Tuesday, September 02, 2008 PDCC undergo hazard-mapping seminar
BACOLOR -- In a bid to effectively prepare the province in the event of disaster and similar threats, the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) and other stakeholders here have undergone a six-day hazard-mapping seminar for the province.
The National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (Namria) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is spearheading a series of information, education and communication (IEC) campaigns.
The activity, dubbed as "Seminar Workshop on the Results of Multi-hazard Mapping of Pampanga," kicked off on Monday at the King's Royal Hotel and Leisure Park.
According to Glenn Rabonza of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), the workshop will provide participants with hazard maps, which will then help them evaluate the hazards in their respective areas.
He added that by knowing the dangers they are susceptible to, municipal and barangay officials will be better equipped in making plans of actions to mitigate the adverse impacts of the hazards in their localities.
The event is also in cooperation with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), among others.
The activity also includes lectures on various natural hazards like landslides, tropical cyclones, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis.
Participants were also trained on how to use maps, how to track typhoons, how to utilize the rain gauge and how to conduct emergency drills in schools.
"It is now a paradigm shift, since it is only now that we have done a consolidated assessment of risks and hazard assessment. This in turn will provide us, different agencies and community builders, a plan and multi-hazard mapping that can be the basis of future disaster preparations and mitigation," said Director Renato Solidum Jr. of Phivolcs.
The series of seminars is the eighth to be conducted under the Ready Project after Surigao del Norte, Surigao Del Sur, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Bohol, Aurora and Cavite. (IOF)
