PHIL-LiDAR 1 Programs Wraps Up the 5th Mindanao Cluster Conference

The Caraga State University (CSU) PHIL-LiDAR 1 Program, in collaboration with the UP Diliman PHIL-LiDAR 1 Program, has productively wrapped up this year’s series of cluster conference in Mindanao through the Caraga Stakeholders Congress/ 5th Mindanao Cluster Conference held in Grand Palace Convention Center, Butuan City, Caraga.

Continuing to deliver the goal of facilitating a venue for presentation of updates and plans of the continuously held colloquiums in the cluster of Mindanao, the Caraga Stakeholders Congress also aims to involve its stakeholders in the use of its product. With the theme “Flood Hazard Mapping of Mindanao Using LiDAR: Status, Challenges, and Opportunities,” the three-day program of activities included sharing of LiDAR data products and possible opportunities of its use in the research and development of Mindanao and its application in the disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation.

The three-day conduct consists of a whole-day symposium and exhibits with presentations from stakeholders and members of the program on Day 1, December 6 and the remaining two days, Dec 7-8, devoted for the members’ cluster meeting, talks, and tutorials, and site visit to the covered  river basins.

Most of the participants from the PHIL-LiDAR 1 Program UP Diliman traveled to Bancasi Airport, Butuan City on this day. Upon arrival and check-in to the accommodation, the participants ensured and completed preparations for the 2-day conference was in place. An early registration counter opened at the Grand Palace Convention Center. The exhibit ingress for all UP Diliman and all the partner schools was also scheduled in the afternoon until the evening of this day.

The attendance which figured to 268 came from the PHIL-LiDAR 1 Program UP Diliman and partner schools: Ateneo de Zamboanga University (AdZU), Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), University of the Philippines-Mindanao (UP Mindanao), and University of San Carlos (UC), from the government of Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, and other local agencies.

Engr. Meriam Makinano-Santillan opened the program followed by morning session messages and open forum from the following guests:

-Dr. Rowena P. Varela, Vice President for Research and Extension of Caraga State Universit

-Atty. Glenn C. Carampatana, Councilor of Butuan City, representing Hon. Mayor Ronnie Vicente C. Lagnad

-Mr. Alan Taule, Chief of Information Resources and Analysis Division (IRAD) Science and Technology Information Institute Department of Science and Technology (DOST), representing the DOST Main Offic

-Dr. Alexander Campaner, Consultant and Focal Person in Establishing the Mindanao Knowledge Center (MKC) and Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), Representing USec. Janet M. Lopoz, MinDA Executive Director

PHIL-LiDAR 1 Program Leader Dr. Enrico C. Paringit delivered the keynote presentation: “Flood Hazard Mapping of Mindanao Using LiDAR – Status, Challenges, and Opportunities.

Before lunch break, the exhibit area was officially opened to introduce each project housed in each partner implementing school and showcase the outputs from the different work processes assigned to them.

A period in the afternoon was provided for discussions and open forum from:

-Dir. Dominga D. Mallonga, Regional Director  of DOST Caraga

-Dir. Mylah Faye Arurora,, Regional Director of National Economic Development Authority Caraga

-Engr. Mark Edwin Tupas, Project Leader of Data Archiving and Distribution Component, PHIL-LiDAR 1 Program

Shortly after the open forum was the formal awarding of the Flood Hazard Maps and LiDAR data products to the representatives of the municipalities covered in Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Agusan del Sur, and Agusan del Norte. 

Engr. Meriam Santillan commences the program for 5^th Mindanao Cluster Conference/ Caraga Stakeholders program (top left). It was followed by the messages from Dr. Rowena P. Varela (top right), Atty. Glenn C. Carampatana, Mr. Alan Taule (bottom left), and Dr. Alexander Campaner (bottom right). 

Local government offices from CARAGA receive the Flood Hazard Map of their areas of responsibility and other LiDAR derived output.

Two parallel assemblies were held on the 2nd day of the conference: Mindanao Cluster Business Meeting for leaders and Talks and Tutorials for staff. Recent accomplishments and catch-up plans of the partner schools were reported and deliberated during the business meeting. Each partner school presented in the morning followed by component presentations in the afternoon.

Simultaneously being held is the capacity building training for your researchers of the program. Topics covered included tips and techniques for writing, presenting, submitting research proposals and journal research papers, and for delivering technical paper and scientific poster.

The Business Meeting with program heads is held parallel to the talks and tutorials for program staff. 

The whole day of the 3rd day was dedicated to site visits of river basins covered by CSU which were Hubo-Otieza,  Hinatuan, and Bislig River Basins.