To provide and develop the foundational and applied knowledge of researchers and watershed managers, the 1st Training Workshop on the Innovative Applications of Geographic Information System (GIS), Remote Sensing, and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for Watershed Characterization and Vulnerability Assessment, was held on August 24–27, 2026, at the Doña Jovita Garden Resort, Calamba, Laguna, and was attended by researchers and watershed managers from Regions IV-A (CALABARZON), IV-B (MIMAROPA), V (Bicol Region), and the National Capital Region (NCR).
The training-workshop was hosted by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) through the Forestry and Environment Research Division (FERD) and Institution Development Division (IDD).
Participants were trained on the standard protocols for acquiring, monitoring, and mapping watershed data in the country. This is directed towards addressing challenges in watershed management, particularly the effects of climate change, improper land-use conversion, and extreme weather events, which could be alleviated through proper watershed characterization and vulnerability assessment.
Dr. Melvin B. Carlos, DOST-PCAARRD Deputy Executive Director for Administration, Resource Management and Support Services, opened the event with a welcome message, highlighting the Council’s strong commitment to strengthening Research and Development (R&D) as an important means of addressing the various challenges affecting Philippine forests and watersheds. He expressed the importance of continuous monitoring and collaboration in advancing initiatives for the conservation and sustainable management of the watersheds in the country.
Dr. Fezoil Luz C. Decena, IDD Director, also shared her message of support for the activity and emphasized the significance of enhancing capabilities for the monitoring and characterization of vital watersheds in the Philippines. She highlighted the importance of watershed management and vulnerability assessment, especially in reducing the effects of climate change. She noted that the initiative will contribute to addressing challenges in watershed management, climate resilience, and environmental sustainability.
Dr. Dalisay E. Cabral, FERD Director, presented the training rationale, elaborated on the training expectations, and shared that the training was certified by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) for foresters. She also indicated priority areas to help the trainees align their concept proposals during the workshop.
The first day of the training included an introduction to Watershed Characterization and Vulnerability Assessment and its other aspects, such as physical and biological characterization. The succeeding days focused on social characterization, field data collection and methodology, data analysis, application of geospatial techniques, and introduction of UAS and advanced techniques in aerial photogrammetry. The resource persons from the training were staff from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), led by Dr. Cristino L. Tiburan Jr (Watershed Characterization and GIS Applications), together with For. Adrian Pablo V. Sasi (Physical Characterization), Prof. Arthur Glenn A. Umali (Biological Characterization: Flora), Prof. Neil Jun S. Lobite (Biological Characterization: Fauna), Dr. Peter Jerome B. Del Rosario (Social Characterization), Prof. Jayson L. Arizapa (Remote Sensing Applications), and For. Leonardo D. Barua (Unmanned Aerial Systems Applications). The sessions combined technical group discussions, field activities, and practical exercises to strengthen the participants’ skills and competency in watershed management.
To better appreciate the concept of watershed characterization and vulnerability assessment, a hands-on field demonstration was also held in UPLB-College of Forestry and Natural Resources (CFNR). The biological characterization aspect of the training, including floral and faunal assessment, was conducted at the PFLA 1 in UPLB-CFNR, while the GIS application, Remote Sensing, and Social Characterization were held at Doña Jovita Garden Resort, Calamba.
As part of the training-workshop outputs, participants were required to craft and present a concept proposal or action plan related to their learnings for possible funding and implementation in their respective offices.
Dr. Juanito T. Batalon, Deputy Executive Director for Research and Development of DOST-PCAARRD, delivered the closing remarks and congratulated the participants for completing the four-day training workshop. He highlighted the need to create research proposals that are in line with the Harmonized National Research and Development Agenda (HNRDA) and the DOST-PCAARRD Watershed S&T Roadmap. Moreover, Dr. Batalon urged the participants to identify research gaps and emerging issues in their respective watersheds. Additionally, he reiterated DOST-PCAARRD's dedication to funding pertinent R&D projects that convert research into solutions for resilient and sustainable watershed management.
The training-workshop was attended by 29 participants from 21 agencies and offices, which include: Bicol University–Guinobatan, Cavite State University, Department of Environment and Natural Resources–MIMAROPA (DENR-MIMAROPA), DENR–CALABARZON, DENR Region V, DENR–PENRO Cavite, DENR–Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (DENR-ERDB), DENR–Forest Management Bureau (DENR-FMB), Department of Science and Technology–Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI), DOST-PCAARRD, Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems (MCME), Mindoro State University, Palawan State University, Partido State University, Romblon State University, Sorsogon State University–Castilla Campus, UPLB Forestry Development Center (UPLB-FDC), UPLB–CFNR–Institute of Renewable Natural Resources (UPLB-CFNR-IRNR), UPLB–Department of Community and Environmental Resource Planning (UPLB-DCERP), UPLB Interdisciplinary Studies Center for Integrated Natural Resources and Environment Management (UPLB-INREM), and Western Philippines University.