DAGUPAN aims to be more prepared in the event of an earthquake by seeking professional help from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Specifically, the city seeks assistance in setting up a software system as well as training for personnel of the disaster preparedness team.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) passed a resolution last week authorizing Mayor Belen Fernandez to sign a memorandum of agreement with Phivolcs on the project.

Under the proposed agreement, Phivolcs will supply the city with its newly developed software called Rapid Earthquake Damage Assessment System (REDAS), which has the capability to produce seismic hazard and risk maps minutes after the occurrence of  a potentially damaging earthquake and can guide those in government  to adopt an immediate rescue operation for the victims.

REDAS can also be utilized as a tool for integrating disaster risk reduction in the local development planning process, said Councilor Jess Canto.

Phivolcs will also provide training to selected personnel of the city government to manage the system and disaster risk reduction management in general.

Fernandez firmed up the collaboration between the city and Phivolcs when Dr. Leonila Bautista, a research specialist of that agency, graced one of the weekly executive sessions of the mayor in the early part of December.

In that session, Bautista called on officials of Dagupan to prepare a disaster plan for their people in case the Manila Trench, some 100 kilometers off Bolinao, Pangasinan,  moves at an 8.2 magnitude, which might generate a tsunami into the city as high as seven to eight meters.–LVM   

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