Experts team up with Isabela gov’t to push flood solutions forward
January 22, 2026
Public Information Office
Experts from Kyoto University, in partnership with Isabela State University (ISU), visited the Provincial Government of Isabela (PGI) on January 22 to advance science-based flood management solutions in the province.
The engagement was anchored on Governor Rodito T. Albano’s commitment, expressed last year in Japan, to protect the people of Isabela from massive flooding, which prompted the collaboration and on-site discussions.
The visiting delegation from Kyoto University recommended hotspot identification and flood mapping to better understand flooding conditions in the province before Vice Governor Kiko Dy, representing Governor Rodito, and PGI department heads.
They also emphasized the importance of smart governance through a centralized application system, drawing insights from Vietnam’s experience during its flood crisis, as well as the need for hard engineering measures such as storage and retention dams.
Leading the international experts are Professor Sameh Kantoush and Associate Professor Saber Mohamed from the Disaster Prevention Research Institute at Kyoto University, joined by KU’s graduate researchers, Dr. Orlando F. Balderama (Vice President for Research and Development, Extension and Training), and other personnel from ISU.
The delegation expects further discussions with Governor Rodito T. Albano in the coming months. – Isabela PIO