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.