Lingayen, Pangasinan—Governor Ramon V. Guico III will enter into and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Science and Technology Regional Office 1 (DOST 1) and the Department of Science and Technology—Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) to outline specific commitments and further enhance coordination and cooperation in disaster preparedness and response efforts in Pangasinan.
As stated in the resolution presented and approved during the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) on February 12, the signing of the MOU will be conducted in preparation for the conduct of the Geospatial Information Management and Analysis Project for Hazards and Analysis Project for Hazards and Risk Assessment in the Philippines, or GeoRiskPH.
GeoRiskPH is a multi-agency initiative led by the PHIVOLCS, funded by the DOST, and monitored by the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) from 2018–2020.
The project aims to advance and enhance the capacity of the province for disaster preparedness through the conduct of training and workshops on GeoRiskPH platforms.
“GeoRiskPH seeks to provide protocols and platforms to share hazards, exposure, and other risk information to help people, communities, local governments, and national agencies prepare and plan how to reduce the risks from natural hazards and is envisioned to be the Philippines central source of information on accurate and efficient hazards and risk assessment to help the government increase the nation’s resilience to natural hazards,” the resolution authored by SP Member Vici M. Ventanilla stated.
As stipulated in the MOU, the obligations of the Provincial Government of Pangasinan (PGP) include nominating representatives from the Local Government Units (LGUs) through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) to participate in the training and workshop, ensuring the active engagement and involvement of the participants; providing suitable venues equipped with the necessary facilities and amenities for a conducive learning environment for participants; and collaborating with the DOST 1 and DOST-PHIVOLCS in promoting and supporting the dissemination of knowledge and best practices gained from the capacity-building activities.
Regional Director Teresita A. Tabaoag will represent DOST 1, while Dr. Teresito Bacolcol will represent DOST-PHIVOLCS as director of the agency. (Ruby R. Bernardino/PIMRO)
