Thursday, 10 July 2025
EVENT TITLE: Planning and Development Research Foundation, Inc (PLANADES) meets with Malaysian Ambassador to Discuss Climate Change Adaptation for Sabah
July 10, 2025 | Makati City, Philippines — PLANADES met with the Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines, H.E. Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at the Malaysian Embassy in Makati to discuss climate change adaptation strategies for the state of Sabah, Malaysia. PLANADES was represented by Dr. Tabassam Raza, Dr. Meliton Juanico, Ar. Ralph Sotoridona, Engr. Dianne Joy Cathyrine Sanchez, and Mr. Clint Drew Strong. Together with H.E. Castelino, the Malaysian mission was represented by Mr. Norjufri Nizar Edrus, Mrs. Nur Farahliza Putri Naaim Yazid, and Mr. Adhwa Azmil
Photo: 1 Dr. Raza logging in as a visitor at the Malaysian Embassy in Makati
The meeting was held upon the invitation of Malaysia’s Minister of Rural and Regional Development and served as a platform for knowledge-sharing and collaboration on climate resilience, particularly in rural and vulnerable communities. Sabah, located on the northern portion of Borneo, is increasingly facing environmental threats such as rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and extreme weather events.
Representatives from PLANADES, a leading Philippine consultancy in urban and regional planning, shared best practices and technical insights on sustainable development planning, disaster risk reduction, and community-based adaptation—areas in which the organization has decades of experience.
The Malaysian Ambassador expressed appreciation for PLANADES’ willingness to contribute to Malaysia’s climate initiatives.
PLANADES emphasized the importance of integrating local knowledge with scientific data, highlighting successful Philippine models of climate adaptation that may be replicated or adapted to Sabah’s context.
Photo: 2 On the left from the front: Norjufri Nizar Edrus, H.E. Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, Adhwa Azmil; on the right from the front: Ar. Ralph Sotoridona, Dr. Meliton Juanico, Dr. Tabassam Raza, Engr. Dianne Joy Cathyrine Sanchez; Dr. Raza provides context on PLANADES and what the firm can do for Sabah
The meeting marks the beginning of a potential partnership aimed at strengthening Sabah’s environmental resilience through collaborative planning, technical cooperation, and policy support. Both parties expressed optimism about future exchanges and further cooperation to confront the growing challenges of climate change in the region.
Photo: 3 From left to right: Adhwa Azmil, Assistant Trade Commissioner; Nur Farahliza Putri Naaim Yazid, Counsellor; Norjufri Nizar Edrus, Deputy Chief of Mission; , H.E. Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, Ambassador of Malaysia to the Republic of The Philippines; Dr. Tabassam Raza, PLANADES Executive Director; Dr. Meliton Juanico, PLANADES Consultant; Ar. Ralph Sotoridona, , PLANADES Consultant; Engr. Dianne Joy Cathyrine Sanchez, PLANDES Associate Project Development Officer; Clint Drew Strong, PLANADES Administrative Assistant