The Abuan Integrated Watershed Program Q1FY2015 QUARTERLY REPORT

Prepared for USAID AID-492-G-12-00007

Submitted to: Joanne Dulce, Agreement Officer Representative, USAID Oliver Agoncillo, Alternate Agreement Officer Representative, USAID Philippines

Copies to: Ava Cristina Palmaria,Program Specialist, USAID Philippines [email protected]

By: Kabang Kalikasan ng Pilipinas Inc Foundation (KKPFI, also known as WWF Philippines)

Submitted on: January 26, 2015

Contacts: Ed Tongson Luz Teresa Baskinas Project Director VP-Project Development KKPFI/ WWF Philippines KKPFI/ WWF Philippines 4F JBD Plaza, 65 Mindanao Ave, Quezon City 4F JBD Plaza, 65 Mindanao Ave, Quezon City Phone: +63-2-920-7926 loc 16/Fax: +63-2-426-3927 Phone: +63-2-920-7926 /Fax: +63-2-426-3927 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

This document was made possible through generous support provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The views and opinions expressed in this document are those of the authors and are not intended as statements of policy of the USAID nor the author’s parent organization.

Progress Report for Q1 FY2015.

This progress report presents the status of planned activities as submitted in its approved work and financial plan for FY15. The GANTT chart for FY15 (Figure 1) provides the framework against which the status of each planned activity is reported. The black bar across the blue box indicates percent level of completion.

A status summary of activities planned for the reporting period, Oct 1 - Dec 31, 2014 follows:

1. Flooding

1.1 River discharge measurements

This activity links the flood discharge measurements from the flood model for the Abuan watershed with the water level readings from water level sensors installed in the Bintacan and Abuan rivers. A current meter is a device that is submerged below the river to measure its velocity at different depths. These readings will produce a rating curve which shows the graphical relationship between discharge, measured in cubic meters per second, with river depth, measured in meters. The current meter was procured and accessories fabricated, improving on the design currently used by the Project DREAM of DOST. Although the current meter is ready for deployment, it was not yet ready when Typhoons Luis and Mario occurred in September. There were no storms nor flood events during the reporting period. Hence no readings were made.

1.2 Sensor data collection

Rainfall and water level sensors from Binatacan and Abuan stations continue to stream SMS data to the ASTI server of DOST. Two major storms - Typhoon Luis and Mario - visited NE Luzon in September. Peak rainfall from AWS and peak runoff along Abuan river were recorded and showed lag time estimated at 3 hours.

1.3 Turnover of DRRM Equipment and Flood Maps

On November 6, the City LGU of and the AIWMP organized a turnover ceremony of flood maps, radios and medical equipment for use by eight barangays of the Abuan watershed and the DRRM Office of Ilagan City. Mr. Jeremy Gustaffson, Dir. OEECC, and Ava Cristina Palmara, Program Operations Specialist - both of USAID Philipines - attended the turnover ceremonies. Both met with project staff and visited the 6 AWS installed by the project.

1.4 Land Use Mapping/Validation c/o LGU

The LGU was able to finalize their boundaries using the RAPIDEYE satellite maps procured by the project. However, the land use maps and soil maps are still works in progress. Land use surveys and soil sampling were led by staff from planning and environment and natural resources (ENR) office with WWF consultant, Prof. Perfecto Evangelista, providing guidance and technical support to LGU personnel. Soil samples were completed and shipped to Manila for analysis.

1.5 CLUP/CDP Formulation

The City LGU hired an urban planner, Palafox and Associates, to review and update the Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Comprehensive Development Plan of the City. The consultant is well-known to introduce flood resilient designs in its development projects. This provides a convenient entry point for the project to mainstream DRRM maps and policies into the CLUP and CDP.

2. Drought

2.1 Sensor data Collection (wet season)

The project continues 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 such as missing data, incomplete data and no data due to malfunctioning sensors. Soil moisture sensors were also found to be most prone to damage.

2.2 Model Calibration

The ISU team completed the wet season sampling in CVRC. This will be used to validate the DSSAT CERES MAIZE model initially developed and calibrated during the preceding season. The ISU team started planting in October for the dry cropping season (October - March). Short duration 100-day corn seeds were planted for this season. These seeds are preferred and used by farmers when an El Nino is expected to occur. The ISU contract for FY15 is yet to be signed pending approval by USAID.

2.3 Model Presentation/Training

On Dec 8-10, the ISU Echague team led by Prof Balderama organized a 3-day training activity on crop modeling using Decision Support System for Agri-Technology Transfer (DSSAT) at ISU Campus in Echague, . Participants from CVRC BSWM, DA Region 2, WWF, IBM Philippines, ISU and State University attended the training.

2.4 El Nino Drought Forum

One hundred eighteen participants - 94 male and 24 female - from 12 barangays and 5 agencies attended the El Nino Forum on Nov 5 at St. Ferdinand Colleges to learn and discuss the latest El Nino forecasts and to arrive at contingency plans for 2015 in case of a dry spell event. In their action plans, participants 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.

2.5 NDVI-LAI Sensor Data Collection

NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) sensors were installed at the CVRC plot to record daily plant canopy reflectances for the dry season. The NDVI values will be correlated with LAI values computed from collected plant samples in CVRC, and LAI with dry biomass to estimate yields. This will allow the DOST to analyze future satellite products, measure canopy greenness using NDVI and to validate forecasts of crop yields.

2.6 Field Sampling (dry and wet)

The ISU team started field sampling using early maturing (100-day) seeds at the CVRC station. The WWF staff started field sampling activities in the WWF plots - CVRC, Villa Imelda, Cabizera 10 and Sindon Bayabo. Destructive sampling was reduced to once a month.

2.7 Climate Change model downscaling - Echague Station

The DOST PAGASA shared its Echague daily weather data dating back to 1984. There were missing years, mislabeled columns, and encoding errors. The quality of the data is being assessed before a time series analysis is performed.

2.8 NDVI time series and automation

This activity is performed by UP-IESM as its contribution to crop area forecasting module of the FDSS.

2.9 Data Wareshousing, FDSS set up

This activity is performed by IBM Philippines as its contribution to SMS-based point model crop forecasting module and advisory to farmers. The IBM team presented its preliminary work in Dec 8 during the DSSAT training at ISU Echague.

2.10 IEC Plan development (not shown)

Ms Vanessa Carriedo, IEC consultant, carried out FGDs to assess information and technology needs of stakeholders; identified information channels; expected actions and gender concerns in order to arrive at an IEC strategy in Abuan. The study listed the issues related to accuracy, timeliness and credibility of weather forecasts and pointed to the use of TV and radios as preferred means of communications. The IEC strategy was formulated. The farmer decision support system which includes seasonal and daily forecasts will be introduced during the annual farmers field day organized by the Department of Agriculture.

Figure 1: GANTT Chart, Q1FY15

Financial Analysis, Q1FY2015

1. Actual spending of P2,290,933 was lower than budgeted amount of P3,076,188.57. A burn rate of 74% was posted for the reporting period.

2. Low spending was attributed to slow (51%) burn rate by third party consultants and 31% burn rate of related field costs. Two consultants from ISU Echague - crop modeler and IEC officer - have been budgeted but had not been paid pending approval by USAID of their consultancy contracts. The agronomist was not able to complete the agricultural, land use and soil maps during the reporting period due to delayed deployment by the City LGU of their field personnel.

3. There was net positive variance of 64% in other direct costs. There were savings in vehicle lease and field office costs which is offset by negative variance in office supplies.

4. Spending for personnel and workshops are on target at100% and 96% respectively.