Project Kickoff

A coordinated start.
A more resilient Tarlac.

Two-day kickoff for the provincial flood mitigation and drainage master plan.

October 15–16, 2026

Thursday and Friday

Tarlac Agricultural University

Camiling, Tarlac

15–16OCT
2026

Program as of October 2026. Schedule and speakers are subject to change.

Program of Activities

Venue: TAU Student Alumni Center

08:00–08:30
Registration and distribution of materials
08:30–08:40
Opening formalities
Prayer
National Anthem
Tarlac Hymn
08:40–08:50
Welcome Remarks
Dr. Silverio Ramon DC Salunson
Tarlac Agricultural University
08:50–09:00
Message of Support
Hon. Christian Tell A. Yap
Governor, Province of Tarlac
09:10–09:20
Statement of Purpose / Introduction of the Guest Speaker
Hon. Jaime Eduardo Marc D. Cojuangco
Representative, 1st District, Tarlac
09:20–09:30
Message of the Guest Speaker
DPWH Secretary Vince B. Dizon
09:30–10:00
Photo opportunity and morning break
10:00–10:30
Project NOAH framework for science-based flood-risk planning
Dr. Alfredo Mahar A. Lagmay
Executive Director, Project NOAH / UP Resilience Institute
10:30–11:30
DPWH flood-mitigation framework and Oplan Kontra Baha
USec. Charles T. Calima, Head of Oplan Kontra Baha
USec. Nick A. Conti, Planning Service
RD Arnold R. Ocampo, DPWH Region III
DE Hermon G. Ines, Tarlac DEO
DE Edward Ricardo G. Ramos, Tarlac 2nd DEO
11:30–12:30
Open forum: cross-boundary issues and preliminary priorities
12:30–01:00
Lunch
01:00–01:30
Historical background and geographic pattern of flooding in Tarlac
RD Shelby A. Ruiz, OCD Region III
Mr. Marvin Guiang, Provincial DRRMO
01:30–02:00
Rainfall, climate projections, forecasting, and hydrometeorological data
RD Julius Caesar Sicat, DOST III
Deputy Admin Roy A. Badilla, PAGASA
02:00–03:00
Irrigation, reservoirs, waterways, and flood-management interface
RD Christian Manalo, NIA Region III
Engr. Alvin Manuel, UPRIIS Department Manager
Engr. Arnel Alipio, Tarlac IMO
03:00–03:45
Watershed, environmental and geospatial inputs, dredging, and permitting considerations
Director Alvin Laurio, NAMRIA
RED Ralph Pablo, DENR RO III
RD Glenn Marcelo Noble, MGB ROIII
RD Martin Despi, EMB RO III
PENRO and concerned CENROs
03:45–04:45
Development, agriculture, academe, and private-sector integration note
RD Nerissa Esguerra, DEPDev RO III
RD Aracelli San Jose, DILG RO3
RD Ed Lapuz, DA RO3
Dr. Silverio Salunson, TAU President
Dr. Jasper Jay Mendoza, TSU President
04:45–05:30
Open forum: cross-boundary issues and preliminary priorities

Purpose and expected outputs

The two-day kickoff brings national agencies, provincial and local governments, the academe, and other partners together to establish a common understanding of Tarlac's flood and drainage challenges and begin a practical master-planning process.

Shared evidence base

Initial mapping of flood hotspots, drainage connections, watersheds, existing projects, and data gaps.

Institutional coordination

Technical Working Group, drainage-cluster leads, agency and LGU focal persons, and data-sharing arrangements.

Planning roadmap

Priority studies, field validation, potential mitigation measures, responsibilities, and a timetable for preparing and adopting the master plan.

Before you attend

Log in with the account sent to you and change your temporary password.
Upload your flood and drainage data before Day 2's data inventory review.
Bring a laptop and your filled-in Forms A and B.