SWIM R&D Center: water-related solutions for sustainable communities

THE recently launched Smart Water Infrastructure and Management (SWIM) Research and Development (R&D) Center intends to provide community-tailored comprehensive water resources management plans for Batanes, Quirino, Cauayan and Nueva Vizcaya. It is also expanding its R&D jurisdiction from the Magat Dam to the Angat Dam and the Cagayan de Oro River Basin.

Its outputs support House Bill 10023's designation of the Isabela State University (ISU), which established SWIM, as the National Center Water Resources University in the Philippines. ISU's statements also claim that SWIM is the country's first and only Niche Center in the Regions for R&D focused on integrated water resources management problems.

SWIM R&D Center serves as the university's «long-term fitting response to build resilient and empowered communities in mitigating impacts of extreme weather occurrences and water-related risks in the country and its nearby nations.»

It also reflects the ISU's goal of «leveraging science-technology contribution as the footprint of sustainability progress and development in our country,» said Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr., who led the inauguration ceremony.

The center's significant outputs displayed during the ceremony were the contextualized water resources comprehensive plans, SWIM's upcoming multidisciplinary projects, strategic partnerships, the 2nd International Symposium on Integrated Flood and Sediment Management in River Basin for Sustainable Development or FSmart 2024 and the center's website showcasing its accomplishments and current deliverables.

Rep. Faustino «Inno» Arcega Dy V and the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) provided funding support for the facility. Orlando Balderama, SWIM program leader and vice president for research and development, extension and training, and ISU President Ricmar Aquino drove the initiative.

Balderama, Dy and Aquino were present during the ceremony along with DoST Undersecretary for Regional Operations Sancho Mabborang; DoST-Region 2 Director Virginia Bilgera; and Councilor Alfredo Alili is representing, Mayor Francis Faustino «Kiko» Dy.

An open forum during the event revolved around