CSPC, FRS, and LGU Balatan Forge Partnership for Phase 2 of Project APAW
Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges (CSPC), Forum de Religiosos para la Salud Organization Inc. (FRS), and LGU Balatan signed a ₱979,236.00 Memorandum of Agreement on March 31, 2026, to launch Phase 2 of Project APAW—expanding AI-driven micro-weather forecasting and flood early warning systems to the Cabungan and Montenegro spillways in Balatan, Camarines Sur.
In a continued effort to strengthen disaster resilience and promote community safety through technological innovation, Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges (CSPC), Forum de Religiosos para la Salud Organization Inc. (FRS), and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Balatan formally entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on March 31, 2026, in Balatan, Camarines Sur. The agreement covers the second phase of “Project APAW: Harnessing Micro-Weather Forecasting and Flood Detection with AI and Data Analytics for Cabungan and Montenegro Spillway, Balatan, Camarines Sur, Philippines,” backed by a total funding allocation of ₱979,236.00.
Building upon the successes and insights gained from its initial rollout, Phase 2 aims to enhance localized disaster preparedness by deploying tailored micro-weather forecasting systems and flood detection technologies. Specifically, the project will establish two additional data collection sites at the Cabungan and Montenegro spillways—areas strategically selected for their high susceptibility to flooding and their critical role in providing timely early warning signals to nearby residents. Integrating real-time environmental data with AI-driven analytics will allow local authorities and communities to take proactive, preventive measures to safeguard lives and property.
During the ceremony, the three partner institutions reaffirmed their shared commitment to proactive disaster risk reduction:
Funding Agency (FRS): Represented by Philippines Coordinator Alfonso Nuñez Corvinos and Local Coordinator Reynato S. Caño, FRS emphasized the value of investing in innovative, community-centered solutions to address pressing environmental challenges.
Cooperating Agency (LGU Balatan): Municipal Mayor Hon. Domingo T. Abliter highlighted the project’s vital role in protecting low-lying and high-risk areas from recurring floods. He was joined by Atty. Domingo Saldo Jr., Municipal Treasurer and Municipal Administrator Designee, who reiterated the LGU’s support for the project's sustainability.
Implementing Agency (CSPC): Represented by SUC President III Dr. Amado A. Oliva Jr. and Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Collaboration Dr. Challiz D. Omorog, CSPC underscored the role of academic institutions in translating applied research into practical community solutions. Also in attendance to show institutional support were Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Jocelyn O. Jintalan, AI Research Center for Community Development (AIRCoDe) Head Joseph Jessie S. Oñate, and College of Computer Studies (CCS) Dean Rosel O. Onesa.
The Phase 2 implementation is led by Project Leader Ms. Kaela Marie N. Fortuno, alongside technical staff members Hazel V. Reyes and Roner P. Abanil, with community engagement and extension components supported by CCS Extensionists Tiffany Lyn O. Pandes and Allan Ibo Jr.
By combining AI innovation with grassroots engagement, Project APAW serves as a model for interdisciplinary collaboration—equipping Balatan with the tools and knowledge needed to build long-term climate resilience across Camarines Sur.