adaptation tools. Dr Ramesh Soysa, Head of Climate Change Cluster, introduced AP-PLAT in the context of regional climate resilience. Dr. Melvin Medel Manuel highlighted Laoag City’s Hazard profile, including flood-prone, landslide-prone, and tsunami-vulnerable areas, supported by geohazard maps that guide local planning efforts. Mr. Julius Jimenez, discussed in-depth on the different tools to enhance the City's preparedness, adaptation, and mitigation strategies. Adaptation tools developed with the support of the MOEJ, RRC.AP, and other partners were showcased e.g., the S8DS Climate Change Data Downscaling, ClimoCast that provides CMIP6 climate change projections, the FloodS web-based flood simulation and the root software of FloodS named DioVISTA.

On the second day of the seminar, selected participants and resource persons visited barangays that are vulnerable to annual flooding. The CDRRMO team, led by Dr. Manuel, showcases the response procedure of the three most identified vulnerable barangays in Laoag City. The site visit provides an application of the Internet of Things and modern technology to enhance the disaster preparedness of the cities. ​