CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, La Union – The Ilocos Region is not spared from natural hazards like typhoons and earthquakes, and to mitigate the negative effects of disasters, the Department of Science and Technology Region I (DOST-I) collaborated with other DOST agencies to highlight the importance of knowing the right information at the right time.
In observance of the National Disaster Resilience Month, DOST-I together with DZAG Radyo Pilipinas Agoo, featured the various technologies and innovations of DOST- Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) and DOST- Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI) on their weekly interview program titled Tekno Presyensya: Syensya ken Teknolohiya para kadagiti Umili, aired last month.
DOST-I Regional Director Armando Q. Ganal commended the accomplishments of the regional office and Provincial S&T Centers in the areas of Kabuhayan, Kaayusan, and Kinabukasan, particularly on disaster preparedness, before getting into the major highlight of the program.
Dr. Teresito C. Bacolcol, Director III of DOST-PHIVOLCS, talked about the technologies used to monitor, warn and alert the public in times of earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and other related phenomena like landslides. Apart from the technologies he discussed, Dr. Bacolcol also imparted the agency’s activities on public awareness, community preparedness, and disaster risk reduction.
Meanwhile, Engr. Gerwin P. Guba, Supervising Science Research Specialist of DOST-ASTI cited the technologies used by the agency to undertake research and development activities aimed at strengthening and modernizing information and communications technology and microelectronics. He shared that there are three (3) projects they are currently working on, namely: a.) Meteorological Data Acquisition Stations for Information Dissemination (MASID) Project, b.)Understanding Lightning and Thunderstorms (ULAT) Project, and c.) Philippine Earth Data Resource Observation Center (PEDRO) Center.
The guest scientists encouraged the public to be prepared at all times and keep safe at all times byn knowing the right information. Disaster can happen anytime, it is uncontrollable, however, with the right response and preparation using various technologies, its effects could be reduced and mitigated.
Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, which aims to lessen the impact of disasters through updated forecast, monitoring, deployment of Early Warning Systems, Hazard and Risk Assessment, Hazard Mapping, and effective planning, is one of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Thematic Pillars that the DOST and its partner agencies remain committed to as the lead agency. (30) (Carla Joyce B. Cajala)
