By: Luigi Toda

The Oscar M. Lopez Center (OML Center) for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management Foundation, Inc. and the Lopez Group Foundation, Inc. (LGFI) organized the first in a series of public lectures as part of Professorial Chair Awards (PCA) of the OML Center, which is envisioned to recognize novel achievements and work by scientists and experts in the Philippines.

The 1^st PCL entitled “Science and Innovation for a Climate-Ready Philippines” was held at the University of the Philippines National Engineering Center last September 24, 2014. First Professorial Chair holders Dr. Enrico Paringit of the UP DREAM program (Project NOAH) and Dr. Carlos Primo David of Climate X (Project NOAH) and UP NIGS presented lectures on their respective researchers related to climate change adaptation (CCA) and disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM).

Dr. Paringit emphasized the application of state-of-the-art LiDAR mapping technology to assess climate change-enhanced floods that will help identify areas suitable for rice cultivation in Apalit, Pampanga. “The amount, extent and period of inundation will pose challenges in agricultural production. The use of LiDAR for flood mapping can help improve agricultural practices in Pampanga considering available resources and water dynamics,” noted Dr. Paringit. Meanwhile, Dr. David discussed the state of water resources in the Philippines and how to better manage these resources amid changing climate. “We will never have water scarcity, only operational scarcity,” said Dr. David, emphasizing that efficiency in supply of water is a key factor in determining water rates.

Policy implications, data availability and access, and potential research collaborations were discussed during the open forum. The 1^st PCL was also made possible by the University of the Philippines (UP), the UP Disaster Risk and Exposure Assessment for Mitigation (DREAM) Program and the Junior Philippine Geographical Society – UP Diliman (JPGS-UPD).