The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII carried out its Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Campaign on the Results of Vulnerability and Risk Assessment (VRA) Project and Training-Workshop on Understanding Risk Exposure Maps on August 20, 2019 in San Jose, Province of Dinagat Islands.

The IEC Campaign aims to intensify awareness and provide additional technical input to the Local Government Unit (LGU) regarding Risk Exposure Analysis and its significance to its comprehensive land use and development disaster risk management planning. To date, the aforesaid IEC Campaign and Training-Workshop have been conducted in nine municipalities in the Provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur and Dinagat Islands.

During the activity, MGB ROXIII geologists discussed the following topics:
• Understanding Susceptibility Maps;
• Introduction to Vulnerability and Risk Assessment;
• Production of Exposure Maps; and
• Understanding the Risk Exposure Maps.

Below are the pre-identified groupings of participants for discussions during the workshop:

Social
Local DRRM
Local PDO
SWDO
Health Officer
Local Council Member
Local Gender and Development Officer
Local IP Representative

Emergency and Response
Local DRRM
Local PDO
PNP
BFP
City/Municipal LGOO
Local Council Member
Local Budget Officer

Infrastructure
Local DRRM
Local PDO
City/Municipal Engineer
DepEd
City/Municipal LGOO
Local Council Member
ABC President

Issues and concerns raised by the participants were noted and addressed during the open forum. Guide questions for the Workshop /Round Table discussions were given to all participants who were grouped accordingly. After the group discussion, a member presented the group output.

The VRA Technical Reports and two sets of Risk Exposure Maps were turned over to the LGU during the activity. Similarly, the MGB ROXIII IEC team distributed Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials regarding landslide, flood, ground subsidence and other geologic hazards. Apart from intensifying public awareness of natural hazards, the said materials will also aid in the effective and efficient management of disasters and reduction of casualties and damages to lives and properties.

The Office acknowledged the support given by the LGUs through the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management (MDRRM) Officers of San Jose, Province of Dinagat Islands for the successful conduct of the IEC Campaign and Training-Workshop.