To strengthen geologic disaster risk reduction initiatives in the Legislative Branch, the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) held a webinar titled InfoBit sa Senado on 17 March 2021 via Zoom. Representatives from different Senate offices and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) were able to attend, with over 40 participants present.
DOST Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña opened the webinar with his welcoming remarks where he stressed the importance of understanding volcano, earthquake, and tsunami hazards in policy-making. Atty. Maria Rizza Camalig delivered a message on behalf of Senator Nancy Binay and acknowledged the efforts of DOST and DOST-PHIVOLCS in helping communities understand disaster resilience.
A panel of DOST-PHIVOLCS speakers gave the following presentations:
DOST Undersecretary and PHIVOLCS Officer-in-Charge (OIC)
Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr.
● DOST-PHIVOLCS priority programs
● Historical earthquakes and volcanic eruptions that resulted in devastating impacts
● Building resilience in a natural hazard-prone country
Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division (VMEPD) Chief Ma. Antonia V. Bornas
Geology, Geophysics Research & Development Division (GGRDD) Supervising Science Research Specialist
Mabelline T. Cahulogan
● GeoRisk Philippines
● Hazards assessment platforms: HazardHunterPh, GeoAnalyticsPH, and GeoMapperPH
● Future plans to make platforms more accessible
DOST Associate Scientist
Dr. Ma. Leonilla P. Bautista
● Rapid Earthquake Damage Assessment System (REDAS) history
● REDAS software functions
● REDAS trainings and distribution to LGUs
Geologic Disaster Awareness and Preparedness Division (GDAPD) Chief, Dr. Ma. Mylene Villegas, moderated the open forum where all questions were accurately addressed by the panel of experts. PHIVOLCS Deputy Director Dr. Teresito C. Bacolcol capped off the webinar with his closing remarks, noting the significance of hazards awareness and preparedness.
