On August 9, 2022, Dr. Rex Victor Cruz, project staff and watershed expert, led the team of the advocacy project “Institutionalization of Guidelines on Watershed Integrated Area Land Use Planning Towards Resiliency” (WILUP) on a courtesy visit and project presentation to the provincial government of La Union. WILUP team and “The Integration of Traditional and Modern Bioproduction Systems for a Sustainable and Resilient Future Under Climate and Ecosystem Changes” (ITMoB), headed by Dr. Juan Pulhin, officially spoke with the new provincial leadership under Governor Raphaelle Veronica Ortega David to introduce the two projects being conducted in the province. 

Both project teams presented before Governor Ortega-David; however, in the absence of Vice-Governor Mario Eduardo Ortega, Gerard G. Ostrea, SP Committee member acted as the temporary presiding officer during the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. 

Dr. Cruz outlined the project objectives, which entail assisting with the implementation of the proposed guidelines on watershed integrated area land use planning (WILUP). He stressed the need to adopt the R2R approach to strengthen the resilience and sustainability of watersheds, ecosystems, and communities. Furthermore, the project intends to expand LGUs’ awareness and technical knowledge of watershed management, which can be employed in formulating development plans such as comprehensive land use planning (CLUP).

During his presentation, Dr. Cruz also proposed that if the Governor is interested, the project might help with the updating of La Union’s Provincial Development Physical Framework Plan (PDPFP) that would adopt the R2R/WEM framework.

Furthermore, Dr. Cruz and Dr. Pulhin underlined the project proposals to the provincial governments, particularly addressing the Office of the Governor. One of the proposals is the issuance of an Executive Order directing the appointment of focal individuals from the Provincial and Municipal LGU in coordination with the WILUP and ITMoB teams. 

Likewise, the project proponents sought the Office of the Governor to help co-organize meetings and engage with the different municipalities in coordinating efforts within the Baroro Watershed. The joint coordination would serve to increase project publicity and allow smooth communication with the concerned MLGUs. It would also aid in better educating the community about the project’s objectives and strengthen the capacity of the various stakeholders in Baroro.

Finally, the projects proposed to the Governor’s Office and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to release a policy document endorsing and supporting the project implementation of both WILUP and ITMoB.

The two projects, as well as the issues and concerns highlighted, were referred to the SP Committees, including the lead committee of Housing, Land Use, and Relocation, as well as the SP Committees on Public Works and Utilities, Environment, Human Ecology, and Security, and Finance, Budget, and Appropriations.

The courtesy visits and project presentations concluded with Governor Ortega and SP members’ enthusiasm and approval. They expressed their interest and willingness to collaborate with the WILUP and ITMoB teams in accomplishing their targets for the province of La Union as one of the two projects’ sites.