Abuan Integrated Watershed Program Q1FY2015 Quarterly Report

The program is implemented by Kabang Kalikasan ng Pilipinas Inc Foundation (KKPFI, also known as WWF Philippines) in partnership with local government units, research institutions, and other stakeholders. The program's progress report for Q1 FY2015 highlights several key activities and achievements. In the area of flooding, the project procured a current meter to measure river discharge and velocity, but deployment was delayed due to Typhoons Luis and Mario. However, sensor data collection from Binatacan and Abuan stations continued to stream data to the ASTI server of DOST, with peak rainfall and runoff recorded during the reporting period. The project also organized a turnover ceremony of flood maps, radios, and medical equipment to eight barangays in the Abuan watershed and the DRRM Office of Ilagan City. The LGU was able to finalize barangay boundaries using RAPIDEYE satellite maps, but land use maps and soil maps are still in progress. In the area of drought, the project continued to receive data from its 4 AWS and those from DOST station in Divilacan and BSWM AWS in Ilagan City. Minor problems in data management were encountered, but the ISU team completed the wet season sampling in CVRC, which will be used to validate the DSSAT CERES MAIZE model. The ISU team also started planting in October for the dry cropping season, using short duration 100-day corn seeds. The project organized a 3-day training activity on crop modeling using DSSAT at ISU Campus in Echague, Isabela, attended by participants from CVRC BSWM, DA Region 2, WWF, IBM Philippines, ISU, and Quirino State University. The El Nino Drought Forum was also held on November 5, attended by 118 participants from 12 barangays and 5 agencies, who identified the need for water pumps, water impounding dams, early maturing seeds, crop insurance, credit & subsidies, alternative crops and livelihoods, repair of NIA canals, deep wells, and further training. The project also installed NDVI sensors at the CVRC plot to record daily plant canopy reflectances for the dry season, which will be correlated with LAI values computed from collected plant samples. The DOST PAGASA shared its Echague daily weather data dating back to 1984, which is being assessed for quality before a time series analysis is performed. The financial analysis for Q1 FY2015 shows that actual spending of P2,290,933 was lower than the budgeted amount of P3,076,188.57, with a burn rate of 74% posted for the reporting period. Low spending was attributed to slow burn rate by third-party consultants and field costs, as well as delayed deployment of field personnel by the City LGU. There was a net positive variance of 64% in other direct costs, with savings in vehicle lease and field office costs offset by negative variance in office supplies. Spending for personnel and workshops were on target at 100% and 96%, respectively.