GOVPH

The Eastern Visayas region and the Department of Science and Technology-Region 8 (DOST-8) has signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) which sealed their partnership to underscore their collective commitment to use science-based tools for disaster, risk reduction, and resilience building in the region.

The agreement was signed during the opening of the 2025 Regional Science, Technology and Innovation Week (RSTW) held in Tacloban City on September 3-5, 2025.

Department of the Interior and Local Government Region 8 (DILG-8) Director Arnel M. Agabe said that local government units (LGUs) need science, technology, and innovation to provide them with the best data to guide them in coming up with appropriate policies in their respective jurisdictions and provide them the tools to act faster and smarter in times of disasters.

“For us, the GeoRisk PH platform is a life-saving tool. We know how critical the tool that we could use in planning for any event qualities. As far as region 8 is concerned, it should be on public safety as well as on disaster resilience because of our geographical location,” Agabe said.

GeoRiskPH is a centralized platform that provides accurate and accessible hazard data to support disaster risk reduction. Tools like HazardHunterPH, GeoMapperPH, and GeoAnalyticsPH are used to assess risks and support land use planning, infrastructure development, and emergency preparedness.

This platform will be beneficial in guiding local governments to make safer, science- based decision making, especially in Eastern Visayas where communities are highly exposed to typhoons, floods, landslides, and earthquakes.

In his message, DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. recalled the devastating impact of Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013, which claimed thousands of lives in Eastern Visayas.

“We know too well the cost of being unprepared. In 2013, Super Typhoon Yolanda claimed thousands of lives here in Eastern Visayas— a painful reminder of why we must continue strengthening hazard mapping, communication systems, and response mechanisms to better protect our communities in the future. GeoRiskPH seeks to

prevent such destruction and widespread loss of lives from ever happening again,” Solidum said.

The MOA was signed between the DOST-8, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), DILG-8, and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region 8.

With the theme “Building Smart and Sustainable Communities,” this year’s RSTW was hosted by Tacloban City from September 3-5, 2025.

The Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (RSTW) is an annual event aligned with the National Science, Technology, and Innovation Week celebration. It is one of the many initiatives of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) aimed at providing science-based, innovative, and inclusive solutions across four strategic pillars: human well-being, wealth creation, wealth protection, and sustainability. These pillars embody the mantra OneDOST4U: Solutions, Opportunities for All. For more information, visit www.dost.gov.ph. (By Claire Bernadette A. Mondares, DOST-STII)