PHIVOLCS conducted an online training entitled “Capacity Enhancement of Department of Social Welfare and Development on Multi-Hazard Impact Assessment through the Use of REDAS Software (Module 4 - REDAS Multi-Hazard Impact Assessment Module)”.  This was held from November 23 - 26, 2021.  The main goal of this module was to train DSWD participants on the different REDAS impact assessment tools for the following hazards: earthquake ground shaking, severe wind, flood and lahar.

There was a total of 20 participants consisting of project development officers from the DSWD Field Offices of CAR, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, REGION V, REGION II, III, VI, VIII, IX and from the DSWD Main Office – DRMB.

The training was headed by DOST Undersecretary and PHIVOLCS Officer-in-Charge Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr., REDAS Program Coordinator, 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 Perla J. Delos Reyes, Engr. Rhommel Grutas, Dave Andrei Rivera, Joan P. Salcedo, Fatima M. Moncada, Ian P. Javier, John Deladia, Jordana Marie L. Argamosa, Engr. Noel C. Rosario Jr., Sarena P. Tarongoy, and Hannah Joy Torio.  The guest facilitators included Engr. Timothy John Acosta from UPD-ICE and Meliton Pio F. Guzman, Bernard R. Punzalan II and Karlo J. Timbal, all from PAGASA.

On November 23, a pre-training orientation was conducted to guide the participants in the installation of the impact assessment tools that will be using throughout the training.  Afterwards, Dr. Rhommel N Grutas discussed the UPD-ICE Building Typology for the participants to be familiarized on the different building types in the Philippines which is important for conducting impact assessment.

The impact assessment module started with the severe wind hazard.  Engr. Acosta from UPD-ICE discussed the Vulnerability Curves used in the Severe Wind Impact Assessment.  Since the study are where SWIFT will be demonstrated was for Cebu City, Mr. Punzalan of PAGASA demonstrated severe wind hazard simulation using REDAS Severe Wind Impact Forecasting Tool (SWIFT) and using the typhoon tracks of Typhoon Nitang.  For computing the impacts, Mr. de Guzman and Mr. Timbal, both of PAGASA, taught the use of the SWERVE using Qlik Sense Tool for computing impacts.  Other impact assessment tools taught during the training were REDAS FloAT (Flood Loss Assessment Tool) using Laguna province as example with Tropical Cyclone Glenda as scenario, REDAS QLIST (Quick Lahar Impact Simulation Tool) with Albay as study area for hyperconcentrated lahar scenario and REDAS SHAke (Seismic Hazard Impact Assessment Tool) with Bulacan as sample area for a Mag 7.2 earthquake along the West Valley Fault as scenario earthquake.  The results of the impact assessment modules were numbers of population and buildings affected, injuries and fatalities and economic losses.

The participants were grouped under the four impact results from severe wind, flood, lahars and earthquake ground shaking.  Groupings were based on the hazards where the participants’ offices were located and to which they were exposed to. By knowing the impact results, they were asked to submit their office’s disaster response.  The aim of the workshop is to elicit their action plans based on forecasted science-based impact results.  Ms. Fatima Moncada and Ms. Joan Salcedo (from PHIVOLCS-GDAPD) served as the main facilitators during the workshop discussion.

The training session were successfully conducted with the participants engaged all throughout despite the virtual setup due to the ongoing pandemic. Based on the evaluation form responses, the participants mentioned that the training was very informative and useful to their respective offices.