GOVPH

The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST PHIVOLCS) launches its earthquake sourcebook in Ilocano language.

The Disaster Narratives for Experiential Knowledge-based Science Communication (DANAS) Project is a collaborative initiative launched by DOST PHIVOLCS, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) in La Union, and the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV).

The launch will take place on January 14, 2025, at J&V Hotel & Resort in San Fernando City, La Union. It aims to enhance disaster preparedness in the Philippines by focusing on promoting disaster awareness using local languages, an essential to effectively convey geohazard information in culturally relevant ways. 

The sourcebook, accompanied by video materials, is based on personal narratives and experiences shared by local communities in Northern and Central Luzon who have experienced earthquakes and tsunamis. 

By emphasizing the Ilocano language, the project ensures that communities receive disaster information and preparedness tools that resonate with their unique cultural context and language. The launch will include an introduction to the sourcebook, a presentation of the video package, and discussions about the project’s goals and impact. 

In 2024, the DANAS Project also introduced Earthquake, Tsunami, and Volcano Sourcebooks with video packages in Cebuano (Mindanao and Visayas), Hiligaynon, Tagalog, and Kapampangan. These Sourcebooks are valuable resources for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) officers, educators, and local media, helping them communicate disaster messages that are both scientifically accurate and culturally sensitive. 

The DANAS Project aims to elevate the role of local languages and personal experiences in disaster risk reduction and management. This aligns with DOST-PHIVOLCS’s ongoing efforts to make scientific knowledge accessible and actionable for diverse communities. 

Additionally, the project will help improve disaster resilience by utilizing community-driven narratives and everyday language to shape public communication and capacity-building efforts. 

For more information about the project, please contact Dr. Ma. Mylene M. Villegas, Deputy Director of DOST-PHIVOLCS and Project Leader of the DANAS Project at +632 8426-1468 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..