SESAM monitors environmental risks around Mt. Makiling, starts educating communities

Aug. 10, 2009 - PRLog -- This was disclosed by SESAM Dean Dr. Ma. Victoria O. Espaldon during a seminar on disaster mitigation last June 26 for officials of 10 barangays located at the foothills of Mt. Makiling.

According to Dean Espaldon, there is a need to design an effective risk communication plan which can be easily understood by those residing in Mt. Makiling's slopes.

Thus, SESAM is now in the process of planning a protocol which would timely monitor and disseminate environmental risks, as well as a quick response mechanism which will be implemented during disaster situations.

Aside from using surveys to develop an information database, SESAM is using global positioning systems, participatory geographic information systems, and participatory 3D modelling to combine the people's knowledge and experiences to come up with relief models of Mt. Makiling which indicate the location of disaster-prone areas.

The relief models, according to Engr. Marisa J. Sobremisana of SESAM, aside from storing data, will be an effective visual medium to inform people about the status of Mt. Makiling as haven for dwellers.

Aside from visiting and assessing the disaster-prone communities in the mountain, the project has already been able to facilitate the installation of a rain gauge in Bagong Silang in Mt. Makiling under the READY project being implemented by the  Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

SESAM's initiatives on disaster mitigation are being assisted by DOST-PAG-ASA, the UPLB Office of Vice-Chancellor for Community Affairs, Los Baños Science Community Foundation, Inc., National Disaster Coordinating Council,   Mines and Geosciences Bureau, and the various local government units around Mt. Makiling.

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