Sorsogon Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office

Prior to my entry to the DIT program of the Technological Institute of the Philippines, I was instructed to submit a concept paper on possible topic or area that I intend to tackle in my dissertation after the academic courses of the DIT Program. I was then firm on going for emphatic computing in application to Disaster Management and Response.  This was possibly because of my previous experiences in our province which has been constantly visited by typhoons and other natural calamities.  I wished to make a difference then along this area.  My first research output in the DIT program is a simulation concept that would predict the possible tracks that lava would take during volcanic eruptions with considerations to other significant parameters associated with this natural phenomenon.  I read a lot of researches along this area and found out that the concept of lava flow simulation can be modified to handle other similar natural phenomenon like flood and tsunamis. ...

For my final Immersion blog, I decided to discuss the content of my research required by the immersion program. While working in the SPDRRMO, I had a chat with one of the rescuers that facilitate Quick Response and Rescue Operations if there is a need for one in times of Calamities and Disaster.  I asked him how they were able to get the request for rescue and how they validate these requests.  They said that they treat every request as valid and they can receive these request for help through SMS normally or even Facebook.  I asked them about how they process these requests.  They told me that their primary problem is the bulk of request that they receive during calamities. These messages came all at the same time.  Some of them are valid requests, some are SPAM, some are usual messages that has nothing to do with rescue operations.  For the valid messages they categorize them as to Alert 1 (those requiring immediate attention), Alert 2 (those requiring at...

A week after the misfortune that I encountered (accidentally cutting my legs), I was able to walk again.  I went back to my usual routine in the office and worked double time to catch up with the lost time.  I happen to talk again with my mentor regarding the new technology that they are utilizing in the office especially the communication system that they use during disasters.  He showed me the two way amateur radio that they are using and allowed me to use it.  I tried using the radio using standard communication scheme that I learned years ago while I was still using amateur two-way radios (no mobile phone back then, we use radios to chat with friends).  Mr. Espinola (my mentor) told me that that device nothing different compared to the analog radio that I used before in terms of usage.  The difference is that the radio that they got is a digital radio that could reach places far better than the usual analog radios.  He said that the said communicat...

This week I was supposed to visit the different Rain Gauges strategically situated in the different municipalities of the Sorsogon Province in order to assess their status.   I was supposed to make an ocular inspection in order to make necessary recommendations in order to bring these instruments into operation.  Unfortunately I had an accident while doing some of my chores at home during the weekend.  I was cutting some woods using a powertool called grinder equipped with a circular blade designed to cut woods when it accidentally hit a hard part.  The grinder went to a sudden stop and the rotation of the motor created an impact that made me lose grip of the tool.  The blade accidentally hit my toes and lower leg. I was brought to the hospital and underwent minor surgery. I got several stitches in order to close the would and stop the bleeding.  I could hardly walk for several days.  Because of this I asked my mentor for several days off the office wh...

During my second week of stay in the Sorsogon Provincial Disaster Risk and Reduction Office, I got an opportunity to talk with the head of the agency.  Engr. Renan Dimaano, a civil engineer by profession.  He is the head of the office and the one in-charge of running the agency in attaining its objective.  He showed me the current system being utilized by the office in handling disaster and rescue operations. For disaster management, the agency needs to monitor a lot of information in order to provide good intervention and decision making.  For the rescue operation, a good and reliable communication line must be available for proper dispatch and order dissemination. For a province consisting of 12 municipalities, this will not be an easy task.  Engr. Dimaano showed me the system that they are currently using.  Most of these are provided by the national government through NDRRMC and the PAGASA-DOST.  They utilized these systems in monitoring upcoming ...

-Aris Ordonez Sorsogon Province is the last province in the south side of Luzon Island. It is part of the Bicol Region which is prone to different forms of natural disasters.  The region is a constantly visited by super typhoons formed in the Pacific Ocean.  It is also surrounded by active volcanoes that from time to time bring devastation to the region.  Flash floods and landslides are also common calamities that bring havoc to the place. These natural phenomenon can no longer be prevented and eventually became part of the lives of the thousands of residents of Sorsogon.  Resiliency became inherent to all Sorsoganons. The Sorsogon Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office is the authorized government agency of the province to provide needed response in times of calamities and disasters. The agency also has the mandate to create policies and innovation that may provide risk reduction it times of needs.  The management of such is also a...