The DOST-PHIVOLCS PCIEERD-GIA funded project entitled Quantitative Lahar Impact and Loss Assessment under Changing Land Use and Climate Scenarios Project (QLAP) organized a webinar-workshop with the theme “Strengthening community preparedness through prediction of lahar inundation and loss estimation for the pilot communities at Pinatubo and Mayon Volcanoes” held 16 November 2021. A total of 45 participants and six observers from Pampanga, Albay, and Zambales provincial, municipal, and barangay level local government Units (LGUs), DOST-PHIVOLCS volcano observatory personnel, DOST-PCIEERD project managers, Schools Colleges and University (SUC) representatives from the Don Honorio Ventura State University (Pampanga) and the Bicol University (Albay), University of Bristol (UK) research counterparts, and Natural Environment Research Council (UK) representatives participated in the webinar-workshop (Figure 1).
The QLAP webinar-workshops aimed to provide basic information about Lahar Hazards, Impacts and Mitigation, the project introduction, and also share the project results from the key components of the QLAP including (a) LaharFlow Modelling results, (b) Developing the modified lahar damage scales, (c) Developing the exposure database of select study areas, and finally, (d) Application of hazard assessment and loss estimation on lahar impacts.
The lecture series equipped the participants with the information needed for the succeeding workshop discussions. This workshop focused on the review of existing policies and resources to strengthen community preparedness in response to lahar hazards and emergencies on a barangay, municipal, and provincial-level level using the learnings and project outputs presented. The Quick Lahar Impact Simulation Tool (QLIST), developed for the project to simulate loss estimation, was introduced during the lecture series. Participants and observers from the aforementioned LGUs were divided into 4 focus breakout groups for the workshop and the subsequent presentations of their workshop outputs provided significant insights on their future actions and plans in relation to the lahar research information provided in the webinar-workshop. To complete the workshop activity, plenary discussions spearheaded by Dr. Leonila Bautista, Dr. Mylene Villegas, and Dr. Perla J. Delos Reyes provided critical evaluation of the contents of the group workshop presentation to serve a guide and way forward for our stakeholder partners in their future disaster risk reduction (DRR) and land use planning activities.
The webinar-workshop was spearheaded by DOST Undersecretary and DOST-PHIVOLCS Officer-In-Charge Dr. Renato Solidum, Jr., REDAS Program Coordinator and DOST Associate Scientist Dr. Maria Leonila Bautista, GDAPD Chief Dr. Mylene Villegas, and QLAP Leader Dr. Perla Delos Reyes. As the developer of the REDAS Quick Lahar Impact Simulation Tool (QLIST), Project Consultant Dr. Bartolome Bautista also addressed queries on the use and features of the tool. Deputy Director Dr. Teresito Bacolcol provided the concluding remarks for the event. The speakers and facilitators for the webinar-workshop included VMEPD Chief Ma. Antonia Bornas, GGRDD Chief Arturo Daag, Danikko John Rivera, Dave Andrei Rivera, Joan Salcedo, Lucille Sanico, Lyca Tungcul, Raymond Patrick Maximo, Robjunelieaaa Lim, Valerie Shayne Olfindo, Margarita Dizon, Abigail Pidlaoan, Hanz Cesar Alejandria, John Harold Tabuzo, Ynna Patricia Aquino, Conrado Alfonso Favis, Marinel Degones, Samantha Claire Ativo, Selwyn Cabaluna Jr, Erizza Rose Santos, Vanessa Erestain, Wendellmina Gaurino, Ian Javier, John Deladia, Jordana Marie Argamosa, Noel Rosario, Jr., Sarena Tarongoy, and Hannah Torio (Figure 2). The following figures show the photos of the above speakers and facilitators.
Figure 1. Screen capture of participants, observers, facilitators and speakers during the IEC activity
Figure 2. Screen capture of participants, observers, facilitators and speakers during the IEC activity
Figure 3. Collaborators from the University of Bristol (UK)
