PHIVOLCS conducted two sessions of the online training entitled “REDAS Module 3: REDAS Exposure Database Development” for the Province of Zamboanga Sibugay last November 9-12 and December 8-11, 2020. The goal of this module was to train the participants on how to develop their exposure database with the use of the REDAS Exposure Data Mapper (EDM) GeoMapperPH.

The first batch consisted of 35 participants from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Provincial Planning and Development Office, and 16 municipal local government units. The second batch which is also known as Module 3.5 as it was organized for surveyors and enumerators, consisted of 28 participants from the Provincial Engineering Office and 12 municipal local government units. In total, 63 GeoMapperPH accounts were issued.

To give the participants an overview of the module, the training commenced with the introduction to the REDAS Module 3 and to GeoRisk Philippines and its initiative, followed by the lectures on signing in the GeoMapperPH application on both desktop and mobile platforms. Engr. Dave Andrei Rivera gave the lectures on the main topics -- the UPD-ICE Building Typology and EDM Attributes in the GeoMapperPH. In these lectures, the participants learned about the different building types prepared by the UP Institute of Civil Engineering, as well as the building attributes that make up the exposure data of an area. A quiz where participants were asked to identify the building type of various structures was given afterwards to strengthen their familiarization on the topic. In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the participants also learned the use of Street View which serves as an alternative to foot survey when gathering data.

Data management or the double checking of surveyed data for errors and updates -- an essential part of exposure data development -- was also discussed. In this part, the participants were taught how to spot common errors and correct them in the GeoMapperPH application.

Other topics that were covered in this training are the Introduction to HazardHunterPH, Introduction to Global Positioning System, and the Introduction to the LGU’s Exposure Database. In the first batch, the newly mapped active faults in Zamboanga Sibugay were presented by Ma’am Kathleen Papiona of the Geology Geophysics Research & Development Division (GGRDD).

For the exercise, each participant digitized and surveyed at least three structures in their assigned municipality. These outputs were reviewed and discussed in the Data Management lecture.

Despite experiencing technical difficulties since the training was conducted in a purely online setup, both training sessions were successfully conducted with the participants engaged all throughout. Based on the evaluation form responses, the participants thought that the training could help them in identifying exposed elements, so they may be able to plan and prepare their constituents for resiliency.

The training was headed by DOST Undersecretary and PHIVOLCS Officer-in-Charge Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr., REDAS Program Coordinator and Associate Scientist Dr. Maria Leonila P. Bautista, GeoRiskPH Project Leader Mabelline T. Cahulogan, and REDAS Course Advisers Dr. Bartolome C. Bautista, Ishmael C. Narag, and Engr. Angelito G. Lanuza. The speakers and facilitators for the two batches were Kathleen L. Papiona (GGRDD), Engr. Dave Andrei Rivera (VMEPD), Ian P. Javier, John Deladia, Jordana Marie L. Argamosa, Engr. Nikka Marie B. Sales, Engr. Noel C. Rosario Jr., Engr. Maria Teresa G. Llera (REDAS Team), Princess Di E. Pascual, John Harold B. Tabuzo, Conrado Alfonso M. Favis, Ynna Patricia M. Aquino, and and Cheryl B. Calapardo (GeoRiskPH Team).  

Figure 3. Participants and speakers of the REDAS Module 3 and Module  3.5 Online Training for the Province of Zamboanga Sibugay