PHIVOLCS conducted the online training 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” last August 24-27, 2021. The main 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) using GeoMapperPH.
Following the REDAS Modules 1 and 2 which were held August 3-5,2021 and August 16-20,2021 respectively, the REDAS Module 3 Training was focused on the development of exposure database using the REDAS EDM GeoMapperPH tool, in partnership with the GeoRiskPH initiative. 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 included Dr. Rhommel N. Grutas, Ian P. Javier, John Deladia, Jordana Marie L. Argamosa, Engr. Nikka Marie B. Sales, Engr. Noel C. Rosario, Jr., and Sarena P. Tarongoy. PHIVOLCS staffs Lonell H. Pilapil, Edson Broderick P. Lim, Patricia Mari M. Villena, Jason Bryan C. De Leon, and David Joshua Santos participated as facilitators cum participants. The speakers from the GeoRiskPH team included John Harold B. Tabuzo, Conrado Alfonso M. Favis, and Princess Di E. Pascual, ably assisted by the Technical Support team Richard Sulit and Andrew C. Ragadio. Facilitators from the province of Bulacan namely Felicisima L. Mungcal, Rita A. Libiran, and Danfel P. Alipio provided support to the training team. Figure 1 shows the training speakers and facilitators.
There was a total of 19 participants from the Provincial Government of Bulacan including the Municipal Government of Bulakan, Balagtas, Bocaue, Bustos, Guiguinto, Pandi, Norzagaray, San Miguel, San Rafael, Marilao, Obando and City Government of Malolos, Meycauayan, and San Jose Del Monte. One guest participant from MERALCO also joined the training. In total, 27 GeoMapperPH accounts was issued and 20 GeoMapperPH Municipal Layers were prepared.
To give the participants an overview of the module, the training commenced with three introductory lectures on Day 0: the REDAS Exposure Database Development, the GeoRisk Philippines & the GeoMapperPH initiatives, and the Introduction to Global Positioning System (GPS). In the afternoon, the participants were taught how to sign in in the GeoMapperPH application on both desktop and mobile platforms and verification whether their REDAS software was still properly working was conducted.
For the Day 1 of the training, a lecture on the Evolution of the Filipino Home, Colonial churches,
and Building Materials was presented, followed by the discussion on the Philippine Building Typology where the participants learned about the different building types developed by UPD-ICE. 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 relation to this and in preparation for the use of the GeoMapperPH application, the Attributes in the REDAS Exposure Database Module (EDM) was discussed, where the participants learned the different building attributes found in different building types. The rest of the day was focused on the data preparation for GeoMapperPH and how to digitize building footprints using both desktop and mobile application in preparation for the data inputting the next day.
In the Day 2 of the training, the participants had a hands-on exercise on the introduction to LGUs Exposure Database using the REDAS software, as well the use of Street View as an alternative to foot survey when gathering exposure data considering the current COVID-19 Pandemic. This was followed by the hands-on demo using both desktop/laptop and smartphones where participants were able to observe how the survey questions were accomplished using the two platforms. Afterwards, the participants had the chance to experience the digitization and filling-in exercise when they were tasked to survey least four structures in the Province of Bulacan as a required output to complete the training. Figures 2a and b shows sample results of digitized and surveyed municipalities of Bulakan and San Rafael. Surveyed buildings are those colored polygons.
On the last day of training, data management or the double checking of surveyed data for errors and updates -- an essential part of exposure data development -- was discussed. In this part, the participants were taught how to spot common errors and correct them in the GeoMapperPH application. The exercise outputs of the participants were also reviewed and discussed in the Data Management lecture during this day.
Other topics that were covered in this training are the Exposure Database Development Collection Using MiVue, Experiences in Exposure Database Development of LGUs, and Exposure Database Development for Cebu City Project (SWERVE Project).
Despite experiencing some technical difficulties since the training was conducted in a purely online setup, the training was still successfully completed. Some of the way forward action plans presented by the participants include the updating of existing building footprints to be used in GeoMapperPH and updating of their Provincial Plans.
Based on the evaluation form responses, the participants were able to learn different skills and knowledge on the training. Participants shared that all the training modules were very helpful and interesting and were amazed that despite being virtual, the training was very interactive.
