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.”
