On May 15 and 16, the UP Resilience Institute (UP RI) and the Municipality of Calamba held an Exploratory Meeting with Mayor Roseller Rizal of the City of Calamba. The UP Resilience Institute, headed by Institution Building Division Director Prof. Genaro A. Cuaresma together with Supervising Science Research Specialist Rojo Guerrero T. Padilla and Junior ICT Staff from the UP RI Office of the Executive Director, discussed Climate Change Adaptation and the Initiatives of UP RI in providing capacity building training to the City of Calamba. During the first day, Mayor Rizal warmly received the UP RI and discussed points such as possible partnership that could result in the possible updating of their preparedness plans.
Mayor Rizal in response discussed the areas in his jurisdiction that are flooded and how flooding has been a recurring problem. The mayor also expressed his interest for the UP RI to provide his City Council the same briefing and orientation. On the second day, the UPRI came back to brief the Mayor’s Council. Apart from the City Council, City Admin of the office of the Mayor Mr. Johnny R. Pamuspusan and City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office Head Mr. Noriel Habana were present to support the partnership. During the briefing and exploratory talks, emphasis was given to the management of flooding in the area. UP RI responded and mentioned that the institution has done several Drainage Master Planning and are willing to assist.
