The Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) has tied up with the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) and Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) for a project that will enhance science communication using experiential knowledge.

During the kick-off of the Project DANAS through the memorandum of agreement (MOA) signing last 02 March 2023 at PHIVOLCS Building in Quezon City, DOST-PHIVOLCS Director Dr. Teresito C. Bacolcol expressed his gratitude and hopes for the project, which will help strengthen public awareness for disaster-resilient communities.
“This collaborative effort is aimed at understanding – not just documenting – the stories of significant volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and tsunamis as experienced by communities throughout the Philippines,” Director Bacolcol said.
The Project DANAS: Earthquake, Tsunami, and Volcano Disaster Narratives for an Experiential Knowledge-based Science Communication aims to utilize lived experiences of survivors through in-depth interviews using local languages.
This project will highlight the importance of vernacular in communicating scientific and warning information by conducting interviews in Ilocano, Kapampangan, Tagalog, Cebuano, Hiligaynon, and Bicolano in order to create a communication toolkit that will be used by instructors and disaster risk reduction and management practitioners.
“We hope to make our disaster risk reduction and management initiatives inclusive and attuned to varying socio-cultural contexts in the country,” Director added.
With the full funding provided by the DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD), the said project is expected to finish in two years.