TACLOBAN CITY — As climate impacts grow more frequent and severe across Eastern Visayas, Borongan City is ramping up its resilience strategy by deepening its partnership with the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) under the Climate Resilient Cities–Nature-based Urban Resilience Through Unifying and Responsive Engagement (CRC–Nurture) Project.
In a coordination meeting on December 9, members of the CRC–Nurture Technical Working Group (TWG) met with CRS specialists to identify priority sites for nature-based interventions that can help strengthen the city’s protection against floods, erosion, and other climate-related risks. The session was facilitated by CRC Urban Development Specialist Bing Janer and Forester Vina Glorioso-Bernardino, with Acting Mayor Emmanuel Tiu Sonco and key city department heads in attendance.
Acting Mayor Sonco emphasized the importance of harnessing natural systems in safeguarding communities, noting that Borongan’s upland villages must be equipped with better knowledge and tools to adapt to changing weather patterns. He said proactive planning is vital as the city faces increasingly unpredictable climate conditions.
A key initiative under discussion is the enhancement of the Hebacong Model Farm. The plan includes introducing high-value, fruit-bearing trees to complement existing apiculture and floriculture activities supported by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Managed by the Borongan Integrated Apiculture and Floriculture Farmers’ Association (BIAFFA), the farm is envisioned as a sustainable livelihood center, eco-tourism site, and a contributor to the city’s growing forest cover.
The partnership also offers opportunities to integrate nature-based design into urban infrastructure. With the support of CRC–Nurture, the City Engineering Office will explore improvements to Baybay Boulevard Park and the Lo-om River sidewalk—projects aimed at combining green landscapes with functional spaces to enhance urban climate resilience.
Agricultural resilience is likewise a priority. The City Agriculturist’s Office plans to collaborate with CRC–Nurture on strategies to shield high-value crops from extreme conditions, ensuring Borongan’s food security. The proposed establishment of a biological laboratory will further support natural pest control and adaptive farming technologies.
CRC–Nurture, funded by the United Kingdom’s Climate Action for a Resilient Asia (CARA) Program, focuses on co-creating inclusive and community-centered nature-based solutions. Borongan is among only three Philippine cities selected for the partnership, alongside Legazpi and Zamboanga.
The TWG is scheduled to reconvene early next year to craft detailed project proposals, solidifying Borongan City’s commitment to building a greener and more climate-resilient future.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
