Manila, Philippines - More than 200 representatives from local government units (LGUs), communities at-risks, government agencies, and academe gathers for Padayon 2023: The Dynaslope Project National Conference. With the theme “People, science, and technology toward landslide-resilient and safe communities”, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) - Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) holds the conference on July 19 to 21, 2023 at the Bayview Park Hotel, City of Manila. The conference highlights the breakthroughs and innovations in the Philippines’ landslide science and technology. It showcases the opportunity for an early warning system (EWS) to mitigate disasters caused by deep-seated landslides.
“As part of the national agency in leading disaster prevention and mitigation, the DOST-PHIVOLCS has continued to fulfill its mandate to provide risk-informed solutions and evidence-based strategies to Filipino communities. We have made significant developments in understanding landslide risk, providing technology-based solutions, and building local stakeholder capacities for resilience-building", says DOST-PHIVOLCS Director Teresito C. Bacolcol.
The conference is organized by the Dynaslope Project, the Institute's flagship research project on deep-seated landslides. The Project provides 24/7 monitoring operations in 52 sites, situated in 27 provinces across the country. It pioneers a site-specific warning system for deep-seated landslides at the national level.
“Over the last decade, the Dynaslope Project has made notable contributions in landslide science and EWS. These innovations are being utilized by LGUs and at-risk communities to provide landslide early warning information, keeping thousands of households informed and safe from landslides” adds Dr. Arturo S. Daag, Associate Scientist of DOST- PHIVOLCS and the Project Leader of the Dynaslope.
An interactive landslide exhibit features milestone products and services of the Project. The exhibit includes generated site-specific landslide hazard maps, a scale model of locally-developed landslide sensors, and web and mobile applications for landslide monitoring.
“Through the sustained partnership with DOST-PHIVOLCS Dynaslope Project, we at the local government are equipped with risk knowledge and scientific tools that complement our effort in carrying out risk reduction programs, including the community-based early warning system for landslides (CBEWS-L). This system boosts our local capacity and gives the communities a sense of safety, " says Atty. Eunice Babalcon, Mayor of Paranas, Samar Province. Mayor Babalcon is one of the esteemed delegates of the Padayon conference.
DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. outlines the government’s prospects for landslide research and development. DOST continuously aims to strengthen its technical expertise and institutional capacity by training additional experts, producing research in landslide models and thresholds, and developing cost-effective instruments accessible to LGUs and communities.
The aftermath of the 2022 Baybay, Leyte landslide which claimed more than a hundred lives is a grim reminder of the catastrophic impacts of deep-seated landslides. “DOST remains steadfast in our commitment to implementing programs as our contribution to building the country’s resilience to disasters. The Department is extending its services to LGUs by providing technical assistance to mitigate and prepare for disasters, including landslides” ends Sec. Solidum.#
