DISASTER PREPAREDNESS. Officials of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology and the Sarangani provincial government inked a memorandum of agreement on Aug. 26, 2022 in General Santos City for the use of software that will help significantly improve disaster preparedness. The Rapid Earthquake Damage Assessment System (REDAS) software can simulate earthquake hazards, and compute and assess earthquake and other hydrometeorological impacts. (Photo courtesy of Sarangani Information Office)
GENERAL SANTOS CITY – The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) and the Sarangani provincial government has signed a partnership agreement on the use of a software application designed to improve disaster preparedness.
In a statement Monday, the Sarangani Information Office (SIO) said Phivolcs and the provincial government will be collaborating on the use of the Rapid Earthquake Damage Assessment System (REDAS) software.
Phivolcs and provincial government representatives signed the memorandum of agreement on Aug. 26 at the regional office of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in the city, the SIO said.
Engr. Allain Alcala, Sarangani provincial planning and development coordinator, and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Rene Punzalan witnessed the signing of the agreement.
In a separate statement Monday, Phivolcs officer-in-charge Teresito C. Bacolcol said: “It is important for local government in Sarangani and their residents to be aware and be prepared in terms of hazards.”
The REDAS software can simulate earthquake hazards and compute and assess earthquake and other hydrometeorological impacts, he said.
Sarangani province and its neighboring provinces and cities have been experiencing earthquakes as it is within the periphery of several earthquake faults.
“The Makilala-Malungon Fault, the Cotabato Trench, and the two active volcanoes—Mt. Matutum and Mt. Parker, are among potential earthquake generators that may affect Sarangani,” the official said.
Provincial board member Joseph M. Calanao said a resolution has been passed authorizing Governor Rogelio Pacquiao to enter into an agreement with Phivolcs. (PNA)
