PHIVOLCS conducted a REDAS 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 Pampanga - Modules 1-3: Basic REDAS and Seismic Hazard Assessment Module, Developing Relational Database in REDAS and REDAS Exposure Database Development”.  It was held last May 22-27, 2023 at Pampanga PDRRMC Training Center, City of San Fernando, Pampanga.  This is the second province-level training after the first REDAS training held in 2009.

The training was preceded by a pre-training and installation session through zoom platform last May 17-18, 2023.  This was conducted to guide the participants in the installation of REDAS, ETAM and SRM tools as well as to assist in signing in to the GeoMapperPH web and mobile application.  A total of 132 REDAS, ETAM and SRM License Keys was issued for the training.  The participants were from the following offices and LGUs: PDRRMO (8), PENRO (2), MISU (2), OPA (2), PASSO (1), PEO (2), PHO (2), PPDO (2) ; LGUs of Apalit (1), Arayat (1), Bacolor (1), Candaba (1), City of San Fernando (1), Floridablanca (1), Guagua (1), Lubao (2), Macabebe (1), Magalang (1), Masantol (1), Mexico (1), Minalin (1), Porac (1), San Luis (2), San Simon (1), Santa Ana (1), Santo Tomas (1) and Sasmuan (1).

For the first day of the training, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing was conducted for the provision of REDAS Software and Installation of Earthquake Intensity Meter between the Pampanga LGU and DOST-PHIVOLCS at the Pampanga Provincial Capitol, City of San Fernando, Pampanga.  The DOST-PHIVOLCS was represented by Dir. Teresito C. Bacolcol while the Province of Pampanga was represented by Gov. Dennis Garcia Pineda. Also present to witness the MOA signing are DOST-PHIVOLCS Supervising Science Research Specialist Winchelle Ian Sevilla and Science Research Assistant Jordana Marie Argamosa.  Also gracing the ceremony were Pampanga Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) Chief Angelina Blanco, Provincial Administrator Atty. Charlie Chua, Climate Change Division Chief Mr. Zacarias Daniel A. Baricuatro and the PDRRMO staffs.

During the training proper, the first two days focused on the Exposure Database Development Module (Module 3) of the training.  The REDAS EDM GeoMapperPH desktop and mobile application were introduced to the participants as tools for collecting exposure database.  Lectures on Philippine Building Typology and Attributes in the REDAS EDM GeoMapperPH were also discussed to be able to populate the entries in the tool.  The Use of Instant StreetView (ISV) as an alternative method to field survey for collecting exposure information was also taught.  At the end of the module, a field survey in Brgy. Sindalan was conducted, wherein the participants were required to survey at least one structure using ArcGIS FieldMaps to test their capability using the tool.  Photos 2 and 3 show participants conducting building survey and footprints of buildings that were surveyed.  Colors of footprint indicate the UPD-ICE building types assigned to the structure.

During the next day, the REDAS Satellite Rainfall Monitor (SRM) tool was taught to the participants, a tool that lets users monitor the amount of rainfall data at a particular time and location.  Afterwards, lectures and hands-on exercises on Basic REDAS Features and SQLite Series were taught to familiarize with the operation of the said tools. For earthquake-related topics, the Earthquake and Tsunami Alerting Module (ETAM) and Seismic Hazard Assessment were also taught to the participants.  As part of the requirements to test their understanding to the topics discussed, the participants produced a digitized community center map (Photo 4) in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga, and a simulated PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale (PEIS) map of the 2019 Central Luzon Earthquake using the REDAS software (Photo 5).

The training was a success as mentioned by most of the participants in the evaluation form.  One of the action plans of the Pampanga PDRRMO during the way forward discussion is the installation of the REDAS system in the Command Control Center of the province and the continuity of REDAS training for advanced REDAS modules. For the overall assessment of the training, 83% of the participants were very satisfied, while 17% were satisfied.  Photo 5 shows groups photo on Day 1 with PHIVOLCS Director Teresito C. Bacolcol while Photo 6 shows the graduation group photo of the participants together with REDAS Programmed Coordinator Dr. Maria Leonila P. Bautista.

The training was headed by PHIVOLCS Director Dr. Teresito C. Bacolcol and REDAS Program Coordinator and Associate Scientist Dr. Maria Leonila P. Bautista with advice and guidance from REDAS Course Advisers Dr. Bartolome C. Bautista, Ishmael C. Narag, and Engr. Angelito G. Lanuza.  The speakers and facilitators were Ms. Ma. Antonia V. Bornas, Dr. Winchelle Ian G. Sevilla, Lawrence Aaron C. Bañes, Ian P. Javier, John Deladia, For. Jordana Marie L. Argamosa, Engr. Noel C. Rosario Jr., Sarena P. Tarongoy, Engr. Hannah Joy D. Torio, and Engr. Jose Vincent E. Cruz as well as GeoRiskPH staffs Jan Van Oliver Q. Samorano, Trisha Marie Morado, Marjoleen Belviz and Conrado Alfonso M. Favis. Guest facilitators included Jethro B. Capino from DENR-MGB, Bernard Punzalan II and Sharon Juliet Arruejo from PAGASA.  Mr. Zacarias Daniel A. Baricuatro and Mr. Robin N. Francisco served as the coordinators from the Pampanga PDRRMO.

DOST-PHIVOLCS conducted a training on the “Development of Community-Based Early Warning System for Tsunami-Prone Areas of the Philippines using REDAS EDM, TsuSIM and ETAM for Moro Gulf Stakeholders”.  This is the fourth in a series of tsunami preparedness trainings being conducted by PHIVOLCS REDAS Team for tsunami prone communities since 2019.  Earlier batches were done for the Philippine and Manila Trenches. Training batches are grouped according to the associated trench system in order to foster interaction against a common threat.  For this batch, the target stakeholders were the LGUs and stakeholders facing the Cotabato Trench in the Moro Gulf region.  It can be recalled that the Moro Gulf region was the heavily affected region when the 1976 earthquake and tsunami happened.   The training was headed by the PHIVOLCS Director Dr. Teresito C. Bacolcol, Associate Scientist and REDAS Program Coordinator Dr. Maria Leonila P. Bautista, and REDAS Course Advisers Dr. Bartolome C. Bautista, Ishmael C. Narag, and Engr. Angelito G. Lanuza. The lectures and hands-on exercises were discussed by speakers and facilitators from different divisions of the institute, namely, Dr. Ma. Mylene M. Villegas, Dr. Rhommel N. Grutas, Joan C. Salcedo, Engr. Dave Rivera, Bhenz Rodriguez, Robelyn Z. Mangahas-Flores, Analyn Aquino, Jordana Marie L. Argamosa, Ian P. Javier, John Deladia, Engr. Noel C. Rosario, Jr., Sarena P. Tarongoy, Engr. Hannah Joy D. Torio, Engr. Jose Vincent E. Cruz, Conrado Alfonso M. Favis, Trisha Marie Morado, Jan Van Oliver Q. Samorano, Lemuel Austin P. Constantino, and Christian Jan I. Alonzo. A guest speaker from Office of Civil Defense, Aurora May P. Cabañeros, gave a lecture on Exercise Design. Other PHIVOLCS personnel Mabelline T. Cahulogan, Richard Sulit, John Harold B. Tabuzo and Lyle Camus also joined the training as technical support. (Fig. 1).

The five-day training was preceded by the installation and pre-training orientation conducted on May 30-31 through Zoom to install the REDAS Earthquake and Tsunami Alerting Tool (ETAM), REDAS Tsunami Hazards and Impact Simulation Module (TsuSIM), SQLite, and other associated tools such as QGIS software. The participants were also taught to sign in to REDAS Exposure Data Mapper (EDM) through GeomapperPH. A total of 44 ETAM v2.6.6 license keys, 44 TsuSIM v1.9g license keys and 44 GeomapperPH account credentials were issued to the participants. Nine of the participants are from provincial local government units (PLGUs) of Lanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Norte, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat and Zamboanga del Sur. Eighteen of the participants are from municipalities and cities of Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, City of Cotabato, Maguindanao del Norte, City of Isabela, and Lamitan City, Basilan, Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte, Zamboanga City, Kumalarang, Pagadian City, Pitogo, San Pablo, Tabina, and Tukuran of Zamboanga del Sur. Most of the participants from Zamboanga del Sur also participated in the REDAS Modules 1-3 Training for Zamboanga del Sur conducted last May 8-13, 2023. Twelve participants from national government agencies (NGAs) also participated in the training, namely, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) IX, MOST (Ministry of Science and Technology) BARMM, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Central Office, Region IX, X, XII and BARMM. Three guest participants from the province of Batangas and two participants from the SOEPD of the institute also joined the training.

The first two days of the face-to-face training (June 5-6) were allotted to the REDAS Exposure Database Development and REDAS ETAM. The participants were able to digitize a total of 1179 buildings and surveyed 136 buildings in Quezon City and Pagadian City GeoMapperPH layers. A building survey exercise was also conducted, and the participants were able to experience foot survey in Brgy. South Triangle, Quezon City using the mobile version of the REDAS EDM through GeomapperPH tool - Field Maps (Fig. 2). Buildings surveyed in coastal barangays of Pagadian City, particularly, Brgy. Santiago (Poblacion) were used in the Tsunami Impact Assessment feature of TsuSIM.

During the REDAS ETAM session of the training, the participants were taught the basic features of the tool such as Manual and Automatic downloading of earthquake data from three different sources. The tool is useful in monitoring earthquake and tsunami events not only in the Philippines, but also around the world. Some participants signified interest in installing this tool in their operation centers. The participants were also taught how to report intensities based on the PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale (PEIS) using the ETAM reporting feature. Other advanced features of the tool were also introduced to the participants such as (A) downloading and plotting of focal mechanisms (beach balls) of recent or historical earthquakes, (B) calculating of ground shaking intensities up to barangay level, and (C) simulating of Liquefaction and Earthquake-Induced Landslide potential based on a selected earthquake event scenario (Fig. 3). These advanced features are important in the rapid assessment and prioritizing of resources and response to certain barangays of highest computed intensities or liquefaction/earthquake-induced landslide susceptibilities.

Day 3 of the training was spent on lectures and hands-on activities in familiarizing about the features of TsuSIM. Participants were asked to simulate a tsunami-generating M8.1 earthquake scenario with an epicenter occurring along the Cotabato Trench Segment 2. The participants took note of the maximum wave heights and arrival times of the simulated tsunami scenario in their own localities (Fig. 4). These details were then considered in the tsunami evacuation planning of a particular barangay.

For the fourth day of the training, the participants and facilitators performed the duck, cover and hold position during the conduct of the 2^nd Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED; Fig. 5A). Lectures and hands-on exercises continued after joining the drill. Exploring the other features of TsuSIM continued in the fourth day of the training. Evacuation maps from selected barangays were presented and fruitful discussions ensued. Inputs from facilitators and co-participants were received to further improve the tsunami evacuation map of each selected barangay (Fig. 5B-C). Exposure data in Pagadian City collected from the building survey exercise of the participants were used in the impact assessment due to the M8.1 earthquake scenario. Out of 54 data managed buildings, 29 are Damage Level 3, 10 are Damage Level 2, 1 is Damage Level 1, and 14 are Damage Level 0 (Fig. 5D).

During the last day of the training, culmination of all learnings was done through the presentation of LGUs of tsunami ready indicators and way forward discussions of action plans. The 12 Indicators for UNESCO IOC Tsunami Ready Recognition form was answered by the participants. They assessed their readiness if and when a tsunami event occurs in their own localities (Fig. 6). The NGAs such as OCD, DOST, and MOST also gave inputs and pointed out their roles in the readiness and preparedness of their respective areas of responsibilities. Participants also mentioned their initiatives in populating their own exposure database to further refine impact assessment data and improve their tsunami evacuation plans.  79% of the participants were very satisfied with the conduct of the training while 21% of them assessed the training as satisfactory.

DOST – PHIVOLCS, in partnership with DOST Region IX conducted a REDAS 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 Zamboanga del Sur – Modules 1-3: Basic REDAS and Seismic Hazard Assessment Module, Developing Relational Database in REDAS and REDAS Exposure Database Development”.  It was held last May 8 - 13, 2023 at Mardale Hotel and Convention Center, Pagadian City.

The face-to-face training was preceded by a pre-training and installation session via Zoom last May 3-4, 2023.  The zoom sessions were conducted to guide the participants in the installation of REDAS, ETAM, SRM, QGIS, and SQLite tools as well as to assist the participants in signing-in the GeoMapperPH web and mobile application.  A total of 45 participants joined the training: 2 PLGUs – Zamboanga del Sur (2); 32 MLGUs – Bayog (2), Dimataling (1), Dinas (2), Dumalinao (1), Dumingag (1), Guipos (1), Josefina (1), Kumalarang (1), Lakewood (2), Mahayag (1), Midsalip (1), Margosatubig (1), Molave (1), Pagadian City (2), Pitogo (1), Ramon Magsaysay (1), San Miguel (1), San Pablo (1), Sominot (1), Tabina (1), Tambulig (1), Tigbao (1), Tukuran (2), Vincenzo Sagun (2) ; 11 NGAs– DENR-CENRO IX (2), DILG IX (2), DOST IX (5), OCD IX (2), PHIVOLCS (1).

The training proper commenced with the online opening remarks of the PHIVOLCS Director Dr. Teresito C. Bacolcol followed by the welcome remarks of DOST Region IX Supervising Science Research Specialist Thelma A. Diego. Both speakers highlighted the importance of helping constituents of the different LGUs to be resilient to natural disasters.  Photo 1 shows the group photo on Day 1 showing the participants with Dr. Bacolcol on the screen via Zoom on the left side.

The first day of the training focused on lectures related to hydrometeorological hazards and the use of REDAS Satellite Rainfall Monitor (SRM), a tool for monitoring rainfall in near real time. Most of the participants were interested on the tool and would like to install these in their operation centers. The next two days focused on the Exposure Database Development Module (Module 3) of the training.  Lectures on Philippine Building Typology and Attributes in the REDAS EDM GeoMapperPH were taught to allow participants to be able to identify and answer the EDM questionnaires about building attibutes.  Hands-on lectures were also discussed such as How to Use GeoMapperPH desktop and mobile application and How to Develop Exposure Database using Instant Street View to familiarize with the interface and functions of the tools to be used during the survey. A field survey was conducted within the barangay of the venue wherein the participants were required to survey at least one structure in the selected barangay, Bgy. San Francisco (Poblacion), using ArcGIS FieldMaps.

For the following days, hands-on exercises on Basic REDAS Features and SQLite Parts I to VI were imparted to familiarize with the operation of REDAS software and SQLite Module.  The participants were also taught how to use the Seismicity Catalogue and Seismic Hazard Assessment, the heart of the REDAS software.  As part of the requirements for the training, the participants were able to produce a digitized community center map in Pagadian City and a simulated PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale (PEIS) map of a Magnitude 7.5 Earthquake along the Mindanao Fault.  REDAS Earthquake and Tsunami Alerting Module (ETAM), along with its new features, was also discussed during the training.

The training was headed by PHIVOLCS Director Dr. Teresito C. Bacolcol, REDAS Program Coordinator and Associate Scientist Dr. Maria Leonila P. Bautista and REDAS Course Advisers Dr. Bartolome C. Bautista, Ishmael C. Narag, and Engr. Angelito G. Lanuza.  The speakers and facilitators were Ian P. Javier, John Deladia, For. Jordana Marie L. Argamosa, Engr. Noel C. Rosario Jr., Sarena P. Tarongoy, Engr. Hannah Joy D. Torio, Engr. Jose Vincent E. Cruz, Lawrence Aaron C. Bañes, Rean D. Tersol, Jan Van Oliver Q. Samorano, and Nicole Jean L. Mercado. Online Speakers for the training include Engr. Dave Andrei E. Rivera, Engr. Robinson F. Jorgio, Johnlery P. Deximo, Robelyn Mangahas-Flores, Conrado Alfonso M. Favis, and Jonard John Acid. The guest speakers from other agencies include Julius Vincent Umali from DENR-MGB, Bernard Punzalan II and Sharon Juliet Arruejo from DOST-PAGASA.  Ms. Thelma A. Diego and Tara Mae B. Balla served as the coordinators from the DOST Region IX.  Photo 6 shows the graduation photo during the last day of the training.

The training was successfully conducted as 100% of the participants answered either Very Satisfied and Satisfied on the evaluation forms.  One participant’s comment was “I like how the facilitators are very lenient with the varying capacities of the participants, very attentive to the needs and shortcomings of each and everyone, and the venue/atmosphere/tone of the training they've set to the participants. The pre-training is helpful to gauge and level off the expectations of the training.”

DOST-PHIVOLCS in partnership with Mindanao State University- Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) conducted a training entitled “Capacity Enhancement of State Universities and Colleges and Local Government Units On Hazard, Impact Assessment And Database Development Through The Use Of The REDAS Software. Specifically, this training is REDAS Module 7 covering topics related to REDAS Earthquake and Tsunami Alerting Module (ETAM) and the Satellite Rainfall Monitor (SRM).  The training was held from April 24-27, 2023 at MSU-IIT campus-Iligan City.

The training was focused on the familiarization and usage of the REDAS monitoring tools namely ETAM (Figure 1) and SRM (Figure 2).  ETAM is the REDAS module that allows near-real time access to earthquake monitoring centers like PHIVOLCS, USGS and RIMES and is ideal to be installed at LGU Operations Centers.  Users can report felt intensities to PHIVOLCS through the ETAM platform.  Earthquake intensities can also be simulated in REDAS ETAM (Figure 3) and list of affected barangays can be displayed for guide in rescue operations if needed.  In REDAS SRM, users can monitor satellite rain fall data in near real time as well as retrieve historical rain data for further analysis and use for warning.  The user can install virtual rain gauges at any site of their choice and monitor the rain in said locality. The REDAS SRM module was originally developed for lahars and earthquake-induced landslides, but is also useful for floods and rain-induced landslides.

Trainers and speakers included DOST-PHIVOLCS Director Dr. Teresito C. Bacolcol and REDAS Program coordinator and Associate Scientist Dr. Maria Leonila P. Bautista, as well as REDAS Course advisers Dr. Bartolome C. Bautista, Ishmael C. Narag, and Engr. Angelito G. Lanuza. Other speakers and facilitators included Johnlery P. Deximo, Ian P. Javier, John Deladia, Jordana Marie L. Argamosa, Engr. Noel C. Rosario, Jr., Sarena P. Tarongoy, Engr. Hannah Joy D. Torio and Engr.  Jose Vincent E. Cruz. Anne Nicole S. Dela Victoria, Rasty M. Rastrullo and Jianne Mae C. Pamintuan of the PHIVOLCS Dynaslope Project joined as guest speakers and facilitators. Sharon Juliet M. Arruejo and Bernard R. Punzalan II of DOST-PAGASA were present for this training to give a lecture about the Hydrometeorological Hazards and introduction to the REDAS Satellite Rainfall Monitoring (SRM). Ruth C. Madrideo of MGB-DENR also gave a lecture about Understanding Flood Hazard.

There was a total of 30 participants (83% male and 17% female): MSU-IIT (7); Iligan City (5), Cagayan de Oro City (2), Linamon, Lanao del Norte (3); NGA- Wetlands International (1); Guest participants- Dinagat Islands (3), Mapanas, Northern Samar (2), Tagoloan, Lanao del Norte (1), Salvador, Lanao del Norte (2) and Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija (4). A total of 32 SRM and 32 ETAM licenses were issued on this training. Participants were provided with REDAS SRM version 1.0.8 and ETAM version 2.6.6 which are the latest versions of these monitoring tools.

The opening ceremony marked the start of the face-to-face training. Installation and configuration of the tools were done on the first day. The training house rules and guidelines were discussed as well as the lectures on what to expect about the training as well as the Introduction to REDAS ETAM and REDAS SRM. The training proper for the second day covered topics on the REDAS ETAM Features Familiarization, Downloading of Earthquakes Using Different Sources, DOST-PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale, Intensity Reporting and Plotting Using ETAM, Understanding Earthquake and Tsunami Information, Earthquake and Tsunami Bulletin Downloading, Reviewing, Plotting and Archiving of Past Earthquakes. The new features of the tool such as Earthquake Catalog and Focal Mechanism Solutions, Calculating and Plotting of Barangay Intensities and Simulating and Plotting of Liquefaction and Earthquake-Induced Landslide Susceptibility Map using REDAS ETAM.  For the SRM sessions, topics that were discussed included Satellite Rainfall Data Acquisition and Preparation, Real- Time and Historical Monitoring and Exporting and Viewing of Rainfall Data. Understanding Weather Hazards, Understanding Flood Hazard, Introduction to Dynaslope Project and Determining Rainfall Threshold Values for Landslide Monitoring.  The Dynaslope Team also gave the participants a perspective about community-based disaster preparedness.

To cap off the lectures and hands-on activities for this four-day training, a workshop exercise on actual typhoon event called Odette was evaluated (Figure 4).  The participants were asked to identify rainfall threshold values at various locations along a watershed and subsequent flooding occurrence to a particular site.  The participants were also asked to discuss possible action plans at various stages of increased rainfall activities.  During the participants’ presentation, the facilitators from DOST-PHIVOLCS, DOST-PAGASA and DENR-MGB shared their comments and advices regarding the outputs of the participants.

The participants found the training remarkably interesting despite how challenging it is especially for the first time REDAS software users. They have grasped the importance of the module in giving them additional resources and new tools for hazard monitoring and research. Continuous coordination and communication through an online communication platform are also established for post-training assistance and queries. At the end of the training, 78% of the participants assessed the training as Very Satisfactory.