The Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) will launch the “Metro Davao Site Response Atlas” on April 10, 2019 at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, Davao City. The Metro Davao Site Response Atlas provides information to understand the ground motion and site response during strong earthquakes, which can be used to increase seismic resiliency of residential and medium-to-high rise buildings in Metro Davao. It compiles maps on the Vs30 Model, Peak Ground Acceleration, Short Period Microzonation, and Long Period Microzonation of Metro Davao.

DOST-PHIVOLCS will also conduct a “Specific Earthquake Project Workshop” to highlight the importance of regulating building designs in preventing loss of lives and damage to properties. The participants will identify ground conditions on site using the atlas, and estimate natural vibration of buildings to determine the existing structures that are vulnerable to intense ground shaking. These critical information will serve as guide in earthquake risk reduction efforts, and comprehensive land use planning and development.

Invited workshop participants are from the Local Government Units of Davao City, Tagum City, Panabo City, Carmen, Sta. Cruz, Digos City, and Island Garden City of Samal. Representatives from the regional offices of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB), Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines (ASEP), Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE), Mindanao Development Authority (MINDA), academe, private sectors and other stakeholders in Metro Davao will also take part.

This event is in connection with the DOST’s Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD)-funded project entitled “Specific Earthquake Ground Motion Levels to Help Increase the Seismic Resiliency of Residential and Medium-to-High Rise Buildings in Metro Cebu and Metro Davao”. Copies of the atlas will be distributed during the event. Stakeholders may also download the digital copy from DOST–PHIVOLCS official website (www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph).