Globe, Phivolcs team up in developing hazard and risk information maps

Globe Chief Finance Officer Rizza Maniego-Eala shakes hands with Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum Jr. after the latter turned over Redas hazard data base for 56 provinces. They are joined by Edith Santiago, Globe Head for Logistics and Admin Support, and Dr. Maria Leonila Bautista, project leader for Redas.
(Contributed Photo)

GLOBE Telecom has teamed up with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) in developing data base for 56 provinces.

The information are integrated with the Phivolcs-developed Rapid Earthquake Damage Assessment System (Redas) software, a hazard simulation software of Phivolcs that aims to produce seismic hazard and risk maps immediately after the occurrence of an earthquake, can be used as a tool for emergency preparedness, and contingency planning, Globe Chief Finance Officer and Chief Risk Officer Rizza Maniego-Eala said.

“Globe Telecom, as a telecommunications provider, is cognizant of the fact that availability of telecommunication services especially during times of emergencies is critical not only in minimizing casualties but also in providing rescue and rehabilitation efforts. We hope that the effective utilization of Redas can provide deeper understanding and appreciation of earthquake hazards and risks that will hopefully lead to a more comprehensive planning and active formulation of an effective disaster prevention program and policies that will benefit not only service providers like Globe but also the entire country,” Eala said.

Specifically, Globe provided financial support for the creation of the additional Redas hazard database. The built-in database consisted of multi-hazard maps from Pagasa and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau as well as census and base maps from government institutions.

Redas can produce deterministic ground shaking hazard maps for specific target areas and can produce liquefaction potential and landslide potential maps. Redas can also provide estimates on tsunami heights, inundation and arrival times; sort earthquake data by parameters; produce seismicity maps; allow users to build their own base maps and risk database; among others.

“With the completion of the project, Globe is now able to access hazard maps for about 95 percent of its cell sites nationwide,” Eala said.

Following the two agencies’ collaboration, hazard maps are now available in Metro Manila as well as in the provinces of Cavite, Bulacan, Benguet, Batangas, Negros Occidental, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur and Norte, La Union, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Pampanga, Zambales, Bataan, Laguna, Rizal, Quezon, Palawan, Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, Romblon, Zamboanga del Sur and del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, Albay, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Antique, Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, Leyte, Samar, Southern Leyte, Eastern and Northern Samar, Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Davao del Sur, del Norte and Oriental, South Cotabato, Cotabato, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Sur, and Maguindanao.