PHIVOLCS conducted a REDAS training entitled “Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction into the Local Development Planning Process, Contingency Planning, And Emergency Preparedness Through the Use of REDAS Software for the Province of Batangas – Modules 1-3. The topics covered Basic REDAS and Seismic Hazard Assessment Module, Developing Relational Database in REDAS and REDAS Exposure Database Development. It was held last February 27 - March 4, 2023 at the Batangas Provincial Capitol, Batangas City.
The training was preceded by a pre-training and installation session through zoom platform last February 23-24, 2023. This was conducted to guide the participants in the installation of REDAS, ETAM and SRM tools as well as to assist the participants in signing-in the GeoMapperPH web and mobile application. A total of 43 REDAS, ETAM and SRM License Keys were issued for the training. The breakdown of the 43 participants were as follows: 7 from PLGUs – PDRRMO (6), ProVet (1) 36 MLGUs – Alitagtag (1), Balayan (2), Balete (1), Batangas City (2), Bauan (2), Calaca (1), Calatagan (2), Cuenca (1), Ibaan (1), Laurel (1), Lemery (1), Lipa (1), Lobo (2), Mabini (1), Malvar (2), Mataasnakahoy (1), Padre Garcia (1), Rosario (1), San Jose (1), San Juan (2), San Luis (2), San Pascual (1), Sta Teresita (1), Talisay (1), Tanauan (1), Taysan (1), Tingloy (1) and Tuy (1).
The training proper commenced with the opening remarks of the PHIVOLCS Director Dr. Teresito C. Bacolcol. He discussed the importance of the REDAS Training in helping constituents of the different LGUs to be resilient to natural disasters. Afterwards, the Batangas Governor Gov. Hermilando I. Mandanas and Batangas PDRRMO Head Mr. Joselito M. Castro gave their respective welcome messages, highlighting the importance of Disaster Risk Evaluation and Mitigation and daily punctuality in order to maximize the learnings of the six-day face-to-face training.
The first two days of the training focused on the Exposure Database Development Module (Module 3) of the training. The lectures on Philippine Building Typology and Attributes in the REDAS EDM GeoMapperPH taught the participants how to be able to identify and answer the questionnaires in the tool. Hands-on lectures were also discussed such as how to use the GeoMapperPH desktop and mobile application and Instant StreetView (ISV) in developing exposure databased. A building field survey was conducted within the Batangas Provincial Capitol wherein the participants were required to survey at least one structure using ArcGIS Field Maps of the GeoMapperPH.
For the following days, hands-on exercises on Basic REDAS Features and SQLite Parts I to V were taught to familiarize with the operation of REDAS software and SQLite Module. The participants were also taught how to use the Seismicity Catalogue and Seismic Hazard Assessment as one of the capabilities of the REDAS software. As part of their seatwork during the training, the participants were able to produce a digitized community center map in Batangas City and a simulated PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale (PEIS) map of the 1994 Magnitude 7.1 Aglubang Fault Earthquake. REDAS alerting tools such as the Earthquake and Tsunami Alerting Module (ETAM) and Satellite Rainfall Monitor (SRM) were also discussed during the training. This was the first batch wherein the updated version of ETAM 2.6.6 was taught to the participants.
The training was headed by PHIVOLCS Director Dr. Teresito C. Bacolcol, REDAS Program Coordinator and Associate Scientist Dr. Maria Leonila P. Bautista, GeoRiskPH Project Leader Ms. Mabelline Cahulogan and REDAS Course Advisers Dr. Bartolome C. Bautista, Ishmael C. Narag, and Engr. Angelito G. Lanuza. The speakers and facilitators were Ms. Ma. Antonia V. Bornas, Engr. Rhommel N. Grutas, Johnlery P. Deximo, Antonella Rosana, Deo Carlo Llamas, Engr. Dave Andrei Rivera, Lawrence Aaron Bañes, Ian P. Javier, John Deladia, For. Jordana Marie L. Argamosa, Engr. Noel C. Rosario Jr., Sarena P. Tarongoy, Engr. Hannah Joy D. Torio, and Engr. Jose Vincent E. Cruz, Jan Van Oliver Samorano, Chrisitan Jan Alonzo, Marjoleen Belviz and Nicole Jean L. Mercado. The guest facilitators included Julius Vincent Umali from DENR-MGB, Bernard Punzalan II and Sharon Juliet Arruejo from PAGASA. Atty. Kimberly Dyane Garcia-Abaya, Tonnie Ross M. Untalan, Gizelle Sardea and Richia Mae Peralta served as the coordinators from the Batangas PDRRMO.
The training was successfully conducted as the participants mentioned in the evaluation form that the training is very useful in DRRM and is an additional knowledge to them. During the impressions, a participant from Batangas PDRRMO mentioned “Lubos po kaming nagpapasalamat sa oportunidad na ito para sa pagsasanay na ito. Ang aming mga natutunan ay hindi lamang mababahagi kundi lubhang mapapakinabangan ng lahat”.
