The Work Package 2B (WP2B) Team of the Research and Creative Work (RCW) Division conducted field research in Brgy. Biri Norte in Leon, Iloilo last December 4 to 6, 2023. The team is composed of Chief Science Research Specialist Dennis G. de la Torre, and Junior Project Assistants For. Alexa Samantha R. Hernandez, Ramon Christopher A. Caballero, and Ruby Jane Abelarde.
During their field visit, the researchers conducted focus group discussions (FGDs) to guide the Leon, Iloilo LGU, and the local community leaders of Brgy. Biri Norte on what anticipatory action is, how it is done, and how it relates to their current DRRM practices. The researchers have emphasized that Leon, Iloilo would benefit from anticipatory action since the municipality is primarily agricultural land with high vulnerability to flooding and drought.
In addition to the FGDs, WP2B facilitated a participatory mapping activity with Brgy. Biri Norte stakeholders. The activity aims to gauge the reception of the local government sector in having a map-based decision-support tool for anticipatory action. Work Package 2A (WP2A) from the UP NOAH WebGIS Component is developing a map-based decision-support tool known as an impact-based flood “now-casting” for the NOAH website (noah.up.edu.ph) to assist LGUs in their DRRM practices amid the increasing threats of climate change.
Anticipatory action is a growing science- and forecast-based paradigm in disaster response which enables a more efficient mobilization of goods and services during the onset of disasters. WP2A and WP2B are part of the ongoing projects of the UP Resilience Institute within the Academic Alliance for Anticipatory Action (4As) consortium which explores the possibilities of deploying anticipatory action at the national and local levels, respectively.