DOST-PHIVOLCS & DA-PRDP Conduct Training and Workshop on Utilizing Climate Decision Support Tools (DSTs)

September 26, 2023

by: Elynrae Soriano

As part of an established partnership, the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) and the Department of Agriculture recently concluded a training on the utilization of Climate Decision Support Tools (DSTs). This event was designed specifically for the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) and took place at the Sunlight Hotel in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, from September 26 to 29. It had the opportunity of serving a total of 64 participants, including mappers and planners from the Geomapping and Governance Unit (GGU), as well as the Local and National Level Planning (I-PLAN) component of DA-PRDP. The 4-day learning activity aims to increase the capacity and proficiency of DA-PRDP key personnel in using tools to integrate data more efficiently on climate, hazard, risk, and exposure into various subproject documents, including Provincial Commodity Investment Plans (PCIPs), Feasibility Studies (FS), and engineering designs, and later into their daily work. The resources utilized to achieve this objective within this program include the GeoRiskPH platforms, namely GeoMapperPH, GeoAnalyticsPH, and HazardHunterPH. These tools have been developed by DOST-PHIVOLCS GeoRiskPH to provide a user-friendly platform for assessing hazards and risks, as well as for collecting, managing, and visualizing data. National Project Coordination Office (NPCO) I-PLAN Component Head, Usec. Agnes Catherine T. Miranda, represented by NPCO I-PLAN Alternate Component Head Acquilyn Morillo, and NPCO GGU Head Honorio C. Flameño, PhD, regard this training as both relevant and timely. They believe there is a significant need for avenues to acquire skills and knowledge that will help streamline planning for the agriculture sector, given its vulnerability to climate change and geological risks. DA ICT Planning and Standards Division Chief Xerxees R. Remorozo supports this by expressing that it is also time for them to update their planning process in establishing contingencies for the data infrastructure of their department, as well as the climatic decision support tools they use. DOST PHIVOLCS Director Dr. Teresito C. Bacolcol, expressed his enthusiasm for the Institute to have another opportunity to extend their products and services. He emphasized, “at PHIVOLCS, we know that it is important to help our fellow kababayans to be prepared for hazards” and encouraged the DA-PRDP representatives to maximize the training and make the most of all the GeoRiskPH platforms. In dedication to enhancing agriculture sector planning, participants actively engaged in the training, learning to use GeoRiskPH applications such as; GeoMapperPH, GeoAnalyticsPH, HazardHunterPH, and PlanSmart Ready to Rebuild. They gained skills in managing geospatial data and identifying vulnerable agricultural areas, as well as being able to access disaster planning resources and acquire additional insights to make more data-informed decisions for agricultural development planning. The DA-PRDP representatives commended the GeoRiskPH platforms, particularly GeoMapperPH, for their user-friendliness and capability to generate maps and identify facilities with ease. They also expressed a strong interest in integrating HazardHunterPH into their GGU systems in the future and using these tools in their operations and workflows. Furthermore, they recommended expanding the platforms to include agricultural commodities, population data, and infrastructure information to better cater to the sector's needs. As the program concluded, Chief Xerxees Remorozo expressed heartfelt gratitude to GeoRiskPH for simplifying access to hazard maps, exposure databases, and for assisting them in completing their risk mapping for crops, as well as understanding the most suitable interventions for their projects. Overall, this workshop provided DA-PRDP with GeoMapperPH accounts and real-time database with dashboards, helping them better understand potential hazards that could impact their infrastructure development projects. The positive feedback and collaboration with the Department of Agriculture emphasize the significant impact of the protocols and platforms provided by DOST-PHIVOLCS, benefiting not only LGUs but also various sectors. Previously, the Institute successfully conducted training for the Department of Agriculture - Field Programs Operational Planning Division (DA FPOPD) on March 01-02, 2023. The success of both events strengthens DOST-PHIVOLCS' anticipation of upcoming collaborations with the Department of Agriculture, allowing them to extend technological innovations that contribute to a safer and more disaster-resilient agriculture sector.