To increase the level of awareness of LGUs on the utility value and application of multi-hazard maps in the mitigation and management of natural disasters, the Department of the Interior and Local Government Region 3 in coordination with, DENR-MGB3, OCD3, DOST-PAGASA and DOST-Project NOAH, is presently conducting a one-day training for LGUs on the Understanding of Multi-Hazard Maps, their Usage and Application in Local Development Planning.

   Modules of the training include the current practices on DRRM, Early Warning System, Understanding Different Hydrologic Hazards and the Basic Reading of Geo-Hazard and LiDAR or “Light Detection And Ranging” Maps. Its expected outputs are (1.) updated Barangay Hazard Map (2.) an institutionalized effective and efficient early warning system (3.) integrated risk information in local development planning (4.) increased investments in improving critical infrastructures and (5.) trained communities that are pro-active, adaptive and resilient to the risk and impacts of hazards.

   Out of the One Thousand Eight Hundred Sixty-Three (1,863) Barangays along the Pampanga River Basin, DOST-Project NOAH has identified Three Hundred Seventy-Four (374) Barangays that are considered high risk from flooding. Divided into Seven (7) Batches of Participants the training started on June 5, 2013 and will last until June 17, 2013. Experts from agencies involved were tapped to act as Resource persons namely: Mr. Michael Dumlao, Operations Officer from OCD 3; Mr. Hilton Hernando, Senior Weather Special

ist and Mr. Rommel Yutuc, Weather Forecaster from DOST-PAGASA; Mr. Noel B. Lacadin, Chief Geologist of DENR-MGB3; and Mr. Ken Adrian Aracan from DOST-Project NOAH.

   Through this activity, DILG R-3 envisions “Zero Casualty” for LGUs in Central Luzon in times of disaster and advocates the importance of being disaster prepared.

   The One-day Training is culminated by the recitation of the “Panunumpa ng Lokal Konseho ng Disaster Risk Reduction Management”.