The Thai delegation embarked on a transformative on-site learning experience on Ecosystem-Based Adaptation (EbA) in Kabankalan, Philippines, immersing themselves in the local community alongside Filipinos.

In a collaborative effort to foster cross-border knowledge exchange, GIZ, through the project “Enhancing Climate Resilience in Thailand through Effective Water Management and Sustainable Agriculture (E-WMSA)”, a joint initiative between United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Royal Irrigation Department with funding from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), organised a four-day learning visit to the Philippines from November 28 to December 1, 2023 for 14 Thai representatives. The group, comprised of officials from the Royal Irrigation Department, representatives from the Office of National Water Resources, and water user group representatives from Phitsanulok province, engaged in a comprehensive exploration of the GIZ Philippines’ Ecosystem-based management and ecosystem services valuation in two river basins in the Philippines (E2RB) project. The focus of the visit was the successful implementation of Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) in the Ilog-Hilabangan river basin. Partnerships with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and a network of relevant governmental agencies, private sectors, and local communities have made this initiative a success.

The learning visit’s overarching objective was to facilitate knowledge exchange and discussions with local practitioners and stakeholders. The discussions revolved around implementing EbA measures in a participatory manner, and addressing operational challenges and opportunities in implementing water resource management. It will consider adapting concepts and processes from the experience of the Philippines to be applied to the context of the E-WMSA project’s pilot areas in Phitsanulok, Sukhothai and Uttaradit provinces.

EbA adaption into policy planning presented by Nana Kuenkel, Project Director

The initial part of the programme encompassed a series of information-sharing sessions covering diverse topics, from upstream forest deforestation to restoration through the establishment of local conservation areas (LCA) to midstream challenges posed by agricultural expansion. The initiative encourages planting local flora along the riverbanks to prevent erosion, and creating buffer zones between protected areas and urban/agricultural lands to reduce sediment and chemical contaminants in waterways. A CSR project through district water producers focuses on environmental conservation by empowering indigenous youth groups in the upstream area to restore forests. Additionally, efforts to restore mangrove forests in downstream areas address coastal degradation while creating sustainable income for local communities. Participants engaged with representatives at both the national and local levels, including the River Basin Control Office (RBCO) and DENR, along with municipal and Barangay (village) leaders. Interactions extended to a social entrepreneur, ensuring a holistic understanding of the project’s impact on diverse stakeholders.

The final part and a standout feature of the learning visit was the first-hand exploration of EbA measures in water management, spotlighting a native Filipino plant, the Miagos bush (Homonoia Riparia). This green infrastructure plays a crucial role in stabilising riverbanks and mitigating the effects of typhoons. To reach the site, participants experienced bamboo rafting along the midstream of the Ilog-Hilabangan, promoting eco-tourism as an initiative to generate alternative income for local communities.

Towards the end of the visit, the Thai participants noted the presence of local riparian plants in the Yom-Nam River basin, which are similar to the Miagos bush in the Philippines. Remarkably, it was observed by the locals that some plants can thrive under both flood and drought conditions, predominantly in rocky soil conditions due to their roots. However, the context of the Philippines is different from Thailand. It is necessary to understand the context of the area before identifying a suitable EbA measure to apply. Additionally, the community should benefit both in terms of income and the biodiversity that occurs.

The insights gained from this learning visit highlight the importance of inter-agency collaboration and policy support in addressing the effectiveness of water management. The shared knowledge and experiences will undoubtedly contribute to the development of more robust and effective strategies for mainstreaming EbA into grey infrastructure to build resilience against climate change impacts.