LEGAZPI CITY, ALBAY (PIA) –The Bicol University (BU) will be hosting the first Climate Smart Hub in the country that will generate Science-based data and capacitate LGUs in integrating the Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) framework in their plans and programs.

At the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Local Climate Change Adaptation for Development (LCCAD), BU President Arnulfo Mascariñas pledged his support for the establishment of the Climate Vulnerable to Disaster Resilient Albay (CVADRAL) and Climate Smart Hub, which will also serve as a collaborative body for both local and national DRRM partners and stakeholders.

“I am thankful to the LCCAD for trusting us to become the partner of this project. I commit myself to establish the Climate Smart Hub in the BU and convince the next president to support and sustain its operations,” Mascariñas said.

The term of Mascariñas as the 8th BU president will end this 2023.

“This CVADRAL Climate Smart Hub is the first in the country. It is part of the 2023 Philippine Development Plan and the blueprint in particular, of the directive of President Bongbong Marcos to integrate, demonstrate and recalibrate the DRRM and climate change adaptation (CCA) plans of the national and local government, down to the barangays,” LCCAD Executive Director Nong Rangasa said.

With the establishment of the CVADRAL hub, Rangasa said sectoral participation could be widened and strengthened to ensure that the common interest of stakeholders is considered in all aspects and levels of CCAM and disaster risk resilience.

“The CVADRAL Hub is envisioned as a living laboratory and will be the primary support system for advancing competency enhancement and institutional strengthening to enable stakeholders to produce efficient DRRM outputs and services and state-of-the-art CCA programs,” Rangasa said.

“Given the physical vulnerability of Albay and the Bicol region, there is a need to expedite the transformation from being climate vulnerable to becoming disaster resilient and climate smart,” he added.

Rangasa said that after the MOU signing, state universities and colleges, inter-agency and sectoral partners and stakeholders will be convened to identify areas for collaborations and sharing of resources.

The MOU signing, held at the BU Conference Room on January 5, , was witnessed by Albay Representative, Cong. Joey Salceda, League of Municipal Mayor Albay Chapter President Adrian Salceda and BU Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Amelia Dorosan.

Also present are representatives from the LGUs, Albay DRRM Council, Philippine Information Agency – Albay and media partners. (PIA5/Albay)