PHIVOLCS conducted an online training entitled “Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction into the Local Development Planning Process, Contingency Planning, and Emergency Preparedness through the Use of REDAS Software for Misamis Occidental: Module 3 (REDAS Exposure Database Development)” last January 31, February 2-4, 2022. The participants were trained on developing the exposure database of their respective municipalities with the use of the REDAS Exposure Data Mapper (EDM) using GeoMapperPH.
The training was headed by DOST Undersecretary and PHIVOLCS Officer-in-Charge Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr., REDAS Program Coordinator and Associate Scientist Dr. Maria Leonila P. Bautista, GeoRiskPH Project Leader Mabelline T. Cahulogan, and REDAS Course Advisers Dr. Bartolome C. Bautista, Ishmael C. Narag, and Engr. Angelito G. Lanuza. The speakers and facilitators were Engr. Rhommel Grutas, Engr. Robinson Jorgio, Florenette B. Garcia (SOEPD), Ian P. Javier, John Deladia, Jordana Marie L. Argamosa, Noel C. Rosario Jr., Sarena P. Tarongoy, Hannah Joy Torio and Jose Vincent Cruz (REDAS Team). The speakers from the GeoRiskPH team include Conrado Alfonso M. Favis, Ynna Patricia M. Aquino and Maeryck Justinne N. Bernardo, assisted by the Technical Support team John Harold B. Tabuzo, Marjoleen Belviz, Richard Sulit, Mark Leo Sumadero and Andrew C. Ragadio.
There was a total of 33 participants who were issued a corresponding same number of GeoMapperPH login credentials. Participants were from the Provincial Government of Misamis Occidental as well as the Local Government Units of Aloran, Baliangao, Bonifacio, Calamba, Clarin, Concepcion, Don Victoriano, Jimenez, Lopez Jaena, Oroquieta, Panaon, Plaridel, Sapang Dalaga, Sinacaban, Tangub and Tudela. There were also two guest participants from Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) and 1 from DOST-PHIVOLCS.
On January 31, the pre-training orientation was conducted to guide the participants in signing-in to GeoMapperPH web browser and mobile application. The training house rules and guidelines were also discussed as well as the three introductory lectures for the Module 3 namely the Introuction to REDAS Module 3, the GeoRisk Philippines & the GeoMapperPH, and the Global Positioning System (GPS).
For the training proper starting on February 2, Engr. Rhommel Grutas gave the lectures on the Evolution of the Filipino Home, Colonial churches, and Building Materials and UPD-ICE Building Typology. Meanwhile, Engr. Robinson Jorgio discussed the EDM Attributes in the GeoMapperPH. In these lectures, the participants learned about the different building types prepared by the UP Diliman- Institute of Civil Engineering, as well as the building attributes that must be identified when assessing a particular structure. In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the participants were also taught the use of Street View which serves as an alternative to foot survey when gathering data. There were also lectures on the Data Preparation for GeoMapperPH and How to Use GeoMapperPH Web and Mobile Application. Other topics that were covered in the training were: Exposure Database Development Collection using MiVue, Introduction to the LGU’s Exposure Database, Experiences in Developing Exposure Database, and the Development of Exposure Database for Cebu City conducted by PHIVOLCS under the SWERVE Project.
For the building survey exercise, each participant was asked to digitize and survey at least four structures in their assigned municipality. A total of 281 buildings was digitized from 17 municipalities of Misamis Occidental. A total of 119 buildings was completely surveyed. These outputs were reviewed and discussed in the Data Management lecture. In this lecture, the process of counterchecking and polishing surveyed data was presented. Photo 1 shows the sample survey results done by the participants for one city and municipality namely Oroquieta City and Aloran.
The training session was successfully conducted with the participants engaged all throughout despite the virtual setup due to the ongoing pandemic. Based on the evaluation form responses, the participants mentioned that the topics were relevant and the speakers were competent and considerate. For the overall assessment of the training, all of the participants gave a rating from “very satisfied” to “satisfied”. Photo 2 shows the participants, speakers and facilitators present during the graduation ceremony on February 4, 2022 where Mr. Ishmael C. Narag, PHIVOLCS SOEPD OIC, gave the Closing Remarks.
