The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII attended the Orientation on Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) for Five Component Cities of Caraga Region conducted by the Office of Civil Defense Caraga on September 2, 2016 at the Buenavista Hall of Almont Inland Resort in Butuan City.
The orientation was attended by participants from the Cities of Bislig and Tandag, Surigao del Sur and the City of Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte.
During the first session of the orientation, an overview of the Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) was presented by Mr. Amado M. Posas, Chief of the Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) Division of OCD Caraga. Engr. Lita L. Vinalay, Chief Meteorological Officer of the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAGASA) Butuan Station, discussed the revised Tropical Storm Category while Engr. Noel Ajoc of DOST Caraga explained the work and activities of their office and the use of technology for the PDRA. Mr. Jeffrey A. Ramo of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Caraga Regional Office talked about the Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment. The role of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga Regional Office in PDRA was discussed by Mr. Angel Bert A. Casimilio. The vulnerable areas in Caraga was presented by Ms. Graziella C. Harting of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Caraga Regional Office. On the last session of the orientation, Ms. Kate A. Boquilon, Geologist II, of MGB ROXIII discussed the activities and role of MGB particularly the Geosciences Division in PDRA.
As explained by Mr. Posas, Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment is important because it is the process that evaluates a hazard’s level of risk given the degree of exposure and vulnerability in a specific area. It plays a vital role in policy formulation and decision making for both public and private organizations and other stakeholders in disaster risk reduction. The said assessments are made in order to facilitate a proactive rather than reactive approach to natural disasters that would strike our country.
