DRR representatives and DOST-PHIVOLCS staff during the 2021 Tsunami Summit

Three hundred (300) representatives from the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices, regional offices of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Office of Civil Defense (OCD), OCD Central Office, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and other stakeholders took part in the PHIVOLCS-organized Tsunami Summit 2021: Consultation eWorkshop for a Harmonized Program on Tsunami Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) from October 5-7, 2021.

Several experts from DOST-PHIVOLCS provided comprehensive talks on the following:

During the three-day summit, the participants were grouped into 10 clusters for the workshops, with each cluster guided by DOST-PHIVOLCS facilitators. In the first workshop, participants discussed the level of tsunami awareness and preparedness in their localities. The clusters recounted the setbacks they encountered in their efforts to undertake Tsunami DRR initiatives as well as ideas for solutions. During the second workshop, they deliberated on specific priorities for action for 2022 to 2024. The results and insights were consolidated to be used as inputs for improving the national tsunami DRR program.

The Tsunami Summit, which started in 2019,  focuses on preparing the public for the threat of tsunamis through the Harmonized National Program on Tsunami DRR. Dr. Renato U. Solidum mentioned that he hopes for the representatives of the coastal communities in the summit to partner with DOST-PHIVOLCS and other government agencies to help develop tsunami-ready communities. Since 2020, the event has been conducted virtually due to the pandemic.

Participants were also encouraged to take part in the upcoming observance of World Tsunami Awareness Day (WTAD) on November 5.