Towards a Resilient Future: Provincial Local Government Unit of Ilocos Sur and DOST-PHIVOLCS Collaborate for Disaster Mitigation

March 12, 2024

by: VACabalo & GDMarigondon

As part of the disaster preparedness and resilience efforts in the Philippines, the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) conducted a comprehensive training on the use of the GeoRiskPH platforms for the Province of Ilocos Sur on March 12 to 13, 2024. The training took place at the Provincial Farmers Livelihood Development Center in Vigan City, with 148 participants from various municipalities across the province. The attendees primarily consisted of representatives from the Provincial Science and Technology Office (PSTO), Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officers (PDRRMOs), Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officers (MDRRMOs), Municipal Planning and Development Office (MPDO), and Municipal Engineering Office (MEO). Their main objective was to acquire comprehensive knowledge and proficiency in utilizing various platforms of GeoRiskPH. This included establishing their exposure database, conducting hazard and risk assessment, and analyzing data effectively. In support of the initiative, the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed by Hon. Jeremias Singson, Provincial Governor of Ilocos Sur and Dr. Teresito Bacolcol, DOST-PHIVOLCS Director with other signatories Mr. Marlon Tagorda, Ilocos Sur Provincial Administrator, Ms. Mabelline Cahulogan, DOST-PHIVOLCS Supervising Research Specialist, and Dr. Teresita Tabaog, Regional Director of DOST-Region I. Subsequently, at the launch of the program, Hon. Jeremias Singson, Dr. Teresita Tabaog, and Dr. Teresito Bacolcol delivered speeches encouraging the participants to integrate GeoRiskPH tools into their planning and decision-making processes. In light of the previous earthquake-related calamities and disasters, they emphasized the significance of disaster preparedness of the province. The comprehensive 2-day training program encompassed a combination of lectures and practical exercises. Ms. Mabelline Cahulogan commenced the training by introducing the GeoRiskPH Integrated Platforms and the importance of updating their exposure database as an integral part of their disaster preparedness efforts. The significance of utilizing exposure, and vulnerability as parameters to calculate risk was emphasized. The participants actively participated in the training sessions, which included both lectures and hands-on demonstration of GeoMapperPH, web and mobile applications, as well as HazardHunterPH for conducting hazard assessments and GeoAnalyticsPH for visualizing assessments in the form of maps, charts, and graphs to better understand the scope and prepare for natural hazards. Additionally, the training covered essential topics such as the fundamentals of database management and earthquake and volcanic hazards emphasizing the region's status as one of the seismically active areas in the Philippines. By leveraging the advanced tools and functionalities of the platforms, the participants were able to digitize building footprints in their respective municipalities using GeoMapperPH, and generate hazard assessments through HazardHunterPH and GeoAnalyticsPH. The development of 148 user accounts for participants, as well as the establishment of 32 GeoMapperPH web applications for the participating cities and municipalities, provide convincing evidence of the training's effectiveness. To foster a culture of proactive disaster management across the Philippines, the DOST-PHIVOLCS will provide technical assistance and continuous monitoring of the progress of the respective LGUs. The training serves as a demonstration of the collaborative efforts by various government agencies and LGUs in taking advantage of the available technology to bolster preparedness and resiliency in the community.