PHIVOLCS conducted the online training entitled “Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction into the Local Development Planning Process, Emergency Preparedness, and Contingency Planning through the Use of the REDAS Software for Lanao Del Norte Batch 2 – Module 1 (Basic REDAS and Seismic Hazard Assessment Module)". This was held from November 15, 17-19, 2021. The goal of the training was to provide and familiarize the participants with the capabilities of the REDAS Software, specifically the contents of Module 1 which dealt with basic REDAS features and Seismic Hazard Assessment (SHA). The training was headed by DOST Undersecretary and PHIVOLCS officer-in-charge Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr., REDAS Programme 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 included Dr. Winchelle Ian G. Sevilla, Engr. Herminio JR D. Guzman, Miguel Florido G. Abitang , Ian P. Javier, John Deladia, For. Jordana Marie L. Argamosa, Engr. Noel C. Rosario, Jr., Sarena P. Tarongoy, Engr. Hannah Joy D. Torio, and Daniel P. Recinto. Guest speakers Sharon Juliet M. Arruejo and Bernard R. Punzalan II from PAGASA served as resource speakers during the training. A total of 30 participants (see group photo below) joined the training: 20 from the Lanao Del Norte Province and LGUs – Provincial Government of Lanao Del Norte (5), Tubod (1), Sultan Naga Dimaporo (2), Matungao (1), Linamon (1), Nunungan (1), Baroy (2), Maigo (1), Kauswagan (1), Balo-i (1), Tagoloan (1), Pantar (1), Pantao Ragat (1), Munai (2); and ten guest participants from Alabat Quezon (3) Mindanao State University- Iligan Institute of Technology (3), University of the Philippines Manila (1), Office of Civil Defense V (1). Two (2) participants from SOEPD-PHIVOLCS also took part in the said event. Participants were provided with REDAS version 2.9M, SRM version 1.0.8 and ETAM version 2.5.9. A total of 86 REDAS, ETAM and SRM software license keys was issued for this training.

A one-day pre-training orientation on November 15 was conducted. The orientation covered the verification if the REDAS, ETAM, SRM, SQLite and QGIS software were properly installed as well as the addressing of encountered errors during installation. The training house rules and guidelines were also discussed which included the guidelines in answering the required online training forms. The training proper covered topics on the Introduction to REDAS Software, Basic Features of REDAS, Basic Map Reading, Digitizing and Annotating in REDAS, Philippine Seismicity and Earthquake Catalogue, Seismic Hazard Assessment, Understanding Weather Hazards and Earthquake and Earthquake Hazards. The operation of Satellite Rainfall Monitor (SRM) and Earthquake and Tsunami Alerting Tool (ETAM) were also taught during the training. Moreover, an overview on REDAS Software as an Impact Assessment Tool and Earthquake Impact Assessment Calculation using PSA Data were presented to provide more knowledge on the capabilities of the software on calculating earthquake impacts.  AMag 7.3 earthquake scenario was modelled and the impact results were presented to Lanao del Norte participants.

The participants were required to submit their outputs during the Seismic Hazard Assessment exercise. Outputs were presented and discussed during the last day of the training.   The figure below shows a sample hands-on exercise result for a Magnitude 7.3 Earthquake along the Lanao Fault System by one of the training participants.

Based on the evaluation form responses, most of them appreciated the learnings from the hands-on exercises, the training topics as well as the fun icebreakers which somehow broke the seriousness of the topics. The participants from the provincial and local government units realized also the usefulness of the topics to their job as DRRM officers. On the other hand, participants from the academe recognized the benefits of the software to their research studies.