As part of the project “Bridging Academic Researchers and Vulnerable Island Communities in the Philippines: Enhancing the Climate and Disaster Risk Management Capacities of Municipalities in Batanes, Philippines”, the project team conducted a series of courtesy calls across the Province of Batanes in May 2025. These visits aimed to formally introduce the project to local government units (LGUs), foster collaboration, and strengthen coordination with municipal and provincial stakeholders.
The series of engagements began on May 15, 2025, in the municipalities of Basco and Mahatao. In the Municipality of Basco, EnP. Isabella Victoria de Mata and Hon. German A. Caccam warmly welcomed the project team (Figure 1). Representing the team were EnP. Joy Santiago, Ms. Marie Claire Mandar, Ms. April Dawn Tegelan, Mr. Julius Obrique, Ms. Ella Danielle Santiaguel, For. Rysch Nae Subijano, For. Janiella Sandoval, and Engr. Kristian Audri Gabriel. Later that day in the Municipality of Mahatao, Hon. Noe Avelino F. Fabro (Former Vice Mayor) received the team, along with Ms. Kirstin Agsunod and Mr. Allen Agsunod from the Municipal Planning and Development Office (MPDO) (Figure 2). The same team members attended, joined by Ms. Patricia Anne Delmendo.
Figure 1. Courtesy call with the Municipality of Basco, Batanes
Figure 2. Courtesy call with the Municipality of Mahatao, Batanes
On May 16, 2025, the team continued their visits to the southern municipalities. In the Municipality of Sabtang, they met with Hon. Prescila Babalo (Former Mayor), Engr. Irving Halago (Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator), and Sir Marx Israel Castro (Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer) (Figure 3). Attending the courtesy call were Ms. April Dawn Tegelan, Ms. Marie Claire Mandar, Mr. Julius Obrique, Ms. Ella Danielle Santiaguel, For. Rysch Nae Subijano, For. Janiella Sandoval, Engr. Kristian Audri Gabriel, and Ms. Patricia Anne Delmendo.
Figure 3. Courtesy call with the Municipality of Sabtang, Batanes
In the Municipality Ivana, Hon. Celso B. Batallones (Former Mayor) and Mr. Medardo Louie C. Agudo (MPDC) welcomed the team (Figure 4). Those present included Ms. April Dawn Tegelan, Ms. Marie Claire Mandar, Mr. Julius Obrique, Ms. Ella Danielle Santiaguel, For. Rysch Nae Subijano, For. Janiella Sandoval, Engr. Kristian Audri Gabriel, and Ms. Patricia Anne Delmendo. Meanwhile, in the Municipality of Uyugan, EnP. John Ralph Torres (MPDC) and Engr. Mark Giovanni Pajudpud (MDRRMO) received the team (Figure 5), which included Ms. April Dawn Tegelan, Ms. Ella Danielle Santiaguel, For. Janiella Sandoval, and Ms. Patricia Anne Delmendo.
Figure 4. Courtesy call with the Municipality of Ivana, Batanes
Figure 5. Courtesy call with the Municipality of Uyugan, Batanes
The final leg of the courtesy calls took place on May 26, 2025. In the Municipality of Itbayat, For. Janiella Sandoval represented the project team and was welcomed by Former Hon. Sabas de Sagon (Former Mayor) and Ms. Kathleen Garcia (MDRRMO) (Figure 6). On the same day, the team conducted a courtesy call to the Provincial Government of Batanes (PGB). Former Vice Governor Ignacio C. Villa and Ms. Melissa Gretchen C. Pama (PDRRMO) received the team, which included Dr. Alfredo Mahar Francisco A. Lagmay, Dr. Mario Delos Reyes, EnP. Jerico Mendoza, Ms. Marie Claire Mandar, and Ms. Ella Danielle Santiaguel (Figure 7; Figure 8).
Figure 6. Courtesy call with the Municipality of Itbayat, Batanes
Figure 7. Courtesy call with the Provincial Government of Batanes
Figure 8. Dr. Lagmay showing the NOAH website to the PDRRMO
These courtesy calls marked a crucial first step in establishing strong partnerships with the LGUs of Batanes. They provided a platform for introducing the project’s objectives, expressing appreciation for the warm reception and support, and reaffirming the team’s commitment to community-driven and evidence-based approaches to climate and disaster risk management across the province.