Four applications related to disaster risk reduction and mitigation will be launched soon by the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS).
According to a recent press release, all four applications were developed under the GeoRiskPhilippines Initiative project.
GeoRiskPhilippines Initiative
It is a geographic information system (GIS) that integrates hazard maps, exposure data, and have these accessed by the public and government agencies.
The four applications are.
- GeoMapperPH
It has two modules: the GeoMapper-Exposure Data Mapper (EDM) and the GeoMapper-Situation Data Mapper (SDM).
The EDM will allow users to collect hazards, exposure and statistical information both online and offline.
The SDM will allow users to collect hazard impact information such as casualties, damaged infrastructures, pictures, and videos of disaster events.
It may be used for exposure data by the government.
- GeoAnalyticsPH
it is a statistical and visualisation tool that enables the user to generate summaries of hazards and risk assessments through charts tables and maps.
It can also perform analysis and visualisation of exposure and elements at risk to natural hazards.
It is still in the testing and development stage.
- GeoRiskPH
It will acquire up-to-date and accurate information from mandates agencies with efficiency and ease.
It is where stakeholder may access the data from the GeoRiskPH database and used it in various GIS platforms for analysis and visualisation purposes.
It will be made available soon to stakeholders upon compliance of Data User Agreements.
- HazardHunterPH
This app already launched and can be accessed through a computer or mobile phone.
OpenGov Asia recently reported on HazardHunterPH to prepare the Philippines for seismic, volcanic, and hydro-meteorological hazards.
Among the four apps, this is the only one accessible to the public.
It quickly generates initial hazard assessments in the selected location for seismic, volcanic, and hydro-meteorological hazards.
It is also helpful for businesses or those planning to put up establishments, since they would find if the area they are eyeing is at risk.
One simply needs to may type the location in the app to know if it is a hazard area.
The three other apps were made for government use, as they target to collect exposure data. Exposure data will be collected and sent to proper authorities to assess the hazard.
About the initiative
The apps were already developed. But the data are still to be contributed to them.
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) funded the project. From August 2018 to July 2019, the DOST had allotted PHP 24 million (US$ 457,140).
These apps provide a very specific location point. In other applications, for instance, not all facilities are properly located like a flag will represent the location of a school.
These apps, on the other hand, can locate a specific building in a school compound.