The UP Los Baños Interdisciplinary Studies Center on Integrated Natural Resources and Environmental Management (UPLB-INREM), a recognized UP Resilience Institute (UP RI) Affiliate Hub, has organized its Strategic Planning on 22-23 August 2023 at Hotel Kimberly, City of Tagaytay and the first among the affiliate hubs to do so. The strategic planning workshop aimed to forge a path forward for UPLB-INREM in the next ten years to reflect its newly-institutionalized nature. The participants were composed of the technical working group and research staff of UPLB-INREM and the Directors and key researchers from UP RI.
On the first day, the mood was set by some encouraging words from UPRI’s Executive Director Dr. Alfredo Mahar Francisco A. Lagmay, CFNR Dean Marlo Mendoza, UPLB-INREM Co-Chair Dr. Michelle Grace V. Paraso, UPLB Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension Dr. Nathaniel C. Bantayan, and UPLB Chancellor Dr. Jose V. Camacho, Jr. This was followed by the discussion of Dr. Juan Pulhin about the INREM, its beginnings and its future as UPLB’s key response in addressing the complex and interrelated problems in our environment. Further, each of the Directors and Chief Science Research Specialists of the five (5) divisions of UP RI, namely, Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (NOAH) Center, Institution Building, Research and Creative Works, Education, and Knowledge Sharing have presented their respective mandates, existing projects and initiatives, and their plans in the succeeding years in line with the UP RI’s mission which is to empower local communities through multidisciplinary actions toward resilience.
During the breakout session, the participants were divided into groups to develop a plan of action for the identified programs of INREM: (1) Collaborative Research, Development, and Extension (RDE) for Ecosystem-based Resilience, (2) Public Education and Capacity Building, (3) Policy and Institutional Reforms, (4) Monitoring and Evaluation. Specifically, each of the groups drafted a strategic plan using the logical framework approach for each of the above-mentioned programs. The output of the groups were presented to the body for further refinement.
Also present during the workshops are Dr. Wilfredo Carandang, Dr. Cristino Tiburan, Jr., Dr. Florencia Pulhin, Dr. Dixon T. Gevaña, Asst. Professor Jan Joseph Dida from the College of Forestry and Natural Resources; Dr. Michelle Grace V. Paraso and Dr. Bella Cruzana from the College of Veterinary Medicine; Dr. Virginia Cuevas, Dr. Damasa Macandog, and Asst. Prof Danilo Mercado from the College of Arts and Sciences; Dr. Asa Jose Sajise and Dr. Zenaida Sumalde of the College of Economics and Management; Dr. Ricardo M. Sandalo and Dr. Edgar M. Reyes, Jr. from the College of Human Ecology; Dr. Rosario Tatlonghari from the College of Development Communication; Dr. Roger Luyun from the College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology; Dr. Hildie Maria Nacorda from the School of Environmental Science and Management; and Dr. Josefina T. Dizon from the College of Public Affairs and Development, and Mr. Jemo Agudo of the OVCRE.
UP RI was also represented by Joy T. Santiago, EnP and Jerico E. Mendoza, EnP of the NOAH Center; Prof. Genaro Cuaresma and Mr. Jose Abraham C. Ongkiko of the Institution Building Division; Dr. Glecy Atienza and Mr. Dennis de la Torre of the Research and Creative Work Division; Prof. Ruben Gamala and Mr. Richard Ybañez of the Education Division; and Dr. Likha Minimo of the Knowledge Sharing Division.
The success of the event was made possible by efforts of the research staff from both institutions: Ms. Hazel Victoriano, Ms. Anjanette Mariano, Mr. Kenneth Suarez, Ms. Magnafin Galang, Ms. Gershey Evangelista, Mr. Benrooz Fernandez, Ms. Farah Sevilla, Mr. Christian Ray Buendia, Mr. Adrian Sasi, Ms. Marielle Baliwag, Ms. Claire Galano, Ms. Joylyn Yu, and Mr. Kyle Singson.
Through the workshop, UPLB-INREM and UP RI were able to harmonize its plans and programs and were able to identify areas of cooperation and complementation where the strengths of both institutions can further advance knowledge and programs on ecosystem-based resilience in the country.
By Anjanette B. Mariano, Kyle Vincent R. Singson (August 29, 2023)