Mindanaotoday.com | DOST-MisOr beefs up LGU Magsaysay disaster preparedness
MAGSAYSAY, Misamis Oriental – The Department of Science and Technology-Misamis Oriental (DOST-MisOr) through its Provincial Director, Engr. Junelyn Louvena Ruiz, turned over a cheque worth P765,719 to the local government of Magsaysay in the presence of their new Municipal Mayor, Charlie Buhisan, to initiate steps in developing a disaster-ready and equipped municipality.
The project aims to capacitate and train identified personnel of the LGU of Magsaysay in mapping and data analysis through the utilization of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology – commonly known as drone which focuses to specifically use the UAV technology in (1) mapping for disaster management and response (2) search and rescue, (3) planning and (4) personnel training on hazard-prone and affected areas in the municipality.
The S&T intervention also includes training and upskilling the LGU staff in the use of HazardHunterPh, a software application developed by DOST-PHIVOLCS as a tool that can be used to generate indicative hazard assessment reports on the user’s specified location, as it aims to increase people’s awareness to natural hazards and advocates the implementation of plans to prepare for and mitigate the effects of hazards.
With Magsaysay being one of the few municipalities in Misamis Oriental that is frequently visited by typhoons, its 25 barangays usually experience river and coastal flooding, siltation, and soil erosion.
Recently, over 400 families were affected and at least 380 houses were damaged as Super typhoon Odette razed houses and communities due to massive flooding and landslides.
Through this project, the LGU would be able to provide a more efficient disaster response and management system and a technical tool in disaster planning and operations in the municipality.
The municipality can devise strategies (ideas) in preventing, countering, and handling disasters, hence, relieving the potential adverse effects of any disaster with less sickness, injuries, displacements, casualties and damage to properties. (DOST-MisOr | PIA-10 | Misamis Oriental)
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