DOST-PHIVOLCS in partnership with DOST Region IX conducted a REDAS Module 4 training entitled “Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction into the Local Development Planning Process, Contingency and Emergency Preparedness through the Use of the REDAS Software”. It was held last May 2 via Zoom platform and via face-to-face modality at the Sapphire Room, Grand Astoria Hotel last May 6-10, 2024. The training was headed by PHIVOLCS Director Dr. Teresito C. Bacolcol, REDAS Program Coordinator and Associate Scientist Dr. Maria Leonila P. Bautista, and 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 PHIVOLCS including a guest speaker from MGB.
Online pre-training and installation sessions were conducted on May 2 to guide the participants in installing the REDAS software and other related tools such as EDM 3.0, MapDig 0.0.5, CropDAT 1.3, FLoAT 1.6 and QGIS 3.28.15 including a lecture on the Introduction to REDAS Module 4: Multi-Hazard Impact Assessment tools. A total of 59 REDAS 4.0 License keys was issued for the participants of the training. The 59 participants of the training were as follows: 12 from Zamboanga del Sur LGUs (PDRRMO (1), Bayog (1), Dimataling (2), Dinas (1), Dumalinao (1), Guipos (1), Josefina (2), Kumalarang (1), Molave (1), Pitogo (1)), 15 from Zamboanga del Norte LGUs (PDRRMO (2), Baliguian (1), Dapitan City (1), Dipolog City (1), Godod (1), Gutalac (1), Labason (1), Liloy (1), Piñan (2), Sibuco (1), Sindangan (1), Sirawai (1), Tampilisan (1)), 14 from Zamboanga Sibugay LGUs (PDRRMO(1), Alicia (1), Buug (2), Imelda (1), Ipil (1), Kabasalan (1), Mabuhay (1), Malangas (1), Naga (1), Olutanga (1), Siay (1), Talusan (1), Titay (1)), 2 from Zamboanga City, 1 from Isabela City, 9 from NGAs (DHSUD IX (1), DOST IX (5), DILG IX (1), NEDA IX (1), DA IX (1)) and 6 from SUCs (Universidad de Zamboanga (1), Ateneo de Zamboanga University (1), Zamboanga State College of Marine Science and Technology (1), Western Mindanao State University (1), J.H. Cerilles State College (2)).
The face-to-face training proper was conducted on May 6-10, 2024. It started with the opening ceremony including the opening remarks of the Regional Director of DOST Region IX Martin A. Wee.
The first day (May 6) of the face-to-face training focused on REDAS Exposure Database Development Module. The participants were given lectures and hands-on on how to conduct their own exposure database using the REDAS EDM tool. This includes fieldwork at the nearby barangay on how to conduct foot survey in populating their own exposure database. A total of 118 building structures were surveyed and digitized during the training. Lectures on database management using the REDAS EDM were also given to provide them ideas on how to manage their own exposure database after the training.
The second day (May 8) of the training focused on the use of the REDAS software including its capabilities such as monitoring tsunami and earthquakes, plotting earthquake catalogues, and focal mechanism solutions. They were also taught on how to do Seismic Hazard Assessment (SHA) using the REDAS 4.0. They were able to produce a ground shaking hazard map of a potential “Big One” scenario such as the September 1897 Magnitude 7.5 Sulu Trench Earthquake.
On the third day (May 8), PHIVOLCS Director Teresito C. Bacolcol gave a lecture on Earthquake and Earthquake Hazards. On this day, the participants were taught on how to use the REDAS Flood Loss Assessment Tool (FLoAT) using the exposure data collected during REDAS building surveys in 2023 and 2024. They were also given a Hands-on exercise on the use of REDAS MapDig where they were able to digitize parcels of crops as sample exposure data for the REDAS Crop Damage Assessment (CropDAT).
The fourth day (May 9) of the training focused on the REDAS SHAke Module. In this module, the participants were taught on how to calculate potential impact of four Big-One earthquake scenarios in their region using the REDAS software.
The last day (May 10) of the five-day training was dedicated to the culmination of all learnings during the training. In the way forward discussion, the participants spoke about using REDAS in the planning process, emergency preparedness, disaster mitigation and how to incorporate them in their existing DRRM plans. The participants also gave positive impressions during the graduation ceremony. Based on the evaluation form responses, all of the participants are either satisfied or very satisfied with the training. The participants appreciated the hands-on activities and agreed that all the topics involving REDAS and its related tools are very useful. A total of 59 participants graduated from the training course and it ended with a message from the Supervising Science Research Specialist of DOST IX Thelma E. Diego and the distribution of certificates.
