In a significant milestone for climate change resilience and sustainable development, Atty. Edward Chumawar, head of the Mountain Province Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MPDRRMO), along with members of the Technical Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction & Management and Climate Change Adaptation, met with MPSPC President Edgar G. Cue to convey the approval of the Integrated Climate Field School for Farmers proposal for funding amounting to 271,150,900.00 under the People’s Survival Fund (PSF).
The project, initiated by the MPDRRMO in collaboration with various technical committee members representing different offices of the Provincial Government and MPSPC, aims to address sustainable development goals, particularly focusing on Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Action, and Sustainable Environment and Agriculture. The initiative seeks to empower vulnerable communities to confront the challenges posed by climate change, embodying the spirit of partnership for the goals through teamwork and collaboration.
During the meeting, Technical Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction & Management and Climate Change Adaptation chair Ian Neil Culallad discussed the comprehensive aspects of the project. President Cue expressed his enthusiasm for the implementation of the project, considering the significant impact this will have on MPSPC.
As the chosen site for the project, MPSPC plays an important role as a partner of the Provincial Government in executing the Climate Field School initiative. The project’s journey began in October 2022, with the technical committee’s formation and the proposal’s drafting. Ian Neil Culallad, who completed his post-graduate degree and training in precision agriculture and climate change in Japan, provided the concept of the project – the construction of a green building where initiatives on climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction management, and environmental management are integrated and executed. The proposal’s capability-building aspect, which is crucial for the project’s sustainability, was crafted by Luzlyn M. Agwilang, MPSPC’s Director for research and technical committee member, along with Provincial Agriculture Office members.
The Integrated Climate Field School for Farmers proposal, which was submitted to the PSF Board, was then presented to MPSPC President Edgar G. Cue on June 19, 2023, informing the former of the plan to build the Climate Field School at the MPSPC Paracelis site. After complying with recommendations resulting from the field appraisals and site validation conducted by representatives of the PSF board on June 12, 2023, and July 11-13, 2023, the project finally gained approval for implementation by the Department of Finance on October 23, 2023. The official communication announcing the approval received by the provincial government was signed by DOF Secretary Benjamin Diokno on November 3, 2023.
The approval of the Climate Field School Project marks a momentous occasion for the Mountain Province Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, MPSPC, and partners, underscoring their commitment to building resilience and fostering sustainable practices in the face of climate change. The Climate Field School project is poised to make a positive impact on the lives of vulnerable communities and contribute to the broader goals of climate action and sustainable development in the province and the region.
