GeoRiskPH Training for Quirino Province: Strengthening Climate Resilience and Disaster Preparedness at Handa Quirino 2024
September 22, 2024
by: ILuzon

The two-day training course on the use of GeoRiskPH platform for the province of Quirino showcased a significant collaboration between the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS), DOST Quirino-Provincial Science and Technology Office (PSTO), and the Quirino-Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO). Held at the Zen Hotel in Santiago City, Isabela, as part of the Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction Management Technologies Summit - Handa Quirino 2024 on September 22-23, 2024, the event gathered 45 participants from various sectors, including the PDRRMO, Provincial and Local Planning and Development Office, Local Engineering Office, Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and National Government Agencies. The training began with Ms. Jesus Leal, Quirino PDRRM Officer, welcoming the participants and expressing her heartfelt gratitude for their involvement. She thanked everyone for taking the time to participate, stating, “Your presence here reflects our collective commitment to improving disaster resilience in Quirino.” Ms. Leal acknowledged the diverse backgrounds and expertise of the attendees—ranging from local government officials to disaster management practitioners—highlighting their shared dedication to addressing the critical challenges of natural hazards. Engr. Rocela Angelica Gorospe, Provincial Director of the PSTO of Quirino, delivered an opening remarks. Shen noted, "Quirino province is not new to hazards, but with proper training and planning, these risks can be mitigated with the use of the GeoRiskPH platform." Her statement emphasized the crucial role of proactive measures and technology in bolstering disaster preparedness and highlighted the significance of the participants' commitment to making a difference in their communities. The training program highlighted the various GeoRiskPH applications, including GeoMapperPH, HazardHunterPH, and GeoAnalyticsPH. Participants engaged actively in lectures, demonstrations, and practical exercises designed to help them utilize the platforms effectively. They were guided through signing in and utilizing the GeoMapperPH web and mobile applications. They also engaged in lectures on earthquake and volcanic hazards and the 3Rs of disaster preparedness — Readiness, Response, and Recovery — equipping them with the knowledge needed to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. Additionally, they had the opportunity to visualize their digitized building footprints using GeoRiskPH Web Services integrated into QGIS software. In a collaborative work planning session, selected participants presented their action plans and engaged in discussions on how to effectively integrate the GeoRiskPH platform into their respective offices and agencies. They also detailed their strategies and preparedness initiatives, emphasizing their commitment to enhancing disaster response capabilities. Ms. May-Ann Alberto from the Aglipay MDRRMO shared their experiences and future plans for utilizing the GeoRiskPH platform. These plans include drafting an ordinance to establish a GIS team, appointing a trained database manager to oversee data entry and collection, assessing hazard exposure and vulnerabilities in the municipality using the platform's various tools, and organizing capacity-building workshops on GeoRiskPH. During the Handa Pilipinas Quirino on September 26, 2024, certificates of completion were awarded to the participants who successfully completed the GeoRiskPH training. These certificates recognized the effort and dedication each participant put into the training, which helped them gain essential skills in disaster preparedness and risk assessment. Through this training, they are now better equipped to use advanced tools to enhance community protection and strengthen local disaster response efforts. The province of Quirino is also establishing a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based team to develop and customize a GIS for sustainable agriculture. This system will streamline the management of agricultural data, including land use, farmer profiles, crop production, and yield monitoring, improving decision-making and efficiency. Future plans include integrating this system with the GeoRiskPH platform and further strengthening Quirino's resilience, disaster preparedness, and response.