1. Date and Venue

Date

5 - 7 February, 2019

Venue

Japi Hotel, Cauayan City, Isabela, Philippines

Organizer/ Sponsors

Asian Development Bank (ADB)

Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI)

Cagayan River Basin Management Council (CBRMC)

Civil Engineering Research Institute for Cold Region (CERI)

Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources-River Basin Control Office (DENR-RBCO)

International River Foundation

Isabela State University (ISU): Host Organization

Japan Water Agency (JWA)

Network of Asian River Basin Organizations (NARBO)

National Irrigation Admin.-Magat River Integrated Irrigation System

Oceana Gold, Inc

*Alphabetical order

Secretariat

Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI)

Isabela State University (ISU): Host Organization

Japan Water Agency (JWA)

Network of Asian River Basin Organizations (NARBO)

2. Theme

Mainstreaming Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management in Integrated Water Resources Management of River Basins in Monsoon Asia

3. Background

The world community has recognized the importance of managing water resources in a more integrated manner. Over the past decades, a series of regional and global water conferences, including the World Water Forums in 1997, 2000, and 2003, have underlined the need to adopt and operationalize the approach of integrated water resources management (IWRM), which is defined by the Global Water Partnership as "a process to improve the planning, conservation, development, and management of water, forest, land, and aquatic resources in a river basin context, to maximize economic benefits and social welfare in an equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of vital environmental systems."

By focusing on the management of water and related resources in a river basin context, it is implied that IWRM will be undertaken at basin level with the involvement of stakeholders at the basin level. The water conference in Dublin in 1992 referred to the need to manage water resources at the lowest appropriate level. This has become one of the basic principles underpinning the IWRM approach, and it has led to increased recognition that river basin organizations (RBOs) can realize IWRM at the basin level.

Recognizing the need for networking and capacity development in the implementation of IWRM, the Asian Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank Institute, and the Japan Water Agency decided at the 3rd World Water Forum in March 2003 in Kyoto, Japan, to collaborate in establishing a Network of Asian River Basin Organizations (NARBO).

In the Philippines, River Basins and watersheds are identified as strategic platform in the implementation of the Republic Act 10121(Disaster Risk Reduction Management Act), Republic Act 9729 (Climate Change Act) and Republic Act 10174 (The People's Survival Fund). Using the River Basin Masterplans approved by Regional Development Councils as guide, it is expected that regional and local climate and disaster risk reduction and management plans, programs and activities should be formulated and implemented. As required by law, there is a need for institutionalizing Climate Change Adaptation/Disaster Risk Reduction Management (CCA/DRRM) policies, structures, coordination mechanisms, plans, programs, projects and activities with continuing budget appropriation from all levels of governance.

The River Basin Control Office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources spearheads the implementation of The Philippine National Integrated Water Resources Management Framework Plan in river basins. This plan provides directions for mainstreaming IWRM and for preparation of river basin plans. It covers Protection and regulation for

1. water security and ecosystem health i.e. efficient and ecologically sustainable water allocation, groundwater management and aquifer protection, clean and healthy water, risk management (water related disasters and climate change);
2. Water availability and services for present and future needs, Water conservation/stewardship Water use efficiency Access to affordable and responsive water supply and sanitation;
3. Effectiveness, accountability, and synergy among institutions and stakeholders: participatory water governance and supportive enabling environment Knowledge management and IWRM capacity-building;
4. Innovative responses to future challenges.

There is a growing sense of urgency around to improve their ability to recognize the necessity to sustain effective implementation of IWRM in River Basin and the need to capacitate those agencies responsible in River Basin governance, hence this proposal.

4. Objectives

The training generally aimed at enhancing capacities of managers and practitioners of river basin management on IWRM through knowledge sharing of principles and practices from Asia and helping achieve effective implementation of IWRM in the future. It will specifically achieve the following objectives:

• Promotion of rural development and food security through strengthened River Basin Organizations;
• Explore the state of water insecurity in the region focus on Philippines and Cagayan River Basin and identify supply/demand gaps;
• Provide platform for knowledge sharing on principles and implementation practices of sustainable IWRM on monsoon river basins in Asia;
• Introduce IWRM analytical tools for performance assessment, decision support and governance;
• Develop action plans for sustainable river basin management i.e. education, capacity building, R&D, implementation and partnership

5. Outline of the training workshop

Target Participants

• 50-60 (NARBO members, DENR-RBCO, IWRM officers of Phil. major river basins, ADB water related projects, selected SUC's, key personnel of CRBMC)
• Target participants consist of the persons who are responsible for implementation of water resource management through IWRM approach.

Task

Participants are requested to make a presentation for Country/River Basin Report on Day 1 before joining the training-workshop.

• Current situation of river basin management in each RBO
• Success stories regarding implementation of IWRM in each RBO
• Current issues/agendas to be addressed on implementation of IWRM in each RBO

Official Language

Registration

Registration will be proceeded on an online basis. Please submit the application form after filling in the required information through following URL to NARBO Secretariat (info@narbo.org) no later than 5 Jan 2019.

Applicants from the Philippines should apply to:

Tentative Program (TBD)

* Detailed program will be as follows (and may be changed as necessary).

6. Administrative information

Training Location and Dates

Japi Hotel, Cauayan City, Isabela, Philippines
Dates: 5-7 February, 2019

Registration and Training Fee

• Philippine Participant: PHP 7000 (twin sharing room, meals, training kit, technical tour)
• Foreign Participant: USD 200 (single room, 2meals, training kit, technical tour)

VISA Requirements

International attendees are responsible for obtaining a visa to enter the Philippines if required. Start the process early, as this can take some time. Check with the embassy in your country for visa requirement information: www.embassyworld.org

Airport

1. Ninoy Aquino International Airport (code: MNL)
2. Cauayan Airport (code: CYZ) - Cebu Pacific Airline, with daily flights

7. Contact

Please contact the following NARBO secretariat through email if you have any inquiries concerning this announcement.