Researchers and environment managers from Regions 6, 7, and 8 were recently trained on carbon stock assessment and mapping of mangrove and terrestrial forest ecosystems.
The Training-Workshop on Carbon Stock Assessment and Mapping of Mangrove and Terrestrial Forest Ecosystems, which was conducted for the second time, was held on June 29 to July 2, 2026 at the Department of Education (DepEd) Ecotech Center, Cebu City. The training was hosted by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) through the Forestry and Environment Research Division (FERD) and Institution Development Division (IDD). This was also done in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (DENR-ERDB).
The training was intended to demonstrate and apply the standard and advanced protocols in measuring, monitoring, and mapping of ecosystem carbon stocks in mangrove and terrestrial ecosystems for researchers and environmental managers. This was directed towards the problem of insufficient manpower conducting carbon assessment studies, which results in the lack of robust estimates and information on ecosystem carbon stocks of threatened Philippine forests.
In his opening message, Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora, Executive Director of DOST-PCAARRD, emphasized the Council’s strong commitment to strengthening climate change Research and Development (R&D) as one of the most impactful ways to respond to the pressing challenges affecting Philippine forests, such as climate change and habitat degradation.
Dir. Lormelyn Claudio, DENR-ERDB Director, also shared her message of support for the training and highlighted the importance of carbon measurement and accounting in the critical understanding of the true value of our forests and mangroves in mitigating climate change.
Dr. Dalisay E. Cabral, DOST-PCAARRD-FERD Director, presented the training rationale, elaborated on the training expectations, and shared that the training was certified by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) for foresters. Mr. John Benrich Zuniga, FERD S&T program manager for Environmental Services - Climate Change, presented DOST-PCAARRD’s priority areas to help the trainees align their concept proposals during the workshop.
The first day of the training also included the re-introduction of the basics of terrestrial and mangrove forests as well as the fundamentals of carbon stock and sequestration assessment. The succeeding days focused on field data collection and methodology, data analysis, application of geospatial techniques, and introduction of novel and advanced techniques in carbon assessment. DENR-ERDB researchers: Dr. Jose Alan A. Castillo, For. Alvin S. Gestiada, and For. John Rommel F. Manahan, served as resource persons during the training-workshop.
To better appreciate the concept of carbon stock assessment, a hands-on field demonstration was also held in Cebu. The mangrove component was done at the Mangrove Propagation and Information Center (MPIC) in Cordova while the terrestrial part was held at the ERDB-CRERDEC experimental forest and clonal facility in Minglanilla.
As part of the training-workshop outputs, participants crafted and presented a concept proposal or action plan related to their learnings for possible funding and implementation in their respective offices.
Dr. Melvin B. Carlos, DOST-PCAARRD Deputy Executive Director for Administration, Resource Management and Support Services (ARMSS), ended the training with words of encouragement to all participants, for them to share and apply the useful and relevant knowledge they gained towards a more strengthened Climate Change R&D in the country.
The training-workshop was attended by 30 participants from 13 agencies and offices – Bohol Island State University (BISU), Cebu Technological University (CTU), Coastal Resources and Ecotourism Research, Development and Extension Center (ERDB-CREDEC), DENR Regional offices (VI, VII, and VII), DOST Region VII, Negros Oriental State University (NorSU), University of the Philippines-Tacloban, UP Visayas, University of San Carlos (USC), Visayas State University (VSU), and representatives from Carmen Copper Corporation (CCC).