Taguig pioneers campaign in using risk maps for disasters

MANILA, Philippines - Taguig City has become the first local government unit (LGU) in Metro Manila to receive updated multi-hazard and risk maps from the Collective Strengthening of Community Awareness on Natural Disasters Group (CSCAND).

Composed of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philvolcs), the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration and the Office of Civil Defense, the CSCAND, supported by the Australian government, is actively educating local government units in Metro Manila on flood, cyclone, wind and earthquake hazards as part of its Greater Metro Manila Area Risk Analysis (GMMA) Project.

“It is indeed an honor for Taguig to be the pioneer of this important campaign. This will enable responsible parties to plan accordingly what to do before, during, and after a disaster to save lives and properties,” said Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano.

“In Taguig, we take disaster preparedness very seriously. In fact, before we received the multi-hazard and risk maps we already established a partnership with AusAid (Australian Agency for International Development) for the BRACE (Building the Resilence of Metro Manila Communities to Natural Disasters and Climate Change) Project to transfer informal settlers living in disaster risk areas in Taguig," Cayetano added.

A component of the BRACE Project, RAP is designed to encourage the appropriate preventive actions to avoid deaths, hardships and economic damage caused by natural disasters.

Dr. Leyo Bautista, Philvolcs Associate Scientist said the updated maps identify the hazards that lead to disasters such as earthquakes, flooding and cyclones.

Bautista said determining risks involves looking into the nature of hazards and evaluating the extent to which people, property and the environment are exposed based on their respective vulnerabilities.

Bautista added that through the updated maps, risk information is illustrated through risks maps which LGUs could use in formulating disastr risk reduction and management policies, help LGUs identify appropriate evacuation centers and relocation sites, prepare for comprehensive land use plans and increse the awareness and capacity of communities in responding to disaster events.

The GMMA project is designed to decrease the vulnerability of the greater Metro Manila area, including contiguous provinces such as Laguna, Rizal, Cavite, and Bulacan to natural hazards, and increase its resilience in strengthening the institutional capacities of responsible parties.

“By presenting the hazard and risk maps to the public, we will create awareness on the areas most susceptible to each hazard,” said Cayetano.

Taguig City initially recieved the multi-hazard and risk maps last Oct. 17, 2013, when it was formally launched.