Kata Na, Infanta!: LGU Hosts Locally-facilitated GeoRiskPH Training

October 10, 2024

by: GARondin & ILuzon

Following the successful conduct of the Quezon Province Training of Trainers (TOT) on October 10, 2024, local trainers from Infanta, Quezon Local Government Unit (LGU) and the Southern Luzon State University - Center for Hazard and Environmental Resource Mapping (SLSU-CHERM), Lucban Campus, led the facilitation of the GeoRiskPH training for Infanta, Quezon, with the support of three (3) facilitators from the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) on December 10-11, 2024. A total of seventeen (17) participants from the municipal offices of Infanta, Quezon, and SLSU-CHERM successfully completed the training. The local trainers included five (5) Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (MDRRM) Officers of Infanta, Quezon - Mr. Ron P. Crisostomo, Ms. Irish Pearl M. Mercado, Ms. Ella Mae R. Resplandor, and Mr. Mico P. Recahuerta, as well as Mr. Jay Art E. Viaje, the designated database manager of Infanta, Quezon. DOST-PHIVOLCS personnel who assisted in the training were Mr. Conrado Alfonso M. Favis, Science Research Specialist (SRS) II, Mr. Ian Luzon, Project Technical Assistant (PTA) IV, and Mr. Gabriel Angelo M. Rondin, PTA IV. The training commenced with video messages from DOST-PHIVOLCS Director Teresito C. Bacolcol and Infanta, Quezon Mayor Filipina Grace R. America. The participants were introduced to the GeoRiskPH Initiative and its platforms. The sessions included an overview of building types in the Philippines, how to create an exposure database, and how to digitize building footprints using GeoMapperPH on both web and mobile applications. Participants also engaged in hands-on activities that allowed them to practice editing features, querying data, printing maps, and managing datasets. The goal of the training was to equip participants with the necessary skills and knowledge for effective data management and risk assessment. The second day of the training began with a recap of the activities from the first day. Mr. Conrado Favis discussed earthquake and volcanic hazards, during which participants actively engaged by asking questions, including updates on the recent eruption of Mt. Kanlaon. Lectures and hands-on activities on HazardHunterPH and GeoAnalyticsPH were also conducted before participants submitted their hands-on outputs for the two-day training. Two participants, Zernick G. Monarquia from the Municipal Engineering Office (MEO) and Arra F. Marquez from the MDRRM Office, successfully digitized nine hundred twelve (912) and one thousand six (1,006) building footprints, respectively. These numbers represent the highest record so far for building footprints digitized during a single training. In the afternoon session of the second day, participants learned how to convert digitized building footprints into an ESRI shapefile, which is compatible with most GIS software. The training also covered disaster preparedness and the 3 Rs of Disaster and Disaster Preparedness. Participants then drafted their re-entry action plans through a Work Planning Activity led by Mr. Ron Crisostomo. Mr. Ranjit G. San Jose of SLSU-CHERM presented his action plan, which includes organizing training and capacity-building activities for LGUs by utilizing the center's resources and GIS platforms. They plan to start this in the second semester of 2025, by which time they hope to have already forged a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with DOST-PHIVOLCS regarding the utilization of GeoRiskPH applications. As the head of the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) of Infanta, Quezon, Ms. Daisy M. Lamintao presented her action plan, which involves conducting a staff meeting with MENRO officers and personally teaching them to use the GeoRiskPH applications. The target duration for this plan is one month, set for January 2025. Once proficient, they plan to train and encourage their co-workers to adopt the platform. The training facilitators and participants were awarded certificates, including recognition for the Best Surveyors of the two-day training. To conclude the event, Mr. Anthony L. Empamano of SLSU-CHERM and Mr. Carmelo S. Francia of the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist (OMA) delivered their closing messages.