PHIVOLCS conducted the REDAS Module 1 (Basic REDAS and Seismic Hazard Assessment Module) online training for the Province of Bulacan last April 4-7, 2022. This is the second batch for the province since 2021 when the first batch consisting mostly f DRRMOs were the main participants.  This time, most of the participants were from the planning offices of the province. A hybrid training set-up was observed wherein some facilitators logged in from the PHIVOLCS office in Quezon City while the other facilitators were hosted by the province in an onsite venue with stable and strong internet connection. 

The REDAS training series entitled “Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction into the Local Development Planning Process, Contingency Planning, and Emergency Preparedness through the Use of REDAS Software for the Province of Bulacan Batch 2” was headed by the DOST Undersecretary and PHIVOLCS Officer-in-Charge Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr., Associate Scientist Dr. Maria Leonila P. Bautista, and REDAS Course Advisers Dr. Bartolome C. Bautista, Ishmael C. Narag, and Engr. Angelito G. Lanuza. The Module 1 training focused on the basic REDAS features and Seismic Hazard Assessment and was discussed by the following speakers and facilitators: Dr. Winchelle Ian G. Sevilla, Miguel Florido G. Abitang, Bhenz Rodriguez, Jordana Marie L. Argamosa, Ian P. Javier, John Deladia, Engr. Noel C. Rosario, Jr., Sarena P. Tarongoy, Engr. Hannah Joy D. Torio and Engr. Jose Vincent E. Cruz. Resource speakers from DOST-PAGASA Sharon Juliet M. Arruejo and Bernard R. Punzalan II, gave lectures on hydrometeorological hazards, and the REDAS Satellite Rainfall Monitor (SRM).  Facilitators from the Province of Bulacan were led by the PDRRMO Head Felicisima L. Mungcal and her staffs  Rita A. Libiran  and Ronnel L. Santos.  Bulacan PPDO Head Arlene G. Pascual gave the one of the Opening Remarks.  Photo 1 shows the training speakers and facilitators.

The three-day training was preceded by the pre-training orientation conducted on April 4 to install the REDAS software and other associated tools such as the Earthquake and Tsunami Alerting Tool (ETAM), SRM, SQLite, and QGIS software. The following days were spent on discussing various lectures and hands-on exercises to understand and to familiarize the Basic features of REDAS, Map Reading, Earthquake and Earthquake Hazards, Philippine Seismicity and Earthquake Catalogue, Hydrometeorological Hazards, Introduction and Utilization of SRM, and Introduction and Utilization of ETAM. The participants were taught how to use the Seismic Hazard Assessment tool (SHA) of REDAS and were required to make an output on the ground shaking simulation a Mag 6.5 along the West Valley Fault. The participants produced PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale (PEIS) and peak ground acceleration (PGA) maps based on the assigned ground shaking parameters.  Figures 1and 2 show sample seatwork output of one of the participants.   An overview of the earthquake impact assessment of REDAS via the SHAke module was also presented to further display the capabilities and tools of the REDAS software. 

A total of 24 participants joined the REDAS Module 1 online training (Photo 2). The participants are from 19 LGUs of Bulacan (Angat, Balagtas, Baliuag, Bocaue, Bustos, Doña Remedios Trinidad, Guiguinto, Hagonoy, Malolos, Marilao, Meycauayan, Obando, Plaridel, Pulilan, San Ildefenso, San Jose Del Monte, San Miguel, San Rafael, and Santa Maria). Representatives from the Provincial Government of Bulacan also participated in the training. Two guest participants from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas also took part in the training. A total of 23 REDAS version 2.9M, 23 SRM version 1.0.8, and 23 ETAM version 2.5.9 license keys were issued to the participants. The training ended with positive impressions from the participants and way forward discussions on the usage of REDAS in contingency planning, emergency preparedness, and how to minimize the impact results calculated using the REDAS SHAke.