GLOBE Telecom teamed up with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) in developing a data base for 56 provinces.
The information is integrated with the Phivolcs-developed Rapid Earthquake Damage Assessment System (Redas) software, a tool that can be used in developing hazard and risk information.
“Redas, a hazard simulation software of Philvolcs that aims to produce seismic hazard and risk maps immediately after the occurrence of a potentially damaging earthquake, can be used as a tool for emergency preparedness, and contingency planning,” said Rizza Maniego-Eala, Globe chief finance officer and chief risk officer.
“Globe Telecom, as a telecommunications provider, is cognizant of the fact that availability of telecommunication services, especially during times of emergencies is critical not only in minimizing casualties but also in providing rescue and rehabilitation efforts. We hope that the effective utilization of Redas can provide deeper understanding and appreciation of earthquake hazards and risks that will hopefully lead to a more comprehensive planning and active formulation of an effective disaster prevention program and policies that will benefit not only service providers like Globe but also the entire country,” she added.
Globe provided financial support for the creation of additional Redas hazard database.
Database
The built-in database consisted of multi-hazard maps from the weather bureau and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), as well as census and base maps from government institutions.
Redas can produce deterministic ground shaking hazard maps for specific target areas and can produce liquefaction potential and landslide potential maps. It can also provide estimates on tsunami heights, inundation and arrival times; sort earthquake data by parameters; produce seismicity maps; allow users to build their own base maps and risk database; among others.
With the completion of the project, Globe is now able to access hazard maps for about 95 percent of its cell sites nationwide. This means that the company will have applicable geographic scenarios in specific areas in relation to ground rupture, ground shaking, earthquake-induced landslides, tsunami, liquefaction, rain-induced landslide, flooding, storm surge and volcanic hazards.
Hazard maps are now available for Metro Manila as well as in the provinces of Cavite, Bulacan, Benguet, Batangas, Negros Occidental, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, La Union, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Pampanga, Zambales, Bataan, Laguna, Rizal, Quezon, Palawan, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Romblon, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, Albay, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Antique, Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, Leyte, Samar, Southern Leyte, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, South Cotabato, Cotabato, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Sur, and Maguindanao.