SIPA Philippines Successfully Held Pilot Training Workshop in Butuan City
July, 10 2024
The WWF Sustainable Infrastructure Programme in Asia (SIPA) held its Final Data Validation and Pilot Training for Toolkit Development Workshop at the Southville Hotel and Conference Center in Butuan City from June 25-27, 2024. Spearheaded by WWF SIPA Philippines’ Technical Consultant team from the University of the Philippines at Los Baños (UPLB), the workshop was themed "Working with Nature: Integrating Nature-based Solutions for Infrastructure Planning and Development.”
The workshop aimed to empower participants with the knowledge to seamlessly integrate Nature-based Solutions (NbS) into infrastructure projects, particularly focusing on linear infrastructure. Attendees were guided on prioritizing ecosystem services, understanding socio-cultural contexts, navigating stakeholder and policy dynamics, identifying suitable NbS options, and designing NbS elements, with the ultimate goal of ensuring sustainability and resilience in both existing infrastructure plans and future developments.
Participants aimed to gain a comprehensive understanding of key concepts related to NbS, identify local ecosystem services, distinguish relevant policy and institutional frameworks, and generate a list of key stakeholders involved in sustainability. Additionally, they sought to identify appropriate NbS based on priority ecosystem services and risks and develop strategies for integrating NbS into infrastructures.
The workshop was conducted face-to-face, simulating a classroom experience led by resource persons. Each module included discussions and activities designed to help participants learn how to mainstream NbS, simulate forming technical working committees, and adopt NbS sustainability in the infrastructure planning process. An assessment activity at the end verified the achievement of the expected learning outcomes.
The workshop was attended by regional and local partners:
- Butuan City GOvernment: City Building Management Department (CBMD), Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) (City Council), City Environment and Natural Resources Department (CENRD), City Engineering Office (CEO), City Planning and Development Department (CPDD), City Mayor’s Office, and City Agriculture and Veterinary Department (CAVD)
- Butuan City Barangays: Brgy. Ampayon, Brgy. Anticala, Brg. Aupagan, Brgy. Bading, Brgy. Bancasi, Brgy. Bayanihan, Brgy. Bonbon, Brgy. Golden Ribbon, Brgy. Imadejas, Brgy. Libertad, Brgy. Lumbocan, Brgy. Masao, Brgy. Nongnong, Brgy. Obrero, Brgy. Pagatpatan, Brgy. Pangabugan, Brgy. Pianing, Brgy. San Vicente, Brgy. Sto. Niño, Taguibo, and Brgy. Villa Kananga
- Caraga State University (CSU)
- Department of Environment and Natural Resources XIII (DENR CARAGA)
- Department of Public Works and Highways XIII (DPWH CARAGA)
- Department of the Interior and Local Government XIII (DILG-CARAGA)
- Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU)
- Friendship Goals Society Caraga - Butuan Inc. (FGSCBI)
- Ladlad Caraga Inc.
- National Economic and Development Authority XIII (NEDA CARAGA)
- Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration XIII (PAGASA Region XIII)
- Propegemus Foundation Inc.