Resilience Live Episode 21 – From Policy to Case Implementation: Designing Nature-Based Solutions for Bayawan Water District and Philippine Ecozones
Air Date: April 30, 2026
Speaker: Amancio “Aman” Melad III
About the Speaker: Amancio “Aman” Melad III is the Managing Director of Aqua Klima Inc. and a water governance and climate adaptation specialist with over 13 years of experience. He has worked with organizations such as the Asian Development Bank, UNDP, World Bank, and UNICEF on projects related to water security, climate resilience, and sustainable development. He also serves as a lecturer at De La Salle University and holds a Master of Science in Water Management and Governance from IHE Delft.
Abstract:
Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) in the Philippines remain largely confined to policy frameworks, with limited translation into site-specific, implementable designs. AquaKlima responds by shifting from policy work to delivering conceptual, engineering-informed NbS prototypes under real project constraints. This presentation centers on two pilot systems: the Bayawan Water District, where NbS is applied to groundwater recharge, watershed stabilization, and flood mitigation; and a PEZA-linked economic zone, where NbS addresses drainage failure, heat stress, and high-impervious land cover in dense industrial settings. Developed under tight timelines, the team employs an abridged methodology that works backwards from design outputs, using multi-criteria analysis, GIS, remote sensing, and hydrological modeling to justify interventions while deferring full social assessments. These pilot applications contribute to an emerging body of implementation experience, demonstrating technical feasibility and informing pathways for financing and integration, thereby supporting the transition of NbS from policy concepts to operational practice.