Awareness seminar on geologic hazard and disaster preparedness held in Camarines Sur 

Three towns in Camarines Sur benefited recently from an information/awareness seminar on geologic hazard and disaster preparedness spearheaded by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau in Bicol (MGB-V) in collaboration with the Bicol Office of Civil Defense (OCD-V).

The seminar was held separately in the towns of Calabanga on February 20,2008, Magarao on February 21 and Bombon on February 22,2008.

Principal speakers Arlene E. Dayao, Chief of Geosciences Division, discussed the assessment of geologic hazards and reading and making use of geohazard maps; Senior Geologist Jose Marcel S. Laud introduced  to the participants the geologic hazards and their effects; and Engineer Alvin Magdaong of OCD-V on the introduction of the Philippine disaster management system and damage and needs assessment.

The reading and making use of geological maps and the preparation of damage report after the occurrence of a disaster highlighted the seminar. The former enable the participants to read and interpret maps and serve as a guide in formulating their local disaster plan. The latter taught the participants how to fill up damage and needs assessment report forms after the occurrence of a disaster thereby giving local and national disaster officials of the government accurate idea of the extent of the damage to lives and properties in their localities.

These officials in return can determine the kind and type of assistance or aid to send in affected communities. Without such report confusion may result such that a certain community may receive so much aid while another community may not receive any aid at all.

The participants to the 3 separate seminars numbered more than 200 mostly Barangay Chairmen, Councilmen, local and some national government officials, were able to familiarize themselves with the hazards prevailing in their respective towns, the damages hazard brings along in their towns, the degree of preparedness the residents are expected to do in case of calamities and the reporting of the profile, effects, needs of assessment and initial response when disaster occurs. (LVA-Foresight  Jan-June2008 issue)