DOST-PHIVOLCS Conducts Training on the Use of GeoRiskPH Platform for the Province of Lanao del Norte

May 28, 2024

by: SSBagaforo

On 28-29 May 2024, the training on the use of GeoRiskPH platform for the Province of Lanao del Norte was conducted by the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) at the Mahogany Hills in Iligan City, Mindanao. A total number of thirty-five (35) participants attended the training, composed of Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officers (MDRRMOs), and staff from the Municipal Planning and Development Office (MPDO), Municipal Engineering Office (MEO), and Research and Planning Office (RPO) of various local government units (LGUs) in the Province of Lanao del Norte, with support from Engr. Roy C. Sagrado, Provincial Science and Technology Director of DOST - Lanao Del Norte, and Dr. Teresito C. Bacolcol of DOST-PHIVOLCS. The speakers and facilitators of the training consisted of Mr. Conrado Alfonso Favis, Ms. Shania Bagaforo, Ms. Trishia Ysabel Calibat, Ms. Mara Joy Pancho, and Mr. Gerard Vann Vincent Gomez. The two-day training aimed to assist the participants to understand the geologic hazards effectively, and the use of the GeoRiskPH platform for efficient hazards and risk assessment, data collection, data sharing, and analysis in support of data-informed planning and decision-making. Engr. Roy C. Sagrado stated during his opening remarks that one of their goals for the training was to deepen knowledge and skills in hazard and risk management by fostering the exchange of ideas in sharing best practices and developing innovative solutions with experts, practitioners, and policymakers. The other goal he mentioned was to equip the participants to become trainers so they could train other technical staff using GeoRiskPH Platform for their respective LGUs. To achieve these goals, the participants were engaged in all of the lectures and hands-on activities planned throughout the two-day training session. The training session commenced with an overview of the GeoRisk Philippines Initiative, highlighting innovative platforms such as GeoMapperPH, HazardHunterPH, and GeoAnalyticsPH. The succeeding parts of the program during the first day of the training session were focused on familiarizing the features and functionalities of the GeoMapperPH web and mobile applications through a series of demonstrations. The participants gained newfound skills in creating and editing features such as building footprints as one of the primary requirements during the hands-on activities. On the side, the participants learned crucial steps in exposure database development and an overview of building topology, and database management using the GeoMapperPH application. The training program continued the following day beginning with a lecture on earthquake and volcanic hazards for the participants to be well-informed about the present dangers in the Philippines. This complemented the back-to-back lectures and hands-on activities on HazardHunterPH where the participants essentially learned how to generate multi-hazard assessments; and GeoAnalyticsPH where they can have visualization assessments and analytics using hazards and exposure in their area. Additionally, a brief discussion on the 3Rs of Disaster and Disaster Preparedness for the participants to be knowledgeable on how to prepare, respond, and recover before and after the occurrence of a disaster. The participants were also able to visualize their digitized building footprints using GeoRiskPH Web Services in QGIS software. To conclude the training session, a work planning activity was held for the participants to make and present their action plans on how they will integrate the GeoRiskPH platform into their current work. Ms. Aaronle Laurente, LDRRMO from LGU-Bacolod, and Mr. Christian Jeiel Partosa, Planning Officer from LGU-Kolambugan, presented their action plans which include integration and updating of their local data in the GeoMapperPH application to build their exposure database. They also added that it would be beneficial to their communities for accessibility and to easily determine which infrastructures are exposed to hazards. Mr. Lyle Delos Santos, GIS Mapper from LGU-Magsaysay, shared his insights regarding the training and how the utilization of the GeoRiskPH platforms could be beneficial to their municipality. To end the program, Ms. Sweet Mojica-Pia, Supervising Science Research Specialist from DOST Region X, extended her gratitude and shared that they are helping DOST to cascade all the efforts to the community so that science and technology can be accessible to everyone, not only in laboratories. She also added that after the GeoRiskPH Region X training last February 2024, it was included in their action plan to organize training for the province of Lanao del Norte, and looking forward for the participants to continue making efforts in updating their local data for them to improve their practices towards innovative resilience.