Ric Ryan Regalado, MSc

Ric Ryan Regalado, MSc

I'm a Filipino scientist-in-training interested in some very niche things related to microbes, microbiomes, and models 🦠🧬🖥️

The Bicol River Basin Project: Development of comprehensive early warning system for agri-fishery communities in the Bicol River Basin

Published in Partido State University Press, 2021

Abstract: In the Philippines, the Bicol Region is one of the most disaster-prone areas due to its physiographic and topographic characteristics. Although the effects of climate change are expected to vary geographically, the natural hazards experienced in the region, mainly storms and largescale flooding, poses a significant risk to marginalized households and predominantly on the spatial and temporal aspects of agricultural productivity. Considering the vast area covered by the Bicol River Basin area, one of the country’s productive regions, a significant sum of pesos (Php) in agri-fishery damages is experienced perennially by the communities living within the area. Thus, developing early warning systems accessible to the farmers and fisherfolks may help mitigate the debilitating impacts of the erratic climate variability and extremes. This report presents a shared stakeholders’ experience in climate and disaster-resilient development and aims to contribute to the importance of local agricultural resiliency. With this, selected case studies were used throughout the report to illustrate promising approaches, lessons learned, and remaining challenges.

Keywords: Climate change, agriculture, climate information system, climate-resilience, early warning system

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FUN FACT: The Bicol River Basin Project has been a recipient of several accolades and critical acclaim from various esteemed award-giving bodies in the country. Shortly after its release in 2021, it was awarded the Outstanding Book/Monograph Award by the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST PHL) in 2022. And the following year, it was recognized as a Finalist for the Best Book in Science at the 40th National Book Awards by the National Book Development Board (NBDB) and the Manila Critics Circle (MCC), earning a Special Citation Award “…to recognize the scope of its contribution to Science”. The significance of this monograph lies in its potential to revolutionize disaster preparedness and response strategies in the vulnerable agri-fishery communities of the Bicol River Basin (BRB). The significance of this publication lies in its well-rounded content, which earned it its prestigious accolades in the country. These recognitions have been instrumental in amplifying the voices of grassroot, marginalized Filipino climate survivors, especially during a time when people around the world are demanding for aggressive climate action. Read more...


Recommended citation: Laureta RP, Regalado RRH, and Baldo DEB. (2021). The Bicol River Basin Project: Development of comprehensive early warning system for agri-fishery communities in the Bicol River Basin. Partido State University Press, Philippines. ISBN 978-971-9911-69-2

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