DOST-PHIVOLCS in partnership with the City Government of Dagupan conducted the REDAS EDM Training for Dagupan City last February 20-22, 2024 held at the CSI Stadia, Brgy. Lucao, Dagupan City, Pangasinan. The training entitled “Exposure Database Development Training Using REDAS Exposure Database Modules (EDM) for Dagupan City, Pangasinan” was headed by the PHIVOLCS Director Dr. Teresito C. Bacolcol, Associate Scientist and REDAS Program Coordinator Dr. Maria Leonila P. Bautista with support from REDAS Course Advisers Dr. Bartolome C. Bautista, Ishmael C. Narag, and Engr. Angelito G. Lanuza. The lectures and hands-on exercises were discussed by speakers and facilitators from various divisions of the institute. This training was conducted as second part of the “Kaligtasan for All” initiative of Dagupan City Mayor Belen T. Fernandez. The first part of this initiative was an Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Campaign on Disaster Preparedness, specifically Earthquake and Tsunami Hazards conducted last January 16, 2024. Said event was attended by a total of 810 participants consisting of Barangay Captains and council, SK Federation, Association of Engineers and Architects, Utility Agencies-DECORP, PAMANA, Fil-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, DepEd-Public school principals, Association of Solo Parents (President and the 31 Solo parent leaders), Association of Senior Citizens (President and Leaders), 4P leaders for the 31 barangays, Religious Groups and Members of the Local Development Council.
The three-day EDM training was graced by the Dagupan Vice Mayor Dean Bryan L. Kua and Director Teresito C. Bacolcol (via Zoom) on February 20. A total of 79 GeoMapperPH account credentials were issued to the participants. Nineteen (19) license keys of REDAS EDM 3.1 were given to select participants who will use the Hybrid method of exposure database development and will also serve as the database managers of their city. The participants are Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Officials and staff, City Engineers, Planners, Administrative Staff, Safety Officers, Barangay Officials and Staff, and Sangguniang Kabataan Officials of Dagupan City.
The second day (February 21) of the training was spent on lectures and hands-on, as well as fieldwork on how to conduct foot surveys in populating the Dagupan City exposure database. A total of 57 building structures were surveyed and 172 digitized building footprints were done during the training.
The last day (February 22) of the three-day training was dedicated to the Hybrid method of exposure database development using the REDAS EDM 3.1 software, an alternative way to developing exposure database for areas with poor internet connection, faster data collection and to address limited server issues. Way forward discussions were facilitated by Dr. Maria Leonila P. Bautista and Ms. Melykhen R. Bauzon, Public Alert and Response Monitoring Center (PARMC) head of Dagupan City. It was proposed that the City of Dagupan will be conducting two phases of building surveys in ten pilot barangays. The third phase will be conducted to survey the remaining 21 barangays. All the training participants will serve as the enumerators of the building surveys. PARMC and CDRRMO will be the database managers for the city of Dagupan, in which the tentative schedule of the database management session is set for May-June 2024.
