DOST, groups set program to protect Cordillera mountains

By Christian Robert Sandoval

BAGUIO CITY -- The Dept. of Science and Technology-Cordillera Administrative Region launched two programs to aid in preservation of Cordillera mountains amidst natural disasters and urbanization through innovative engineering solutions and ensure water security and climate resilience for mountain communities.

 The launching of the two DOST research and development programs in CAR was held here June 8 with a press conference.
    The event was attended by regional Philippine Information Agency, media, academe, line agencies, provincial government units of Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province and municipal governments of Sallapadan, Abra; Itogon, Tuba, Tublay; La Trinidad, Benguet; Baguio City; Banaue, Ifugao; Tabuk City, Tinglayan, Kalinga; Bontoc and Bauko, Mountain Province. 

The first program, namely, “Program boondock: A mountain engineering center towards sustainable infrastructure and upland water security,” is a collaborative effort of the DOST-CAR with the University of the Cordilleras, Kalinga State University, Saint Louis University and Watershed and Water Resources Research, Development and Extension Center — one of Research Centers of the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources-Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau.

The program seeks to enhance industrial competitiveness of the Cordillera in agriculture, tourism and mobility through mountain engineering solutions and promote social and human development through upland water security, and environmental sustainability.

Funded by the DOST science for change program (S4CP) niche centers in regions, Program Boondock aims an estimated P1-billion savings in infrastructure damage due to landslides and extreme flooding in a span of three to five years while safeguarding lives.

The R&D center, which is the second NICER program in CAR (the first being the Potato Research and Development Center of Benguet State University in 2019), will have a total funding of P62 million and will target to increase agriculture production by 20% and provide sustainable water resources management solutions.

Since 2017, 35 NICER centers have been established in 17 regions across the country, amounting to P1.7 billion devoted to support the country’s R&D initiatives.

The second program, titled “Ensuring water security and climate-resilience for mountain indigenous communities of the Cordillera through technology-enhanced decision support tools” is expected to bring about sufficient, clean and safe domestic water supply in mountain communities especially during the dry season.

The program, which is a partnership of DOST-CAR with the Mountain Province State Polytechnic College and University of the Cordilleras  and funded by the DOST- National Research Council of the Philippines, will provide the necessary data and information to support decisions on water resources development for water supply more resilient to climate change and technology-enhanced information and decision support system for  conservation of rivers and watersheds of the Cordillera.  

The “program boondock” and “water security program” aim to enhance research and development in addressing calamities and protecting  lives, livelihood and natural resources in Cordillera.