The WILUP team, along with the “The Integration of Traditional and Modern Bioproduction Systems for a Sustainable and Resilient Future Under Climate and Ecosystem Changes” (ITMoB) project team, met with honorable Mayor Lany Baobaoen Carbonell and honorable Vice Mayor Ramolito Guinomma to discuss their respective project objectives and proposals. The Sangguniang Bayan of San Gabriel was also present during the presentations and actively engaged in the Q&A.

Dr. Rex Victor Cruz, WILUP watershed expert, delivered a brief lecture on the Ridge-to-Reef approach, which is one of the advocacy project’s primary objectives. Dr. Cruz emphasized the need for the LGU planning unit to use the R2R model in formulating development plans such as the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP). The project also aims to unify the guidelines for drafting development plans, as well as drafting policies across various private and government agencies. According to Dr. Cruz, interagency collaboration is the only way to accomplish this harmonization.