Building Resilience and Future‑Proofing for Multi-Stress Scenarios in the Philippines

Challenge

Communities in Albay, Philippines, face climate, disaster, and socio-economic stresses, with limited local government capacity to integrate adaptation.

Solution

Workshops, training, and a science-policy forum provided local governments and communities with tools to improve resilience and prepare long-term strategies.

Overview

Albay province in the Bicol Region of the Philippines is highly exposed to multiple climate and disaster risks. Located along the Pacific typhoon belt and the Ring of Fire, it faces recurring typhoons, floods, landslides, volcanic eruptions from Mt. Mayon, and droughts. These hazards are compounded by socio-economic pressures, such as poverty, population growth, and limited resources for local government units (LGUs).

The Quinali A Watershed includes six LGUs, and this project engaged 18 selected barangays (villages). Recognizing the urgent need for integrated and forward-looking strategies, the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN)  supported an initiative led by Juan M. Pulhin (University of the Philippines Los Baños, Philippines).

Capacity-building process

The project adopted a participatory and transdisciplinary approach, engaging six LGUs in the watershed. The project team first conducted baseline assessments and stakeholder consultations to understand existing adaptation and disaster risk reduction (DRR) practices, gaps, and needs. This informed the design of targeted training modules. Local officials, technical staff, community representatives, and civil society organizations were brought together to share experiences and co-develop strategies.

Workshops and training

Activities included an exposure trip and capacity-building at the University of the Philippines Diliman, followed by APN-Albay training workshops in Albay. These workshops provided training on climate and disaster risk assessment, scenario building, and the integration of adaptation and DRR into local development plans. Focus group discussions were conducted in 18 barangays. Activities emphasized probabilistic risk assessment and mainstreaming risk information in local plans, using a watershed approach.

Methods and tools

The project trained farmers and early‑career researchers in geographic information systems (GIS) and spatial decision support systems (SDSS) for mapping CSA practices and crop suitability.An electronic portal and smartphone app were developed to share CSA practices, seasonal calendars, pest and disease status, and crop-suitability maps, with two-way features for farmers to submit questions and images to local officials and experts.

Science-policy dialogue

A Science-Policy Forum was held at the sidelines of the 4th International Conference on Integrated Natural Resources and Environment Management (report available here) in 2023 to link research findings with decision-making. The forum gathered LGU officials, academics, non-government organizations, and community leaders to discuss evidence from the project’s assessments and training. Researchers presented case studies and shared methodologies for integrated risk management. The forum provided a platform for dialogue on challenges such as resource constraints, coordination across agencies, and sustaining long-term adaptation initiatives.

Policy recommendations included ecosystem-based adaptation and effective land-use planning, green and grey infrastructure, mainstreaming probabilistic hazard maps into planning processes, reforestation, resource generation for implementing proposals, policy on payment for ecosystem services, a research-development-extension program, and multi- to inter-disciplinary collaboration.

Research outputs and dissemination

The project produced five research papers and delivered presentations, covering topics such as vulnerability assessment of the Quinali A Watershed, participatory scenario building, and approaches to resilience planning. These outputs were shared with partner LGUs and academic institutions, and will be further disseminated through conferences and publications. Three early-career researchers were mentored during the project, building human resource capacity in climate and disaster research in the Philippines.

Outcomes and results

The project increased the ability of LGUs and communities in Albay to design and implement integrated adaptation and DRR strategies. Participants reported improved knowledge of tools for assessing vulnerabilities and incorporating resilience into development planning.

The science-policy forum built stronger connections between researchers and decision-makers, fostering collaboration. However, challenges remain in sustaining momentum beyond the project period. Limited budgets, overlapping mandates, and political transitions at the local level continue to constrain long-term planning.

The project underscores the need for continued support, capacity building, and institutionalization of resilience practices to prepare communities such as those in Albay for escalating climate and disaster risks.

Key results

• 6 LGUs and 18 barangays in the Quinali A Watershed engaged in project activities.
• Exposure trip and capacity-building at UP Diliman, a results presentation and Goal Achievement Matrix workshop, and a project proposal-making workshop.
• Science-policy forum convened, linking research and decision-making.
• 5 technical papers produced and presented.
• 3 early-career researchers mentored.
• Focus group discussions and engagement activities reached more than 100 institutional and community members, including 18 barangays in the watershed.
• Improved LGU and community capacity to integrate adaptation and DRR into development plans.

Project details

Acknowledgements

This project was supported by the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN) under its Scientific Capacity Development Programme (CAPaBLE). Acknowledgements also go to the six participating LGUs of the Quinali A Watershed, local communities of Albay, and the University of the Philippines Los Baños for their collaboration and commitment.

Related information

• Project Permalink
• Project Final Report
• Singson, K.V.R., et al, 2025. Visualizing the cascading impacts of multi-hazards in three selected barangays in the Quinali A Watershed, Albay, Philippines. SciEnggJ 18 (Supplement): 61-73. https://doi.org/10.54645/202518SupIZQ-57
• Agudo GJ et al. 2025. Land Cover Change and Its Associated Impacts on Landscape Fragmentation and Flood Exposure in Quinali A Watershed, Albay, the Philippines. Philipp J Sci 154(2): 287–300. https://philjournalsci.dost.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/land-cover-change-and-its-associated-impacts-on-landscape-fragmentation_.pdf
• Mendoza, J.E., Agudo, G.J.L., Lagmay, A.M.F.A., Pulhin, J.M., Cruz, R.V.O., Santiago, J.T., Moises, M.A.M., Predo, C.D., Villamayor, M.T., Mendoza, M.D. and Peras, R.J.J., 2025. Multi-hazard probability assessment in Quinali A Watershed, Albay, Philippines. Progress in Disaster Science, p.100408. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pdisas.2025.100408
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