As one of the member agencies of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) joins the observance of National Disaster Resilience Month (NDRM) with the theme “sama-samang pagsulong tungo sa katatagan sa gitna ng bagong normal.”

The NDRM, formerly National Disaster Consciousness Month, gears towards building resilience covering the four thematic areas: prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response and rehabilitation, and recovery per the Executive Order No. 29 issued on June 28, 2017.

In line with the NDRM, DOST-PHIVOLCS commemorated the M7.8 1990 Luzon Earthquake online. An InfoBit Webinar on Understanding the DOST-PHIVOLCS Earthquake Information was held on July 15 to familiarise and educate the viewers on the parts of earthquake information posted and released through the DOST-PHIVOLCS website and official social media accounts. On July 16, InfoSentro sa PHIVOLCS was conducted to launch its latest web-based tool, GeoMapperPH, and to provide updates on the Philippine Seismic Network. The agency also reiterated the importance of earthquake preparedness especially during the pandemic.

On July 22, DOST-PHIVOLCS kicks-off its series of tsunami information campaign dubbed as “Tsunami InfoSerye” to capacitate the public with the right information to prepare, respond, and protect oneself in the event of an earthquake and tsunami. DOST Undersecretary and PHIVOLCS Officer-in-Charge Renato U. Solidum, Jr. says “the Philippines has a history of devastating earthquake-generated tsunamis, including the 1976 M8.1 Moro Gulf Earthquake and Tsunami and the 1994 M7.1 Mindoro Earthquake and Tsunami. If the same happens now, many people are exposed and they need to be informed of what can happen so they can prepare.”

DOST-PHIVOLCS hopes to provide a better understanding of disaster risks to encourage communities to develop a culture of disaster resilience.