Davao Oriental Enhances Tsunami Preparedness with New Early Warning System from DOST

Davao Oriental, Davao Region, Philippines –Residents of high-risk coastal communities in Caraga, Davao Oriental are now better prepared for potential tsunamis with the newly installed Tsunami Early Warning System (TEWS) by the Department of Science and Technology XI through Provincial Science and Technology Office (PSTO) – Davao Oriental, in collaboration with the DOST–Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS). 

The TEWS is designed to provide real-time information and warning signals, significantly enhancing the community’s ability to respond swiftly to tsunami threats. This system aims to deliver a cost-efficient yet reliable tsunami forecast, which will aid in timely disaster responses. Moreover, it serves as a visualization, interpretation, and local tsunami emergency decision-support tool for the Local Government Unit of Caraga Davao Oriental, particularly in coastal barangays prone to tsunamis.

“We are committed to leveraging technology to enhance disaster preparedness in our Region. This equipment will empower our LGUs to make informed decisions during emergencies,” said Dr. Anthony Sales, DOST XI Regional Director. 

In addition to the installation of the TEWS, DOST-PHIVOLCS conducted an Information, Education, and Communication campaign, a workshop on tsunami evacuation, and integrated the 83rd Community Tsunami Alerting Station into the TEWS.

A total of 39 participants from the coastal barangays of Santa Fe, San Jose, Poblacion, San Antonio, San Luis, Santiago, and Don Leon Balante attended the workshop. These barangays have been identified by the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office as high-risk areas for tsunamis.

DOST Davao Oriental Provincial Director, Ms. Mirasol Domingo highlighted the importance of community engagement in disaster preparedness. 

“Our goal is not only to install these systems but also to ensure that the community understands and is prepared to act on the information provided. The participation of local residents in the workshops is crucial for effective tsunami risk management,” Ms. Domingo said.

This initiative is part of the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology program, underscoring the commitment to leveraging scientific advancements for the safety and well-being of communities in disaster-prone areas.

IFI Plenary Meeting Tackles Efforts in

Effective Water Disaster Governance 

Water-related disasters management

Participants of the IFI Plenary Meeting on Water Resilience and Disasters

The International Centre for Water Hazard and Risk Management-Japan (ICHARM Japan) in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) organized an International Flood Initiatives (IFI) Plenary Meeting on Water Resilience and Disasters to discuss the current initiatives in the country to achieve effective management of water-related disasters.

The IFI Plenary meeting highlighted the water disaster platforms, systems, and models implemented in the Philippines such as the Davao Online Synthesis System (OSS) and the Hybrid Water-Related Disaster Risk Assessment Technology for Sustainable Local Economic Development Policy (HyDEPP). 

The Davao OSS synthesizes data on climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable development measures. This system also provides data and information on climate change impact assessment, real-time flood monitoring & forecasting, and inundation prediction models.

Meanwhile, the HyDEPP project creates hybrid water-related disaster risk assessment models by combining climate change, hydrological, agricultural, and economic models. It conducts objective assessments of the effectiveness of investing in disaster prevention measures.

These platforms were developed by ICHARM Japan and designed to improve the management of water-related disasters such as floods which are common occurrences in the Philippines. 

Dr. Toshio Koike, Executive Director of ICHARM Japan, highlighted the need to showcase the effective implementation of the project on the global level with the presence of high-level leaders to contribute to risk reduction and resilience enhancement against water-related disasters.

In his remarks, DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. emphasized the Agency’s efforts to build disaster capacity, increase the resilience of vulnerable sectors, and fully optimize disaster mitigation opportunities in the country. He also acknowledged the need to do more.

“We find it critically important to involve the international community in making disaster risk management an integral part of national and international development policies, programs, and strategies,” he added. 

The IFI Plenary session also provided an avenue to discuss scaling-up approaches and ways forward in developing and implementing disaster platforms.

The Davao City Mayor, Hon. Sebastian Duterte, also supported the initiative through Councilor Diosdado Mahipus Jr. In his message, he highlighted the need to utilize platforms to reduce the impacts of water disasters on the communities.

“The City Government of Davao will always support pursuits to strengthen the country’s disaster resilience and sustainability,” he added.