Aside from visiting recycling plants and research facilities, the group also received an orientation regarding eco-town projectswhich include: Riverbasin Management and Eco-Tourism in Kyoto, Paper Recycling Facility in Yokohama, Shonan-kaigan Erosion Control Forest n Kawasaki, and Kawasaki Environmental Research Institute.
Likewise, the delegation visited the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) in Yokohama where they were given a brief seminar on various climate change adaptation and mitigation initiatives being undertaken by IGES. The projects discussed include integrated climate resilient land use planning in the Philippines; sustainable and resilient cities in Japan; Y-Port: A global standard smart city in Japan; City to city collaboration: A Kawasaki scenario; environmentally responsible transportation in Japan; and policy applications for Low Carbon Navigator at city level.
IGES was established in March 1998 under an initiative of the Japanese government and with the support of Kanagawa Prefecture based on the Charter for the Establishment of the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies. The aim of the Institute is to achieve a new paradigm for civilization and conduct innovative policy development and strategic research for environmental measures, reflecting the results of research into political decisions for realizing sustainable development both in the Asia-Pacific region and globally.
Dr. Ancha Srinivasan, ADB Principal Climate Change Specialist-Southeast Asia Department, expressed that there are many possibilities of having joint undertakings between IGES and ADB TA 8493 with the Government of the Philippines (GOP), which may include sharing of information and best practices, conferences and workshops, as well as planning exercises in developing local climate change action road maps. He further stressed the importance of strengthening the synergism and collaboration among different institutions in the region, in particular, the capacity building of LGUs towards Climate Change Adaption and Green Growth Options.
The participants from the LGUs included Hon. Mayor John Bongat (Naga City), Hon. Mayor Eugenio Lagasca, Jr. (San Fernando, Camarines Sur), Hon. Mayor Arturo Monday and Mr. Johanes Morales (Baganga, Davao Oriental), Hon. Councilor Danny Cruz (Cainta), Ms. Federica Rentoy and Ms. Ma. Teresa M. Mariano (Quezon City), Ms. Gloria Buenaventura (Marikina City), Engr. William Menes (Milaor, Camarines Sur), Ms. Emilou Nuñez (Cateel, Davao Oriental), Mr. Ricardo Victor A. Velasco (Provincial Government of Davao Oriental), and Ms. Maria Angelica Monica Salud Mamuyac (Department of Interior and Local Government).
Also with the group were Dr. Ancha Srinivasan of ADB; Mr. Alexis Lapiz of CCC; Dr. Lope B. Santos III, SEARCA Program Specialist and Officer in Charge of Project Development and Technical Services; Dr. Teodoro Villanueva, ADB TA 8493 National Climate Change Adaptation: Deputy Team Leader and Forestry Vulnerability and Impacts Assessment Specialist; Dr. Paulo Pasicolan, ADB TA 8493 National Climate Change Capacity Building Specialist; and Dr. Takayuki Hatano, ADB TA 8493 International Natural Resource Management Economist.
The visit was facilitated by the Consortium of SEARCA, CTI Engineering Japan, Ergons Project Management, and Woodfields Consultants, Inc.
