The University of the Philippines Los Baños created the UPLB Interdisciplinary Interdisciplinary Program on Water (formerly Integrated Water Research Center), through Administrative Order No. 247, Series of 2017, as part of its interdisciplinary research thrust to RDE programs. The goal is to sustainably manage water resources for national development through interdisciplinary research, responsive policy, partnership and capacity building. One of the objectives of the UPLB-ISWC is to develop national and international linkages on water resources management through networking and partnerships with other state universities and colleges. 

Representatives from UP campuses Los Baños, Diliman, Manila, Baguio, Cebu and Visayas attended the meeting. UPLB Chancellor, In his opening remarks, Dr. Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr. highlighted the importance of addressing water security in the country.  He added that water security agenda should be pushed by the UP chancellors and must take the lead in water research since it is a vast area of study to ensure water security in the country. 

Dr. Patricia Ann J. Sanchez, Chair of the UPLB Water Program, discussed the current efforts of the university in addressing water security problems. It was followed by a workshop moderated by Dr. Agnes C. Rola, Chair of the Networking and Partnership Committee of the Water Program. Each CUs presented the issues and initiatives on water in their respective areas.

The participants agreed to have a unified database which will serves as an inventory of water-related researches. For the ways for collaboration, plan is to have a system-wide structure that will convene the research and extension agenda on water. (Jessa O. Aquino and Catherine Gigantone)